Archive for November, 2009
November 24th, 2009
About a year and a half ago, we mentioned a project designed by seed architecture studio called the SIPs House in Portland. Built by Kaya General Contractors, the home is now complete. Since it hasn’t sold yet due to market conditions, the developing partner is going to move in.
The all-electric home is one of the first homes in Portland to be built with SIPs and features a number of green features:
- Energy Star appliances;
- Efficient fluorescent and LED lighting;
- A real-time energy monitor;
- A heat recovery ventilator;
- Native and drought-tolerant landscaping;
- Fuez recycled glass and fly ash countertops;
- Low- and zero-VOC paints;
- Salvaged barn wood for the siding;
- EPA WaterSense appliances and dual-flush toilets;
- Solar thermal hot water system;
- 30% fly ash used in the foundation; and
- Extremely tight and efficient envelope.
The goal with this house was not just LEED Platinum certification, but to create something that gives back. Certainly, the LEED paperwork has been submitted, but only time will tell whether the efficiency benefits, when combined with on-site energy production, put the home in net zero energy or positive energy territory. You can follow that and future projects on the construction blog:
[+] SIPs House Portland.
Photo credits: SIPs House Portland.
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November 24th, 2009
When you’ve spent the better part of two decades out in the backcountry riding some of the toughest lines in snowboarding and developing a deep desire to protect mountain environments, global warming is undeniably a pressing and personal concern. When you’re Jeremy Jones how do go about transforming that concern into action? You start by founding Protect Our Winters, a non-profit dedicated to uniting the winter sports community:… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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November 24th, 2009
Photo: Via Patagonia – Photographer Tim Davis
Patagucci is the mocking term sometimes used to label the outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, in reference to what some people view as high priced goods. We don’t know what Gucci do with their money, but Patagonia’s customers are transparently informed where a sizeable chunk of their spend is headed. To initiatives that help make the world a saner place.
In the past fiscal year Patagonia gave away $3,816,750 in grants and in-kind donations. That makes $34 million USD they’ve put back… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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November 24th, 2009
Image via: Anthonyko on Flickr.com
In need of somewhere to travel for New Years? Want to start planning your summer vacation? Now in it’s fifth year, National Geographic Traveler magazine has choosing the top green destinations in the world to a science. Many of the locations were chosen for their relative isolation (and thus minimal human impact), while others were major metropolitan areas that have managed to implement a successful environmental … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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November 24th, 2009
British gentleman meets urban cowboy in this season’s hottest men’s piece – the eco-friendly Riding Jacket from Nau. Made of 100% recycled polyester (employing cradle-to-cradle technology), the jacket can be sent back to Nau and fully recycled at the end of its useful life – though it’s classic design will ensure that day won’t come for a long, long time.
And if the sexy style wasn’t enough to make you grab it up for the eco-conscious man in your life, maybe the fact that 10% of all sales are donated to a charity of your choice will be enough to persuade. A consistent ecofabulous favorite, Nau’s firm commitment to sustainability paired with the company’s incredible design sense, has earned them a steady place in our “season’s hottest” bracket. It probably doesn’t hurt that they have a knack for choosing easy-on-the-eye models either…
November 24th, 2009
Sometimes nature isn’t so harsh and here are two stories as example: BBC News reports that two grandmother macaques have been observed nursing and caring for their grandchildren, the first time such caring behavior has been unambiguously documented; on a much smaller scale, <a href="http://www… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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November 24th, 2009
These were a huge hit for the holidays last year. A great place to stash your gold coins or a place to hold the remote control on the coffee table. It is fun to personalize them for each recipient. A great present that will keep them talking to GroundHog’s Day. Made from old recycled books.
$17.50 – $39.00 at Secret Storage Books
November 23rd, 2009
Earlier this year, Hutton Hotel opened its doors in Nashville, Tennessee. Hotel Interactive recently referred to the building as “one of the most sustainable focused properties” it had ever seen, although the developer, Amerimar Enterprises, decided to skip LEED certification. Built from the skeleton of a former office building, Hutton Hotel has 248 rooms and some of the following green elements:
- LED and fluorescent lighting throughout;
- Renewable bamboo flooring and furniture;
- Card readers that disarm lighting when occupants leave;
- Low-energy EcoDisc elevators;
- Low albedo roofing system;
- Efficient LED exterior signage;
- Highly efficient bronze exterior glass;
- Water efficient fixtures and dual flush toilets;
- Water free urinals in public areas;
- A laundry water recycling system; and
- Mechanical energy recovery wheel system that preconditions air before heating/cooling.
In addition, Hutton Hotel uses biodegradable cleaning products, provides a hybrid courtesy vehicle, and runs a hotel recycling program for glass, paper, and plastic.
[+] Visit Hutton Hotel in Nashville.
Photo credits: Hutton Hotel.
November 23rd, 2009
If you’re in NYC this week, be sure to stop by eBay’s Pop-Up Holiday Marketplace, located at 3 West 57th at 5th Ave. With over 200 million unique gifts and inspirations listed at any given time, there’s sure to be something for everyone on your list. And whether you’re giving new life to a pre-owned product, buying something that’s sustainably made, or purchasing an item that is resource or energy-saving, eBay helps you shop a little greener this holiday season. Check out the complete Green Holiday Guide here.
As eBay’s Home & Garden and Green Expert, Zem was on hand last week to showcase some of the top products in the “eco-excellence” category (check out her sustainable sourced linen shoes from Tashent by Cheyenne!). Stop by the pop-up marketplace this week to shop via internet kiosks, handheld tablets, and the new eBay iPhone app. There are personal shoppers and trend experts on hand to guide you through your entire gift-giving list. And, when you spend in the pop-up marketplace, eBay will match all purchases made dollar for dollar up to an additional $200,000, giving back to 14 leading non-profits!
If you’re not in NYC, don’t worry – the eBay Mobile Boutique (run on environmentally friendly biodiesel!) may be coming to a city near you.
November 23rd, 2009
Credit: oquendo via Flickr.
Nothing against New Jersey, but it’s not the first place that comes to mind when you think of clean air in the United States. Maybe that’s just not fair to the Garden State.
In a 2009 “Best Places to Live” list of small towns from Money magazine, Jersey has nine cities in the Top Ten when it comes to “cleanest air:”… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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