Resource Efficiency

Construction and demolition accounts for around 30% (est. 170 million tons/year) of the waste that ends up in landfills. The construction of a 2,085 sq ft home uses up to 1.5 acres of forest. For each ton of Portland cement produced, one ton of C02 is emitted into the atmosphere.  These statistics are disturbing and unacceptable. The building industry needs to be more conscious about waste management and resource efficiency. We need to be thinking about job-site recycling, construction efficiencies, durable materials/strategies, and renewable/reclaimed building materials.


Resource Efficiency Strategies:

  1. •Detailed framing documents to avoid cut waste

  2. •Efficient framing- Advanced Framing Techniques

  3. •Setting waste factor limits

  4. •Site Engineered Environmental (SEE) Studs- made from scrap lumber (used in non load-bearing interior walls)

  5. •Long lasting, durable construction materials

  6. •Prefabricated wall panels

  7. •Environmentally responsible building materials- FSC certified lumber, bamboo, reclaimed-hardwood floors, recycled-content materials, locally-produced materials

  8. •Fly-ash concrete

  9. •Waste management/Job Site Recycling Plan- every builder should have a plan that addresses waste reduction, recycling and other landfill diversion techniques

GREEN BUILDING

Green Building Myths

Health & Safety

Indoor Air Quality

Radon

Durability

Quality Comfort Beauty

Energy Efficiency

Passive Solar Design

Renewable Energy

Resource Efficiency

Water Efficiency

Environment

Owner Education

Performance Testing