Where do things come from? Here is a website that finally allows you to determine where products and food sources originate from to determine your carbon footprint. More concepts on this to come as we can only work with what we have and furthering this concept will allow everyone to understand their carbon footprints to create change.
Via: Inhabitat Sourcemap interview: Leonardo Bonanni
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged buy green, carbon footprint, export, import, local products, made in usa, sourcemap
This gallery contains 5 photos.
ROOF PODS: A ROOFTOP REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: by Jeff Barrett Design Problem: Within the fabric of urban environments there exists little opportunities to rethink how the city can progress given a predetermined building infrastructure. Little or no land is available between … Read more
Can a plastic water bottle actually save water?
We have heard the horrible stories about plastic water bottles turning up in our oceans and streams damaging the ecosystems. They were initially developed to last forever and thats how they will exist. The first option is to purchase a refillable glass or stainless steel water bottle instead. You can buy SIGG Stainless, SIGG USA bottles at most REI stores, or Klean Kanteen which is also a great brand if you want to kick the plastic bottle habit (BPA free is a good thing).
Ok, what if you just so happen to be really thirsty and buy some of that fresh mountain spring water that comes in the plastic bottle? Instead of sending it to the landfill you can either recycle it or save some green (money that is).
Home Green Solution:
1. Take the bottle (drink that tasty flavored water inside).
2. Then fill it with your highly chlorinated tap water.
3. Remove the labeling with soap and water.
4. Stick the bottle in your water consuming toilet and BAM! Low flow toilet.
How is this a low flow toilet? Every time you flush the the toilet, water fills back into the basin ready for the next flush. The typical older toilet uses about 3.5 gpf (gallons per flush) and toilets consume an average of 20.1 gallons of water per person, per day in a home with no water-conserving fixtures, according to the American Water Works Association.
Little Math: 4 Person family = 20×4 gallons of water per day= 29,120 Gallons per year. Water rates vary, but for this lets use .031c per gallon = $902 per year to flush this toilet. By using a typical 1/2 liter plastic bottle you can reduce your fill level by around .3 gpf.
This toilet saved: $50/year by using a $.43c water bottle. (**Note: This calculation is only an estimate to demonstrate even the small things make a difference).
Dual flush converter
If everyone that reads this either buys a new low flow or dual flush toilet ($100-$$$), a dual flush toilet converter by (Hydroright) $17, or a .43c water bottle its a step in the right direction while saving water and money.
Happy flushing!
This carton by artist Dee Densmore-D’Amico is hilarious to most, but its hard to joke about something when trees are planted on roofs all the time. 
There are are a number of projects around the world that have planted trees on roofs through an “intensive” green roof application process. Intensive refers to the type of green roof which is typically any depth beyond 8″ inches. Installing a green roof at your house is easier than you may think. This topic I will save for another post. If interested in installing a green roof contact Home Green, Jeff Barrett or Habitat Gardens, Casey Lyon.
We are green roof experts.
Image by:Michealson.com
Picture at left is an image of where trees are planted on a rooftop. Below the Gardens at Yerba Buena Center is the Moscone Convention Center. Here a waterfall, grass, trees and other landscape features have been built on the convention center roof. This a a beautiful project and not a joke! Trees really can be installed on rooftops with a little structural assistance.
Verify insulation is formaldehyde free
When purchasing insulation for your home walls or attic there are a number of options to choose from. Some of these are listed below. Here is a little trick I picked up regarding doing your own home insulation and how to save a few bucks.
1. Go to Home Depot (I prefer Lowes, but you decide)
2. Tell them you want to install insulation in your attic and you want to DIY.
3. They will tell you that if you purchase “X” amount of insulation they will give you the blower for free to do the job as these are not cheap. I want to say it was $500 worth.
4. If you need less SF of insulation than the minimum just purchase the required amount to get the free blower rental. When you are done take back the rest of the insulation for a full refund and BAM! free blower for your install.
Check out Fixer-upper for a step by step guide. This post has some pretty good tips.
Blown-in or loose fill insulation is usually made of fiberglass or cellulose (recycled paper fiber). It is blown or sprayed into place with pneumatic equipment and is ideal for use in hard-to-reach areas, such as attics. It can also be used to fill wall cavities and can be installed over existing insulation.
Batts are precut sections of fiberglass or rock wool insulation that are designed for easy handling and use between framing, such as studs and joists. Batts are available either with or without paper or aluminum foil facing. They can be used in floors, walls, attics and ceilings.
Like batt insulation, rolls are available in pre-cut widths to fit between studs and joists, but come in longer continuous lengths ranging from 20 to 40 linear feet. This makes rolled insulation an excellent choice for attics, floors and other areas where longer runs are needed.
Foam boards or rigid panels of insulation can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. Polystyrene and polyurethane are the most common types of materials used in making foam board. Foam board insulation sheathing reduces heat conduction through structural elements like wood and steel studs.
Latex or polyurethane spray foam is sprayed into place with a spray can or specially designed equipment. Spray foam can be used to fill small gaps and cracks and is ideal for sealing around doors, windows and vents. Special equipment may be needed to apply foam to larger areas. Spray foam sets quickly and can be trimmed, painted or stained.
Housewraps and kraft faced insulation are examples of vapor barriers that help control the amount of moisture that passes through the insulation. If moisture from either direction is allowed to build up within stud or cavity walls, the heat-conducting moisture will cause the insulation will lose its R-value and allow mold and rot to set in over time. Vapor barriers are most commonly used when framing the exterior walls of a house.
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Now if you made it here you may have already seen my first DIY Green Wall on youtube DIY Vertical Green Wall. Here are some links to some manufacturers that are taking these walls to new levels. What’s the difference you … Read more
It has occurred to me in the past few years that there is no easy way to purchase products made in the USA. Why is this? The Made in USA (made in usa) websites are just not as easy as Amazon. Search, click, buy is what we want to do. So how do we fix this?
The answer is quite simple, but the solution is a bit more complicated. Average manufacturing and labor cost is $32.53/hour as of December, according to the BLS. The labor costs are just simply not the same as in other emerging manufacturing countries that do not have as strict labor laws and compensation.
I do have a solution to this equation and it is a mixture between Amazon and Priceline. Here are the items you consider and some you may not have thought about when you are looking to buy goods………
1. What do I want to buy and how much time do I have to search for it online?
2. Is the product in my price range and who has the best deal?
3. Is it made in USA or out of the country? What is my carbon footprint of this product.
4. How has the manufacturing process affected the environment?
5. Have I contributed to the local economy or are my dollars going over seas?
Most consumers will only want to see items 1 and 2 which is why Amazon makes a ton of cash. They bet on the fact we want the cheapest price, but I say we want more. Shame on you Amazon lets bring back economic stability to the USA by giving manufacturing companies a chance to bid on the consumers product searches?
I believe if given the chance and the simplicity to buy goods in a sustainable way at an acceptable price we would jump at the opportunity to help our neighbors.
Food for thought! Let me know if you want to make this happen and bring sustainable change.
There has been a lot of talk about becoming greener and living more sustainable. There are many ways to practice sustainable living and a one of the best ways is to buy local products. Why are local products considered green? The purchase of out of state/country goods green downfall is the transportation of the product. We all know that transportation consumes large portions of fuel thus producing carbon dioxide and assisting in nature’s global warming cause.
How can I make a difference?
When you buy local products such as fruits and vegetables at the local farmers market or supermarket you support local business and bring money back to the the city that may or may not be currently suffering from the current economic situation in America. When you buy local produce the majority is picked ripe and not picked prior to reach the produce full potential. It just plain tastes better.
Why is it so hard to find local goods? I have been asking myself this questions for a number a years now and working on new options to increase local awareness.
Doing your part to keep the money local and buying products gives your city the jobs needed and could help bring economic stability back to the country.
Here are some links to start your search for local products:
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged energy efficient, light bulbs, replacement bulbs
Bamboo and cork kitchen design. When I moved into this house there was NO kitchen, stove, fridge, cabinets. We demolished the separating wall from the living space and hired a LOCAL (buy local is the best way to be green in your town) cabinet maker to fabricate the design. Cabinets are made from bamboo which are considered rapidly renewable, a very sustainable approach to cabinet faces. Cork is also considered a renewable resource that regenerates its skin after harvesting. This construction was affordable and craftsmanship everlasting.
See more images here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffbarrettdesign/sets/72157625210451155/
PS. Do not buy P-lam (plastic laminate) cabinet doors they WILL NOT LAST!
Posted in Sustainable Architecture
