04 Aug 08 
Green Building and Materials
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Green building is the process of creating houses, offices, and other structures with the least amount of negative impact on the environment. For example, a green home is often built of renewable materials, using the least amount of natural resources, and designed to conserve water and energy when occupied.
What comprises Green materials?
(i) Are typically low in toxicity – materials with reduced toxin levels or nontoxic products that avoid using carcinogenic compounds and ingredients.
(ii) Give off minimal emissions – low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
(iii) The use of recycled materials and materials that can be recycled at the end of their useful life, or reused (salvaged).
(iv) To be resource efficient – products designed to conserve energy, minimize waste, and reduce green house gas emissions.
Did you know?
(i) Every day we use an average of 140 – 170 gallons of water per person.
(ii) 27 percent of our domestic water use is from bathing/showering.
(iii) If every American home had a leaky faucet, that dripped once every second, a total of 928 million gallons of water would be wasted every day.
(iv) Every toilet flush uses 6.5 gallons of water – close to 900 gallons per week by the average household.
(v) Allowing the water to run while brushing your teeth wastes about 5 gallons of water.
For more water conservation and usage facts, visit Sunnyslope County Water District Water Conservation Facts and Tips.
Tags: carcinogenic compounds, cfcs, chlorofluorocarbons, efficiency, energy reduction, green building, green homes, green materials, recycled materials, salvaged materials, sunnyslope county water district, vocs, volatile organic compounds, water conservation
Reader's Comments
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Green home building is so much more than just conserving resources, as you say.
If we build with toxic materials, we lose our health while gaining a new home - not much of a tradeoff!
We can have the best of both worlds…. non toxic, energy efficient, resource conserving homes that are a joy to reside in.
Thanks for your comments.
Another thing green builders need to do is re-use gray water. This may not be an option in some cities due to codes, but builders need to lead the way. Cities don’t like gray water being used for irrigation because of chemicals that go down drains, but new homes can be plumed in such a way that they will re-use the gray water inside the house.
@Sam- That is a pretty good idea, but I wonder if the consumer would get the wrong impression of Gray water especially if some cities ban the technique. However I am sure that it would save them on their water bill every month.
I really like this blog !
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I consider GREEN building not just the least impact on the environment (which is FANTASTIC) but also a healthy home for its occupants by having good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency for both occupant comfort as well as lower impact on the environment. Building site specific, to take advantage of breezes & passive solar; using low water use toilets, greywater reuse; using low or no VOC materials; using recycled & sustainable materials; building a tight, well-insulated home; using landscaping design to help with energy efficiency and water use- all are features that make a home GREEN.
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It’s cool to see that you are writing an article about Green materials. I’m currently living out in Japan and they actually do not use so many green materials. Only in some cases I have seen green in use.
There is one case where they are using a full community of green roof top patios with loads of plants. These large green roof tops are used as parks in the area as the residents only see concrete all day long and need some nature to balance out.
Nice post keep it up!
kevs last blog post..Small Bathroom Design - Use Photos
I am glad that people are starting to incorporate green into their homes. It takes the individuals to start the movement and then the corporations will follow suit.
Thanks for interesting information about green buildings and materials, we must take care about our environment, and green buildings its a great chance for us to live in a healthy house and reduce negative influences by environment.
Every day we use an average of 140 – 170 gallons of water per person - is this really true? I couldn’t imagine where I have been using such an amount
Making your house green not only benefits you but also the planet. Going green can help you save money on your bills and also decrease your impact on the environment which everyone including the planet benefits from.
Taking little steps with your water use can have a giant effect on the amount of water that is consumed. Small things like not leaving the water running while doing dishes and brushing your teeth. If you knock 5 minutes off of every shower you take. These little steps add up to big savings for everyone.