Reclaimed Glassware: 5 eco-friendly companies to watch

Recently I saw some beautiful green glasses by The Green Glass Company, and wondered, “What other options are out there and those with policy/reputation I can feel good about supporting?”

So here is a list of 5 eco-friendly companies that offer reclaimed glassware:

The Green Glass Company- Since 1992, the Green Glass Company has been producing glassware with resource preservation in mind.  Instead of using the non-environmentally friendly method of acid etching., the glassware is Read more

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Kirei board: Recycled beauty from counters to wall paneling

Not too long ago I received a gift massage, from my husband, to our local wellness center: Balance.  I was immediately smitten by the look of their reception counter.  When I learned that it was created from Kirei Board, I was even more impressed.

Much like plywood, kirei is a composite material, though it is made from the reclaimed stocks of sorghum plant.  Sorghum are a species of grass that are widely used.  Some species of sorghum grasses are used to feed livestock.  Others are used in alcoholic beverages and bio fuel.  Many gluten-free eaters will recognize it as flour safe for their consumption.  Certain species of sorghum are considered a staple in Africa, South Asia, and Central America, as they are the fifth largest cereal crop grown throughout the world.

Sorghum is a drought tolerant plant and grown all over the world.  Instead of burning the stalks or disposing them in waterways and landfills, a new interior finishing material is created.  You’ll also be pleased to know that the Kirei is combined with non-formaldehyde Read more

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Knoll Systems gives your home music while using less power!

We brought your attention to the eco-friendly Knoll Systems GSZ67 whole house distributed music amplifier-controller a few months back.   Well if you are looking to have music delivered throughout your home as part of your remodel, and stay eco-friendly by reducing power consumption in the process, then you need to check out the new and even more affordable GSZ44!

The all new GSZ44 controller-amplifier (with keypads included) is just what you need if you want four separate areas of your home to have speakers and music flowing throughout.  With the GSZ44, your master retreat and master bath can be tuned to an Elton John CD, while outside the kids are playing in the yard to the sounds of High School Musical 3.   All the music coming from your single home stereo!  So you decide you’d rather tune to XM satellite, well just press the Source button on the keypad on your bedroom/bathroom wall.   Guests at parties can hear the same music throughout your home as they mingle.

For $999, the complete GSZ44 package enables whole house audio distribution in four separate areas of your home, and includes  Read more

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10 things you must know about CORK FLOORING & informative cork sites

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Marvin Windows & Doors: A Greener View

The eco-friendly view from Marvin Windows & Doors.

I was twelve when I ordered my first Marvin Window & Door brochure. I know, starting a bit early right? At the time I was obsessed with designing floor plans and loved to pour over my mother’s Better Homes & Gardens magazines. It’s been a while, but I believe they still have the pull-out tabs where you can request product information. So, for a long time, I would spec out my designs to include the Marvin Windows & Doors that I liked best. Almost 20 years later, Marvin products are still desirable, ever growing, and amazingly eco-friendly. Maybe all that childhood research will someday bring about a beautiful home of my own with Marvin Windows & Doors…till then, here are some green reasons to use Marvin:

Thinking Green: The Marvin green thought, “Always striving for improvement, Marvin Windows and Doors has introduced initiatives that rethink our value chain, improve resource productivity while lowering environmental costs, and implement green practices that make producing beautiful windows an environmentally-friendlier process.”

Good design and careful decisions make a difference in our environment. Marvin has one of the lowest Read more

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Alkemi countertop: a recycled metal surface

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly  modern/industrial look, or just something different than what you’ve seen out there for countertops and other surfaces, check out the bold colors, and unique style that Alkemi’s has to offer homeowners and business owners alike.
 
These beautiful surfaces have earned SCS certification as well as LEED credits.   Aluminum milling scrap that would be burned into a heavy pollutant smoke, make up 60% of the surface volume.  There are three finishing styles available: classic, honed, and textured (depending on product chosen).  Colors are vibrant silver, gold, blue, green, red and bronze metal hues.  Surface thickness varies from 1/2″ to 3/4.”  Sheets can be bought in 36″ X 96″ or 36″ X 120″ sizes.   Custom colors, thickness and sizes can also be ordered.  Alkemi metal sheets are finished in the factory and do not require Read more

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WaterSense Names First Partners of the Year: Kohler, Ferguson, and more

We have talked a lot about Watersense here on GetWithGreen.com.  The first WaterSense Partners of the Year are being recognized for encouraging Americans to tap into their water resources wisely over the last year.

“EPA commends these partners for being blue ribbon winners in water efficiency,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “These water stars are helping WaterSense transform the way Americans view and value our most precious liquid asset and, as a result, we are saving more and wasting less for future generations.”

While EPA’s WaterSense program depends on the efforts of more than 1,000 partners, these four exceptional partners earned this special distinction from EPA:

Promotional Partner of the Year: The Saving Water Partnership

Manufacturer Partner of the Year: Kohler Co.

Retailer and Distributor Partner Read more

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Bamboo Flooring: Top 20 things homeowners should know before purchasing

For a long time now, I’ve been in love with the beauty of bamboo flooring.  The fact that it is considered “green” is another bonus.  Yet, I’ve heard many negative things about bamboo floors as well.  Hopefully the items listed below will help answer questions you may have and rectify any possible bamboo misconceptions as well.

• Though bamboo flooring is categorized with wood floors, it is actually a grass.

• Bamboo flooring is considered ’green’ because of its ability to rapidly regenerate.

• Just because bamboo itself is ‘green’ doesn’t mean that your floor is green.  Has a forest disappeared because it was cleared for the growing of bamboo?  Have panda bears relocated because of the harvesting of the manufacturer’s bamboo?

• Ask yourself how ‘green’ you and your pocketbook are willing to go.  Check with a manufacturer and do your homework to make sure you’re getting the “green grade” you desire.  Make sure you know what you’re getting before you pay a “great deal” for it.

Read more

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DirectBuy offering eco-friendly green products for your home remodel?

Can’t say that any of us on the GetWithGreen team used a DirectBuy membership for our remodels, but I will say that some of us definitely were solicited to do so.   This week DirectBuy issued a press release saying that their members have the opportunity to purchase a variety of green products and save by paying manufacturer-direct prices.

According to the announcement, some of the green products available to DirectBuy members include:

• Faucets and plumbing fixtures tat offer low consumption
• Natural cork flooring and underlayments
• Flooring made of renewable natural bamboo
• Lighting and ceiling fans with Energy Star ratings
• Energy Star compliant kitchen appliances, washers and dryers
• Cabinets treated with low-voc, LEED-compliant stains
• Bedroom, dining room, living furniture manufactured by members of the Sustainable Furniture Council; many of these pieces are made from natural fibers, use eco-friendly foam, and contain organic, halogen-free fire retardants.

Being in an urban area doesn’t mean you can’t make ‘greener’ purchases. Living in the city is probably an even better reason why people should be buying green. Unfortunately, there’s no real Read more

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EcoTop green eco-friendly countertop now in distribution

Just this past week I sat down with Joel Klippert, the creator of the ‘green’ EcoTop countertop .  I’d been anxious to talk with Joel about how things were going with his business, and the availability of EcoTop - the beautiful, practical, and affordable eco-friendly and green countertop material you’ve read so much about on GetWithGreen.com.   Joel is calling it “Sustainable without sacrifice.”

As I expected, Joel is moving full steam ahead.  The company has now made EcoTop countertop available nationwide through a master distributor in Denver - Designer Building Solutions.  If you are interested in purchasing the product, you can contact Peter Colburn in the Eco Building division of DBS directly at 1-206-321-1823.  The product is available in 10 colors, with leadtimes that vary depending on the color you select.

Supporting this distribution effort, EcoTop countertop is now being produced in two plants: Scranton, PA and Tacoma, WA.   Expanding beyond Designer Building Solutions, the company is now building a network of kitchen and bath suppliers across the US.  Unlike so many eco-friendly green products that are hard to find, EcoTop is truly Read more

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