Why Green?
These days, “green” is everywhere – in the news, at the supermarket, on your “recycled” coffee cup, even in your child’s classroom.
Yet through all the hype, you may be wondering why green should matter to you and your family. Let’s take a look at some of the facts:
- Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors.Levels of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be as much as 10 times higher indoors than outdoors.
- As many as 15% of Americans are allergic to their own homes.
- The number of asthma cases in the U.S. more than doubled from 1980-1998 – surpassing 17 million.
There are many more statistics that point to widespread health risks from poor indoor air quality, skyrocketing water and energy costs, alarming amounts of recyclable materials that end up in landfills each year, and sobering facts about global warming and the destruction of our natural resources.
So why should you care? Because “going green” can help ensure that you and your loved ones live, work and learn in environments that are clean, healthy and safe. Going green can:
- Reduce health risks
- Save you money
- Increase the value of your home
- Reduce energy and water use
- Improve durability
- Help conserve natural resources
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Help stem the tide against global warming
- Keep reusable materials out of landfill
- Reduce maintenance
At Green Depot, we're here to help you navigate the evolving landscape of green living and building by providing a one-stop resource for all of your needs. We’ll answer questions, refer professionals, and provide you with the highest quality products to make your green projects easier. Contact us TODAY to find out more.
Building Green
What does it mean to build green? For many people, it means protecting the health and well-being of their families. For others, it may mean reducing their environmental impact or lowering utility costs. Buildings and building materials have a tremendous impact on the environment and our health; consider that:
- Buildings account for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide
- U.S. water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (more than 300 billion gallons)
- An estimated 4 billion pounds of carpet ends up in landfills each year
- Noise is one of the most pervasive pollutants today, negatively affecting health and well-being
Green buildings are designed to be gentler on the environment, and healthy and safe for occupants. Factors that must be considered in the design, construction and operation of green buildings include energy-efficiency, water conservation, responsible material selection, reduction of waste and pollution, and healthy indoor environmental quality. Most often, people choose to build green for a combination of these reasons, so each project centers around a unique set of green goals.
Whether you’re building, remodeling, or working on a home improvement project, green alternatives exist in nearly every product category. And, if you’re concerned about the costs associated with building green, the good news is that savings in energy and water use, emissions reduction, and realized health benefits more than offset those extra upfront costs over time, while increasing the resale value of your home. Some of the immediate measurable results experienced by owners and occupants of green spaces include:
- 8-9% decrease in operating costs
- 7.5% increase in property values
- 20% better test performance for students
- 16% increase in worker productivity
- Patients discharged from hospitals an average of 2.5 days sooner
- Increase in retail sales
- Increased production in factories
(Source: USGBC, October 2007)
At Green Depot, our mission is to make green building products and services readily accessible so that green building can be easy, worthwhile, and gratifying. We have a passion for green building, and we know you want to do it right. Call or email us NOW and let us help you bring your green projects to life.
Living Green
For most of us, living green translates to a personal health and wellness strategy – not just for ourselves, but for our families and those we care about.
There are practical things that we can all do to live greener; for each of us, it’s a matter of seeking out those small changes in our lifestyles that we can stick with, and can become a part of our routine. Choosing to live green can include:
Purchasing Green Products
- Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
- Using solvent-free finishes
- Buying recycled-content products
- Installing more efficient heating and cooling systems
- Purchasing Energy Star appliances
Living Greener
- Using green cleaning supplies
- Buying products produced locally
- Biking or walking
- Switching to a hybrid car
- Safely disposing of electronics
- Recycling and reusing what you can
At Green Depot, we believe that every green choice, big or small, is a positive step for the future. From no-VOC paints to air filtration systems, we offer the products and services that can help make those choices second nature for your family. So contact us TODAY and let us help you get started living green.
