What is “going green”?
Everyone is “going green”. What is the “green movement”? This is everyone’s efforts to be sustainable, as well as recycling. Actually, a better word for it is repurposing. Recycling and repurposing go hand in hand. Most people think of recycling as, taking all your plastics, newspapers, and cans to the drop off center. Well, now it is also taking something that would have been thrown away, and reusing it in a new way.
What’s it all about?
There aris lot of people doing this for crafty reasons, and like yard art, or taking a dresser, removing all the broken drawers, and making shelving, as well as many more ideas. The construction world has now embraced the “green movement” too. No more throwing away useful items. Recycled materials are regenerated into things like insulation, wallboards, cabinets, plastic piping, and so much more.
What about LEED?
What is LEED? LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Companies are given this prestigious award for having their company buildings being as sustainable, as they can be. The Subaru plant in Lafayette Indiana has not sent one single item to the landfill since 2004 when it went green. Every piece of scrap gets reused in some way or another. Most are put back into cares as stuffing for seats, bumpers, and more. What can’t be used, is a dent to another facility to be converted to energy.
How does a company build a green building?
Most companies will seek out the expertise of innovative construction companies. These construction companies specialize in making your building as sustainable and green, as possible. This does not only involve using recycled materials but going local as well. When you use local companies, it saves transportation, which conserves gas, emissions, and the roads traveled, as well. It also generates business for local companies. This all helps your business as well because when you use locals, they will use you.
What are some examples of green buildings?
NASA has also contributed with one of their buildings in Houston, Texas. Building #20, has been the LEED award, due to its unique environmentally conscious construction. It has solar powered hot water harvesting system, and underfloor air distribution system, with total energy recovery. The lighting is also about low energy consumption. They use energy efficient fixtures, as well as a low-voltage lighting control system, that has time sensors, and daytime harvesting. This all has to do with energy conservation and cutting costs.
What other ways “green” buildings are made?
There are many different ways to “green” your building. One really green thing to do involves insulating and cooling your roof. Make it physically green with plants. These are called, “living roofs”. They catch the sunlight that usually bakes your roof, increasing air conditioning costa. It also catches all the rainwater, feeding the plants, and keeps excess water from running into storm sewer systems, which causes flooding.
More ways to “green” your building
Using solar panels is a great way to conserve energy and save money. Having roof skylights help too. The more natural light you can get into your building, the more you conserve energy. Wal-Mart is a great example of this. They have many skylights for natural lighting. The lights are on timers and do not come on, until dusk. This is very economical. Adding film to office windows enables you to still have ample natural lighting, while also cutting down on air conditioning. Another bonus to films on windows, is it saves furniture, due to less fading from the sun. Check out what you can do, prior to building!
