It has a very vertical design with living and private zones situated on multiple separate floors. It’s a consequence of a steep hillside site where the house was built. It provides for numerous outdoor and covered terraces and balconies capitalize on stunning views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline beyond.

It was built by McDonald Construction & Development, the firm behind several other LEED Platinum projects. The rich and contemporary residence spans four levels on a hill and incorporates a number of green elements and ideas from various companies.

It uses passive solar and geothermal green sources in order to produce additional power as well as the solar thermal cells to heat the water. The heated water is also used to provide hydronic heating underneath the engineered Veneer hardwood flooring. In order to lessen the consumption of water, the house has low-flow toilets, faucets, and shower fixtures.

During the construction, majority of the materials were locally sourced and recycled content materials. They used high fly ash in all the concrete and they used reclaimed exposed timber framing. Recycled concrete counter tops, sinks, tubs and surfaces as well as recycled standing metal seam roofing were used.

The house is insulated with spray foam insulation made from beet resins and efficient aluminum-framed windows which are thermally broken, double paned and with low E. Efficient LED lighting as well as the whole house automation and lighting system are used in order to save the power. In order to keep the indoors healthy, they used zero VOC paints and finishes as well as an innovative air recirculation system.

source: http://www.robaid.com/tech/green-architecture-hillside-house-marin-county-california.htm

Green living is the wave of the future and sales of natural flooring materials are booming. Bamboo flooring has become extremely popular. It has a similar look of a traditional wood floor but without it affecting the environment in a harmful way.

Natural bamboo is a member of the grass family which means it grows rapidly and the plant is not killed when cut. It continues to be harvested over and over again, taking only about four years to reach 20 yards or more.

There is nothing to give up with using bamboo versus wood – in fact, there is much to be gained. Not only is it environmentally friendly being a green product, it is also tough and durable. It is 27 % harder than oak and 13 % harder than maple. It is also known to be a healthy alternative because there is not the presence of PVC’s like in wood. With the concerns over allergens and air quality, bamboo is a better choice.

Installation is completed in the same way as other wood flooring. The manufacturing process makes the flooring just as smooth as any other hardwood or laminate. And, because the bamboo is composed of complex fibers, it doesn’t absorb moisture as easily as wood. This makes it a great green product to use in the kitchen where spills often occur.

Retailers offer a wide range of available styles and colors. Some large suppliers offer online ordering. This way you can order samples from them and after matching them up with your decor you simply order right from home.

Some of the large suppliers are: Bamboo Garden, Envirochoice, Far East, Ming Dynasty, Panda Lumber, Premium Green, Preswick, Springwood, Westhollow and Woodstock.

Today’s opening of the 88th New York Public Library branch in Battery City Park is the first of its kind in Manhattan to go green.
What makes the two-story building so environmentally friendly is the installation of low-energy heating and cooling system, low-energy lighting, and low-flow sinks and toilets.

“ The striking new environmentally friendly library in Battery Park City is sure to quickly become a beacon for the community, ” said Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library. “ At a time when people are depending on libraries more then ever for free resources and job assistance the library is a crucial resource for the neighborhood.”

The 10,000 square-foot green buildingwas designed by the firm 1100 Architects and is located at 175 North End Avenue, where visitors can see views of the Hudson River.

Tables, chairs, carpeting, and flooring were constructed with recyclable material such as off-cuts from window frames, old truck tires, belt buckles, parachute straps, and other previously used items.
Investment banking group Goldman Sachs gave a private donation of $3.5 million, while state and city funding covered the rest of the $6.7 million project.

Other features of the library include: 36 public-access computers, separate reading areas for kids, young adults, and adults, and a multi-use programming center on the second floor with two self-check out machines.

source: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/First-Green-NYC-Public-Library-Opens-88450062.html

A typical car wash can use as much as 150 gallons of water, but what if we told you your car could regain its luster with just ounces of water? It sounds hard to believe but one Charlottesville car detailing company uses only 10 ounces of water to clean an entire car inside and out.

It’s another step in the movement to go green – washing your car with the environment in mind. Virginia “Ecological Detailing” in Charlottesville uses minimal water, just 10 ounces for a full detail.

Owner Robert Kirkpatrick said, ” We shampoo carpets and the floor mats, vacuum the whole interior out, turn around and wash down the leather seats, and then shine the leather seats and of course we vacuum the trunk area and shampoo the trunk area also. ”

They use all plant based cleaning products. Ashley Williams of Virginia Ecological Detailing said, ” Instead of water-based we are actually soy-based, which actually conserves a lot of water and it’s better for the environment. ”

Equipment is minimal too, re-usable micro fiber cloths and battery powered vacuums is all they need.

source: http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=12142036

Go Green Expo, the nation’s largest eco-friendly trade and consumer lifestyle showcase, returns to New York on March 19 – 21, 2010, as part of a nationwide tour that also includes Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Building on last year’s success, Go Green Expo 2010–which provides a comprehensive look at the growing green revolution–is expected to attract thousands to this year’s event.

Go Green Expo invites business leaders, eco-minded consumers and their families to explore the latest in every aspect of green living and sustainable business practices including green energy, home and building, transportation, electronics, food, and health & beauty. Joining the lineup of keynote speakers this year are actress Mariel Hemingway, award-winning actor / director Ed Begley Jr. (presented by Enviro-Energies & Water for Life) and award-winning actor / political activist Matthew Modine. Additional eco-celebrity speakers include nationally-renowned eco-friendly interior designer Robin Wilson, nutritional expert and world-class athlete Bobby Williams, Eco-Sex author Stefanie Iris Weiss, award-winning environmental journalist Dan Shapley, eco-fashion designer Linda Loudermilk, and more.

Go Green Expo offers a multitude of interactive seminars and speaker panels led by industry-leading experts including Watershed Program Director Craig Michaels, Senior V.P. Worldwide of Rainforest Alliance Ana Paula Tavares, eco-business leader David Kistner of Green Apple Cleaners and founder/CEO of Go Green Expo, Bradford Rand. NYSERDA will host a panel discussion about Workforce Development Initiatives, Green Jobs Green New York, Green Multifamily Buildings and Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. Other topics will include Success Stories of Eco-Entrepreneurs, Creating an Eco-Logical Home, Younger Generations Going Green, The State of Our Environment, and Eco-Fashion and Lifestyle.

Key exhibitors include The Home Depot, which will showcase the array of Eco-Options available in its stores, automakers Volkswagen and General Motors, earth-friendly paper goods company Marcal, eco-responsible dental care company Aquafree, sustainable printers Print Responsibly and Linda Loudermilk’s eco-fashion line.

To produce the event, Go Green Expo is partnering with numerous eco-responsible organizations, businesses and publications including Organic Spa Magazine, Community Energy, Habitat for Humanity, Riverkeeper, New York Restoration Project, Natural Home magazine, Gotham magazine, am New York, greenhome.com, Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, New York City Audubon Society, KIWI magazine, E – The Environmental Magazine, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Ogden Publications, Inc.

Go Green Expo welcomes all trade professionals to a complimentary business-to-business day on Friday, encouraging organizations to embrace the large-scale use of Earth-friendly products, services and ideas. The event opens Saturday to everyone interested in learning about environmentally friendly goods and services for an unprecedented weekend event.
For more information and a full schedule of the show’s events, please visit www.gogreenexpo.com.

WHERE AND WHEN:
Pier 92
12th Avenue and West 55th Street – on the Hudson River
(646) 778-3211
www.piers9294.com

Business-to-Business Expo:
Friday, March 19 — 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tickets are complimentary to trade professionals, the press and corporate buyers (please bring business card for admission).

Open to Public:
Saturday, March 20 — 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 21 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

$25 for a full-weekend pass — open to both business buyers and consumers — includes complimentary admission to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show located next to Go Green Expo. Use promo code GGENYC for discounted tickets.
Tickets allow access to the entire exhibit floor as well as all panel and speaker discussions. Go Green Expo tickets at the door or online at gogreenexpo.com.
For exhibiting and sponsorship information, please contact:
Seth Berk, Go Green Expo, LLC, (212) 655-4505, Ext. 244 or SBerk@GoGreenExpo.com

With a global conversation centered on the planet’s health and its declining natural resources, going green is the biggest trend to hit today’s marketplace.

Organizations, governments and individuals all are striving to be some shade of green and are more environmentally conscious than ever.

Companies are recognizing real bottom-line benefits exist to going green. They are taking steps to integrate environmental and social responsibility into daily business practices.

Blogs and Web sites are popping up all over the world, with a focus on businesses that produce environmentally friendly products and services.

Consumers are accessing information on the environmental practices of companies to find out how “green” they and their products really are.

Increasing numbers of people are making purchasing and employment decisions based on how ecofriendly a company is, and rewarding businesses that have a commitment to sustainability.

A recent study done by Yankel ovich, a consumer research company, found that 80 percent of recent college graduates are looking for a job with a positive effect on the environment, and 30 percent of U.S. workers would prefer to work for an environmentally responsible company.

The Boston Consulting Group also surveyed 9,000 consumers in North America, Europe and East Asia and found that more shoppers deliberately sought and bought green products in 2008 than the year before – despite the economic downturn.

The group’s report, “Capturing the Green Advantage for Consumer Companies,” stated that 75 percent of consumers surveyed said it’s important or very important for companies to provide information on their environmental effects, and 66 percent said companies routinely should offer green products.

These and numerous other polls show that green business es have a distinct and growing advantage.

The green marketplace is full of smaller, younger companies that have found success through innovation. These green upstarts are competing with global organizations.

Incorporating sustainability into the values of your organization and communicating your efforts with the public is one way to ensure long-term competitiveness. The reality is that green means change in terms of how we consume, do business, work and approach innovation.

Some businesses are incredibly resistant to change and falsely believe that incorporating more sustainable business practices will be expensive and time consuming. While some products might cost more initially, they could save a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

From an economic standpoint, rising material and energy costs are pressing companies to streamline operations, eliminate waste and reduce energy consumption as much as possible. These changes also benefit the environment.

Ultimately, if companies don’t change their habits to accommodate the changing demands of consumers, they will be left behind by quicker, smarter competition.

Today, numerous resources are available to help businesses become more sustainable. The Thurston Green Business Program is a local recognition program for businesses with environmentally friendly practices.

Participating businesses receive designation stickers to display, and outstanding efforts are recognized with annual awards.

Even the smallest of actions can have lasting environmental effects. Going green at home gives people the opportunity to reduce their impact on the environment and to ensure that clean air and water are available for future generations. You can spend a lot to go green, but just a few inexpensive changes can make a difference.

How to go green at home – Step1
Use less electricity. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs each time you replace an old incandescent bulb. Compact fluorescents save 75 percent in energy use and last up to 10 times longer. As a bonus, you’ll save money on your electric bill.

How to go green at home – Step2
Run the washer, dryer and dishwasher only with full loads. You reduce both electricity and water usage by only running these appliances when necessary.

How to go green at home – Step3
Install a low-flow shower head. The newest models still produce strong water pressure while using much less water.

How to go green at home – Step4
Retrofit your hot-water system with a hot-water recirculation pump. These pumps recirculate cold water back to the water heater and only release water when it is hot. Go green and quit wasting water waiting for the cold water to get hot.

How to go green at home – Step5
Choose Zero VOC paints for your next home decorating project. Most paints contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air when you paint. VOCs can cause short and long term health problems.

How to go green at home – Step6
Look for furnishings made without glue or formaldehyde. This will green your home by improving your indoor air-quality.

How to go green at home – Step7
Recycle, reuse and compost. Reduce the amount of stuff you send to the landfill. Find out about recycling programs in your community. Find new uses for items. Compost yard waste and kitchen scraps.

How to go green at home – Step8
Properly dispose of hazardous waste. Cleaners, oils, paints, pesticides, batteries and solvents should never go out with the household garbage; they end up contaminating the soil and groundwater in your community. Contact your city government or the EPA to find out how to properly dispose of these items.