Our Green Streets Blog

It is nearing time to be excited about the human spirit of innovation and invention.

I recommend visiting the Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2010, and looking at some of the entries from previous challenges, particularly the winners from last year (2009). Read more of this >>

The U.S. Department of Energy is preparing to feature some top examples in alternative energy in its coming Solar Decathlon, to be held on the National Mall, October 8 – 18. DOE information is as follows:

Solar Decathlon entry from Team Spain

High-Tech Homes That Save Money Without

Sacrificing Comfort To Highlight DOE Solar Decathlon Read more of this >>

Solar pathways for home-building too expensive? Not all of the. Here is a Martin LaMonica story worth reading.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10356295-54.html?tag=nl.e703

In the United States energy use by buildings is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, so energy efficiency is a vital target in our efforts to mitigate climate change, control operating costs, and achieve energy independence.

According to Patrick Gill, co-founder of NoCoEntre.net, Northern Colorado is a hotbed of businesses with solutions to this challenge.  For this month’s presentations we have selected three companies, ranging from heat regulation technology, to zero-energy homes, to real estate development projects.

S. Kroll + J. Andrews — Corvid Wall (Englewood)
M. Kostovny — Solar Village (Boulder)
T. Hoaglund — Vignette Studios (Fort Collins)

“We are very excited about the prospects for our meeting.  The presenters are thought leaders in the Green Built environment.  We expect to learn about the status of Green Building, the contribution of these leaders and we’ll work on issues they’ve identified,” said Gill.

This free event will be held in Fort Collins, starting at 5:45 pm on September 21, 2009. Refreshments are provided by the Larimer County Business and Enterprise Program. To learn more about the Northern Colorado Entrepreneurs Network, please visit the website.

Try these names or starters: greensulate and acorn.

Ecovative Design co-founders, Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre. Source: ED website

These are two products released from a company worth watching, ECOVATIVE DESIGN. One is an insulation material, called greensulate. the other is an alternative packaging material, named acorn.

From Ecovative Design’s website:

Acorn™ packaging takes a radically different approach to packaging. Acorn™ is made of agricultural waste materials that come from renewable sources. This environmentally-friendly innovation is just as reliable, easy to use, and affordable as competitive packaging products, like expanded polystyrene. Acorn™ is 100% compostable after use, and can be embedded with grass, flower and plant seeds, which draw upon the material as it breaks down to fuel organic growth. Read more of this >>

This is a site worth visiting: http://ecovativedesign.com

look at their videos on Greensulate, an incredibly exciting non-synthetic product! Read more of this >>

Joe Lederman, from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center, has requested we post this information about asbestos.

Places to look for sbestos in older homes

Sustainability and energy guide many aspects of life in the United States. There are many green, eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually. The implementation of eco-construction and green energy home solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.

Recently, congress passed an economic stimulus package that promotes energy efficiency for home and business owners. The American Recover and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 include incentives for upgrading to more eco-friendly/sustainable methods of energy and insulation. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation. Read more of this >>

Doug Tapia posted this in January. It was exciting enough, I thought it worth posting one more time. GRM Read more of this >>

Cardboard office story from Sustainable Life Media

From Sustainable Life Media:

A designer in Holland has revamped the interior of Amsterdam ad agency Nothing with interlocking cardboard. (via PSFK)

Read more of this >>

Architect and Builder Doug Eichelberger has an interesting way to use trash as a building material.  He has constructed several of the building at his Larkspur, Colorado ranch out of baled glossy paper and baled plastic bottles.  The buildings, finished in stucco, blend in well with the surrounding environment, disguising the truly green nature of these buildings.  Eichelberger sees buildings like those at his Lucky Ranch as a possible solution in developing countries around the world where trash is plentiful, and traditional building materials and methods prohibitively expensive. Read more of this >>