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