See this at: santacruzsentinel.co...| Added on 01/25/09

I have to admit that I'm impressed. According to an article by MSNBC, bamboo is the "Vegetal Steel," the superhero of building materials. Admired by environmentalists and contractors alike, this amazing weed is five times stronger than concrete,... See more

I have to admit that I'm impressed. According to an article by MSNBC, bamboo is the "Vegetal Steel," the superhero of building materials. Admired by environmentalists and contractors alike, this amazing weed is five times stronger than concrete, absorbs four times as much carbon dioxide as timber and can grow at the rate of several feet per day. Moreover, it is one of the most versatile substances on the planet, used to make everything from clothing to paper to buildings -- and anything in between. Plus, it's a nutritious dietary staple in Asian cultures. Is there anything that bamboo can't do? Currently, bamboo is one of the hottest "green" materials on the market. Environmentalists love it, not only because of its carbon-storing capacity, but also because bamboo grows abundantly without the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Moreover, it's a renewable resource that matures in seven years, according to Scientific American, compared to 30 to 50 for a stand of trees, and can yield 20... See less

See this at: msnbc.msn.com| Added on 02/15/07

When it opens next year, the 54-story Bank of America Tower in New York will be the most environmentally friendly office building in the United States. It will produce most of its energy at an on-site cogeneration plant. It will capture and reuse... See more

When it opens next year, the 54-story Bank of America Tower in New York will be the most environmentally friendly office building in the United States. It will produce most of its energy at an on-site cogeneration plant. It will capture and reuse waste water and rainwater. And it uses recycled materials in its construction. The building is the latest in a trend toward office buildings that use less energy and cause less global warming. But developers say that trend is being held back by insufficient government support. See less

Highlights: A trend toward office buildings that use less energy and cause less global warming, developers say, is being held back by insufficient government support.

See this at: neo.state.ne.us| Added on 02/15/07

Recycled Construction Materials is one in a series of factsheets on issues related to energy and resource efficient construction of new homes and buildings. Other factsheets and additional information can also be found at: ... See more

Recycled Construction Materials is one in a series of factsheets on issues related to energy and resource efficient construction of new homes and buildings. Other factsheets and additional information can also be found at: www.nol.org/home/NEO/home_const/design_build.htm This fact sheet was partially financed through the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Litter Reduction and Recycling Program. See less

Highlights: The safest, easiest and least expensive ways to reduce material production and disposal impacts are to produce less, use less, re-use more and recycle everything possible. Of the millions of tons of garbage that Americans produce each year it is estimated that more than 70% of it could be...

See this at: ciwmb.ca.gov| Added on 02/15/07

The concept of sustainable building incorporates and integrates a variety of strategies during the design, construction and operation of building projects. The use of green building materials and products represents one important strategy in the... See more

The concept of sustainable building incorporates and integrates a variety of strategies during the design, construction and operation of building projects. The use of green building materials and products represents one important strategy in the design of a building. Green building materials offer specific benefits to the building owner and building occupants: * Reduced maintenance/replacement costs over the life of the building. * Energy conservation. * Improved occupant health and productivity. * Lower costs associated with changing space configurations. * Greater design flexibility. Building and construction activities worldwide consume 3 billion tons of raw materials each year or 40 percent of total global use (Roodman and Lenssen, 1995). Using green building materials and products promotes conservation of dwindling nonrenewable resources internationally. In addition, integrating green building materials into building projects can help reduce the environmental impacts associated... See less

See this at: ciwmb.ca.gov| Added on 02/15/07

A green building, also known as a sustainable building, is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner. Green buildings are designed to meet certain objectives such as protecting... See more

A green building, also known as a sustainable building, is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner. Green buildings are designed to meet certain objectives such as protecting occupant health; improving employee productivity; using energy, water, and other resources more efficiently; and reducing the overall impact to the environment. See less