Green In Store

Boulder, Colo., eco-home center changes hands

2009-11-13T09:02:00.001-05:00

Ellie's Eco Home Store, formerly a subsidiary of Eco Products, has been acquired by Steve Savage, a former president of Eco-Products, according to a report in the Boulder County Business Report. Both companies are based in Boulder, Colo.

Contractors emphasize construction waste management

2009-11-12T09:55:00.004-05:00

A new survey of contractors reveals that managing construction waste is the second-most important green practice to these building pros. The report from McGraw Hill Construction, highlighted in a McGraw Hill press release, included these results:

By 2013, McGraw-Hill Construction projects that the green building market will be up to 25 percent of all new construction starts by value, equating to a $140 billion market.
61 percent of contractors rate waste management plans as the second-most important aspect of green building, just behind energy efficiency.
The United States generated 143.5 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris in 2008, but only 28 percent (40.2 million tons) was reused, recycled or sent to waste-to-energy facilities.
The biggest drivers behind sustainable construction waste management practices include client demand (82 percent) and government regulations (81 percent). Competitive advantage (77 percent) and increases in education and awareness (75 percent) are also cited as major influencing factors.

McGraw Hill is in the business of producing research-driven papers that it then offers for sale. But the company releases choice factoids from the research to whet the appetite of potential customers.

Denim: the last straw in insulation

2009-11-10T13:27:00.005-05:00

I've blogged before about using straw as insulation, and straw construction is still in the news. But Habitat for Humanity is putting an even more unusual organic fiber to use in new houses: denim. The charitable organization has been recruiting college kids in drives to collect used jeans -- for example, in West Virginia, South Dakota, and Kentucky (see photo) -- which are then recycled into insulation. Check out this article on the program in Agweek, and the campaign's official site. And, surprise surprise, the denim drive is co-sponsored by the Cotton Inc. people: good press for cotton companies, and warm houses for the poor. The denim is made into insulation by Bonded Logic.

The green wave breaks

2009-11-09T09:42:00.006-05:00

When you look up from the individual grains of sand -- LEED certification, carbon offsets, Energy Star, recycling -- and you really see the wide beach, you can't help but notice the tide of changing attitudes coming in at last.

I remember when the only environmental issues in retail were those forced on business by activist groups such as PETA and the Rainforest Action Network. Ten years ago, the most controversial environmental issue in home improvement was sustainable forestry, and when Home Depot decided to source products made from certified wood, it was big news -- but retailers had to be harangued into it.

What a difference a recession makes. Businesses are looking for ways to cut costs, and suddenly everyone wants to save the planet, one utility bill at a time. Consumers are looking for ways to save, too, and when a green product offers that, it sells.

But deep in our hindbrains, a couple generations brought up in this post-Silent-Spring culture are not unwilling to look for other reasons to embrace eco-friendly products, now that they cost as much as traditional equivalents. The Lorax has made us more receptive to the idea of being more planet-friendly, and we feel good about our newfound acceptance of green practices and products. A number of research reports say consumers prefer green window cleaners, recycled carpet, and green bug spray -- products that don't save money on electric bills -- so long as they don't cost more at check-out.

And that evolving acceptance has wider ramifications. Take a look at a random sample of news out last week:

Information Management Online analyzed the agreement between the U.S. government and Wal-mart to both "start tracking the sustainability profile of their suppliers as well as their products and services." That's $800 billion in products that will now be scrutinized for environmental impact.
The Financial Times takes a look at ethical investing in retail and concludes, "What started out in 1984 as a quixotic experiment has now turned into a big business, as investors not only intensify their scrutiny of corporate practice, but step forward to exercise their voice and shape corporate behaviour."
Crain's Detroit Business reports on research revealing "80 percent of businesses have taken steps toward sustainability" in southeast Michigan. And if I may be so bold, as goes southeast Michigan, so goes the nation.
A commercial real estate company is bragging that its sustainability efforts are equivalent to planting 9 million trees or taking 4,500 cars off the road. For 108 properties, "the estimated total investment to optimize sustainability performance in these properties is about $59 million. Resulting annual savings from the investment will be about $19 million."

The sea change here is that alternative has become mainstream, that yesterday's Greenpeace activists are today's corporate sustainability officers and LEED accredited professionals. Tomorrow, the world.

Photo: green tide by Adamwithoutanyhands, used under a Creative Commons license.

PPG paper pushes products for LEED points

2009-11-07T08:35:00.002-05:00

Paint-maker PPG Industries just released a white paper to help architects, developers, and contractors specify PPG products when seeking LEED (and other green) certifications. Yes, it is basically a big eight-page ad, for example:

As a manufacturer of several national paint brands, PPG has products for all types of interior surfaces that comply with the VOC criteria of Green Seal GS-11, GC-03, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Rule 1113.

When comparing proposed versus baseline energy consumption, fenestration types, u-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and visual light transmittance (VLT) are key energy model inputs. PPG manufactures various architectural glasses that meet design objectives and contribute to the environmental performance of an integrated, energy-efficient building envelope.

Duranar and Superl II ULTRA-Cool coatings for roof and side wall metal assemblies are most applicable for this green building practice. ULTRA-Cool coatings contain IR-reflective pigments that reject solar energy and reduce surface temperatures in a palette of climate-appropriate colors.

But I can't sneer at "advertising" too much. There is actually good info here if you are looking for the right product for your green projects. Just make sure you look at the info from PPG's competitors, too.

Gov't review of pesticides may hit L&G products

2009-11-06T10:15:00.000-05:00

The EPA has ordered a new review of a slew of weed killers, some of which (including a widespread one, Atrazine) are used in lawn and garden products. For the science of the issue, check out Chemistry World's report. For two different opinions, there's EPA revisits atrazine - finally and Alarmists unfairly target crucial agricultural tool.

EPA updates Top 20 Green Retailers list

2009-11-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

The EPA has announced its updated Top 20 Retailer Partner Ranking for its Green Power Partnership program. First on the list is Kohl's, with Lowe's coming up in sixth place. According to the EPA:

Top Partner Rankings highlight the annual green power purchases of leading organizations within the United States and across individual industry sectors.

Here's the Reuters article, looking mainly at Kohls.

Dollars from dachniks?

2009-11-03T10:10:00.005-05:00

With housing starts still in the tank, maybe builders should set their sights a little lower ... at the market in dachas, small country homes, and cabins. If anyone has some disposable income in this economy, it may be the dachniks. You can take your inspiration from this survey of five modern cabins from Dwell.

Green carpet news round-up

2009-10-29T12:42:00.003-04:00

There's been a slew of news and features recently focussing on sustainable carpets:

InterfaceFlor has received certification to the NSF/ANSI 140: Sustainable Carpet standard for two products. A plant in Thailand has also been certified.

Two New Zealand wool makers are finding U.S. based partners -- including CCA Global -- to manufacture sustainable organic carpet.

A London-based investment firm has bought a minority stake in an Italian carpet-fiber maker in order to invest in recycled fiber.

Grist magazine has an interview with Ray Anderson, founder of carpet maker Interface, about sustainability in manufacturing.

Energy-efficient window line announced

2009-10-29T11:29:00.004-04:00

Kolbe has a new series of windows out, the Windquest EP line, that the company says exceeds 2010 Energy Star criteria for all climate zones in the United States. The line is available as casement, awning and studio windows.

According to a Kolbe press release,

These windows achieve energy performance ratings that put them in the top tier in the industry with U-Values of 0.18/.19 and R-values of over 5, along with Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of .23. These insulating values are nearly twice as good as those currently required by Energy Star. Our units allow for a maximum air infiltration of only .01 cubic foot per minute, which is 30 times better than the industry standard.

Windquest EP windows come standard with a special combination of high-performance LoE coatings on the glass to optimize U-value, visible transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient, and external appearance.

In an interesting marketing note, I see that Kolbe is pushing this news on its Facebook page.

Stimulus smart grid money heads into home channel

2009-10-28T10:44:00.005-04:00

Last year the power companies were predicting new smart grid technology and hyper-efficient appliances. GE, for example, is pushing this tech, no surprise, seeing as the company stands to sell a lot of new smart meters. Well, the Obama administration is using $3.4 billion in stimulus money to help that trend along.

While most of the cash is going to a wide range of power companies, $19.3 million of that is going to the home channel's own Whirlpool Corp. to help spur the creation of smart appliances such as dryers. These machines will be able to read the electric grid in order to regulate power use and save money, for example, by turning on when electricity is cheaper.

Here's what Whirlpool exec VP Bracken Darrell said at the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exhibition in Paris last April:

By 2015 we are prepared to make ALL the electronically controlled appliances we produce, ANYWHERE in the world, capable of receiving and responding to a signal requesting curtailment of the appliance’s energy consumption. These products will also be capable of providing the consumer with contemporaneous information about their energy consumption. Whirlpool would also require any manufacturer that is licensed to use the Whirlpool brand to add similar capability to products bearing the Whirlpool brand.

I have to count myself unconvinced, though, so far. Are consumers going to be happy leaving their wet laundry in the drier until 3 am, when the electric rates go down? What if they have another two loads to dry after that? And will consumers want their clothes to sit in a ball in the drier getting wrinkled from 4:30 am until the consumer gets around to taking them out two or four hours later? I look forward to seeing how the engineers at Whirlpool tackle these problems. $19.3 million says they'll think of something.

New LEED for Homes Provider in Florida

2009-10-19T13:57:00.004-04:00

E3 Building Sciences, a company that helps certify houses under the LEED for Homes standard, was named last week as one of only 36 LEED for Homes Providers in the United States. Check out E3's green building Web site:

Green building is more than a trend, and we believe that “green building” represents a fundamental shift in awareness with regard to high-performance buildings — both in the commercial and residential sectors. ... Whether you're an architect, engineer, builder, or future home owner, we can walk you through the process of certifying your project green.

Trade group lobbies Senate for clean energy

2009-10-01T14:24:00.004-04:00

Efficiency First, a trade advocacy non-profit, is asking the Senate for prompt action on the American Clean Energy & Security Act.

As new energy business leaders from across the country, we fully support the legislation’s goals: to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy.

The trade association includes contractors, energy companies, and building product vendors including BASF and Panasonic.

Hat tip: California Building Performance Contractors Association

Renaissance Lighting earns Energy Star label

2009-09-30T13:44:00.001-04:00

Renaissance Lighting, who I blogged about last year, has earned Energy Star qualification for its newest downlight LED fixtures. According to Renaissance, the new recessed downlight fixtures deliver at least 35 lumens per watt and meet other Energy Star requirements for efficiency, light levels, and color.

Making old homes more energy efficient

2009-09-30T10:46:00.002-04:00

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has launched a Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings. The site includes some interesting advocacy for keeping historic windows in place:

Going green is about more than just energy performance. To determine real environmental impacts, one must take into account the embodied energy of the new and existing windows, the environmental impacts of manufacturing new products, and the expected lifecycle of the product. Embodied energy includes the energy required to extract the raw materials, transport them, make them into a new product, ship the product, and install it. Existing historic windows have all of this energy embodied in them. Tearing out historic windows for replacement units not only wastes embodied energy, it requires additional energy to remove and dispose them. This is on top of the energy required to create and install the new windows.

Another place to get your green news fix

2009-09-02T10:54:00.004-04:00

I can't believe I haven't linked to Chain Store Age's "Green 4 Retail News" page. And I've been the CSA managing editor for almost a year now! D'Oh! Well, check it out, and keep coming back for even more green retailing news. It's in my blogroll on the right if you forget.

New green LBM dealer plans to launch 25-unit chain

2009-09-01T17:29:00.004-04:00

California developer and entrepreneur Rich Rifkin is launching a chain of eco-friendly lumber and building material units in California. The chain, New Home, has started a Web site and gotten some press. The first store will open in Dublin, Calif., in January. Eventually, Rifkin plans to push the chain throughout California and eventually the United States, according to reports. The company Web site mentions plans to open 10 in the San Francisco Bay area alone.

Building material vendor promotes tax credit angle

2009-08-31T17:42:00.004-04:00

More and more manufacturers are pushing their green products, especially if those products can be used for tax credits. Thanks to the stimulus legislation recently passed -- specifically, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- manufacturers are looking for ways to raise consumer awareness.

So it is with building material maker Typar, with a sustainability page on the company Web site as well as a new press release (PDF format) featuring products like the company's "Weather Protection System," a building wrap that can reduce your tax load:

Through the ARRA, homeowners can receive tax credits amounting to 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500 of energy-efficient improvements made to an existing home. Home builders, too, can benefit, receiving $2,000 in tax credits for building a home that saves 50 percent of the heating and cooling energy used by the average home of similar size; manufactured home builders can receive $1,000 in tax credits for the same heating and cooling energy savings. And, commercial builders, designers and building owners can receive $1.80 per square foot of the structure in tax credits for building envelope improvements that reduce heating and cooling energy by at least 10 percent.

Webinar this fall will focus on solar energy for retailers

2009-08-31T16:04:00.003-04:00

I'm the managing editor for two magazines on the business of retail, and one of them, Chain Store Age, is partnering with Schneider Electric to present a webinar on solar energy for retailers. The online event will feature speakers from Xantrex Technology, a Schneider subsidiary. To attend the free Oct. 15 webinar, please register online.

Glass tile distributor to buy carbon offsets for all U.S. product shipments

2009-08-28T17:47:00.003-04:00

Hakatai, a distributor of imported glass mosaic tile, will now use carbon-neutral shipping on FedEx Ground and Expedited orders within the United States. The company has partnered with GreenShipping.com to purchase carbon offsets through Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization.

I spoke with Amanda at Hakatai, and she told me that the company is using the partnership to buy carbon offsets for all product shipments in the United States -- and the company is absorbing the cost to do so. Hakatai will not increase prices or shipping cost to customers, she said.

Report: Eco-attitudes are changing

2009-08-26T15:44:00.004-04:00

New research from RSR and RILA concludes that attitudes towards green practices are evolving and that retailers are more and more inclined to put energy-saving, eco-conscious measures front and center, especially among green market leaders referred to as "Winners." From the PDF report:

Tweet tweet!

2009-08-25T17:39:00.003-04:00

Those of you on Twitter may want to check out Hugh Byrne's green business tweets. You can also follow Hugh at GreenBiz.com.

A few recent interesting items noted by Hugh:

A green checkered flag?

2009-08-24T16:29:00.003-04:00

Laticrete is eager to boost its sponsorship of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racing series, featuring cars that "run on clean biodiesel fuel." That's a photo of Laticrete-sponsored driver Taylor Broekemeier above.

But isn't green racing like the hot-dog-eating contest in which all the buns are whole wheat? That is, something inherently bad, but now somewhat less so? Well, far be it for me to be sanctimonious -- let he among us who has never ordered a diet soda along with a big steak cast the first stone. According to a Laticrete press release, "The racing season will offset 2,358 pounds of carbon emissions by running on clean biodiesel fuel as opposed to regular gasoline. In addition, the carbon footprint of the series is offset by VW and Carbonfund.org by new forestation projects in Northeast Louisiana."

Maybe you can can burn fossil fuels in the service of entertainment and still feel good about it.

Silver linings in green pools

2009-07-17T13:56:00.005-04:00

After a long cool damp June (at least here in the northeastern United States), at last we're getting some hot summery weather. Time for ball games, picnics, and swimming pools! And you can enjoy the beautiful blue water in your green pool, too.

The big problems with pools, eco-wise, are water loss, electricity used to run pumps, and chemicals. But each has a solution. Pool covers stop evaporation and are a good safety feature. Energy efficient pumps are now on the market. And there are alternatives to traditional chemical treatments as well. For a good round-up, check out these two articles. And here are five more eco-friendly solutions.

And for those seeking a recycled above-ground option, check out these swimming pools made from big recycled garbage dumpsters! That's them in the photo above.

The art of recycling at retail

2009-07-15T17:11:00.005-04:00

The paradox of making beautiful things from trash existed long before the green movement gained the momentum it has today. But as appreciation of the environment has grown, recycled art has become mainstream. So much so, in fact, that retailers are taking advantage of the trend in several ways.

Some retailers are selling recycled art. Home Depot offers a swing sculpted of used tires. Look at these lovely drawer and cabinet pulls made of recycled glass and pottery. Here's a directory with many recycled art product links.

Canadian home center Rona recycled an Apple iPod billboard to cleverly promote its paint recycling program (photo above).

And retailers are using recycled art in window displays. A Whole Foods in Hawaii offers a sea and surf theme. An English coffee shop window has a bug theme. And this blogger has two examples in Seattle.

For retailers seeking to wear their green cred on their sleeves, consider using art to make the case.