Wow. There were 28,000-plus attendees from 75 different countries that attended GreenBuild Expo 2009 in Phoenix!
As I walked the floor of the GreenBuild Expo and spoke with vendor after vendor about new and innovative ways to build projects that lay down a smaller carbon footprint, I was excited. This whole concept of sustainable construction has evolved from a fringe niche practice by a bunch of ex-hippies in the remote areas of New Mexico to mainstream thinking used around the world. For the construction industry, the Green Movement has brought us:
· Better windows and doors. · More efficient insulation and better building envelops. · Better waste water management techniques. · More utilization of natural light. · Waterless urinals and water conserving toilets. · Easily renewable bamboo and cork flooring. · Smarter landscaping decisions. · Use of locally manufactured materials. · Improve interior air quality by reducing volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from interior finishes.
It’s becoming clear that within the construction business industry, it’s the fastest and strongest growing market. Green related revenue has grown from $2 billion in 2002 to $67 billion so far in 2009, according to a speech given by Al Gore at the event.
Nations like Italy, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and others have adopted sustainable building standards following the lead of the United States Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.
So, what are you doing to help improve the sustainability of the projects you build? What are you finding that is both energy efficient and practical? In other words, how are you becoming part of the Green Revolution?
William E.RogersACP William Rogers is the executive director of the Plasterers and Cement Masons Job Corps Training Program, a national training opportunity for America’s disadvantaged youth, sponsored by a partnership between AWCI, OPCMIA and the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Title: Texas Home Builder Makes Bold Leap in Down Market by Adding Features, Going Green By: Bill Rogers Posted: November 22, 2009 3:38 PM
"While most of the nation is bemoaning
the state of the housing industry, one Texas builder's 2007 sales were a 21
percent increase over the previous year, and it expects an even bigger
increase in sales and profits this year."
Title: Reducing and compacting EPS waste By: MXMouldings Posted: November 24, 2009 9:59 PM
We're a manufacturer of EPS architectural mouldings. Over the last year, we have been successful in reducing our waste to just 2%.
We then use an EPS compactor which reduces volume and increases density. Before using this system, our trucks would transport approx 5,000 lbs of waste at a time.
Once at the recycling plant, our waste is transformed into various plastic products such as bottles, trays and bins.
Title: Green building materials By: Bruce Bell Posted: December 2, 2009 12:26 PM
Bill, one of the most intriguing reversals of normal building standards is the use of insulation on the exterior of buildings, installing rigid foam insulation under a three-coat plaster system. We are working on several projects with this system specified and the first one in Northern California was built by one of my CLPCA contractors, with inspections by the Bureau. The insulation acted as a buffer from structural movement stress. The plaster performed wonderfully. Proving that green building and Plaster are a perfect match. cheers
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By: Bill Rogers
Posted: November 22, 2009 3:38 PM
the state of the housing industry, one Texas builder's 2007 sales were a 21
percent increase over the previous year, and it expects an even bigger
increase in sales and profits this year."
Link => Texas Home Builder Makes Bold Leap in Down Market by Adding Features, Going Green
By: MXMouldings
Posted: November 24, 2009 9:59 PM
We then use an EPS compactor which reduces volume and increases density. Before using this system, our trucks would transport approx 5,000 lbs of waste at a time.
Once at the recycling plant, our waste is transformed into various plastic products such as bottles, trays and bins.
By: Bruce Bell
Posted: December 2, 2009 12:26 PM