The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently awarded the South Jersey Technology Park (SJTP) at Rowan University its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating for green steps they took.
LEED certification of the SJTP in Glassboro, New Jersey was based on the facility’s numerous environmentally-friendly design and construction features, including:
After having an ecotourism, purchasing eco-friendly gadgets by buying cell phone with eco-brands, this option sound a lot more interesting for you. 1000 green Steps had handpicked some beautiful design and came up with this stunning house. The Eco House is located in Spain, which has a roof line which sits wing-like above the building line. The roof form and distance from the building is key, it holds the solar panels at the correct angle to maximize effectiveness whilst also hiding them from view. A rainwater reclamation system will be installed and a photovoltaic system will supply the electricity to run a radiant heating system within the floor. Sounds like luxury, doesn’t it? It absolutely does to 1000 Green Steps.
Happy Green Living!
If you are building a home, or it’s time to replace the old siding on your house, consider using fiber-cement siding.
Fiber-cement siding has been around for a while, although their benefits just started drawing attention from builders and homeowners.
Fiber-cement siding is composed of cement, sand and wood fiber (often from recycled wood fiber). It comes in a wide range of colors, finish and styles that resemble conventional siding products.
Fiber-cement siding is a great green building material not only because of its composition, but also its durability and longevity. It often outlasts conventional materials for decades.
Fiber-cement siding resists many common hazards, including fire, wind, rain and insects. It won’t rot in humid areas. No termites can undermine it.  And it is virtually fire-proof. Fiber-cement won’t release toxic chemicals like other materials do.
In addition to its durability, fiber-cement holds paint much better than other materials. It doesn’t need to be re-painted for about 25 years! All these contribute to its low-maintenance and low cost in the long run.Â
Because fiber-cement is made of inert materials, even if it eventually ends up in a landfill, it does not endanger the environment.
To learn more, click here.
Before 1994, most toilet models used at least 3.5 gallons of water per flush. All new models today are “low-flow” and use no more than 1.6 gallons.
There are two basic kinds of toilets.
Gravity-flush toilets, which is the conventional ones for residential use and are less expensive and easier to maintain.
The other kind is pressure-assist toilets, which is best suited for commercial use. They are generally more effective in removing solid wastes.
Low-flow toilets not only save you on water bills, but also save the average U.S. household more than 9000 gallons of clean water per year.
But not all low-flow models on the market work well. To choose a well-functioning toilet, check the performance ratings tested by Veritec Consulting Co.
Veritec Consulting was founded by Bill Gauley, an engineer. Toilets that tested in the Veritec test lab all face the same technical challenge.
The company publishes performance results several times a year and it has helped revolutionize the toilet industry.
So check the Veritec Consulting ratings before you decide on purchasing a toilet. A low-flow toilet that works well will save you money and help conserve water.
Read more, click here.
Green Roof
2009 Awards of Excellence: OMP goes into Chicago! We all know that Chicago was an old city built in 1673 and it is very well-known for its beautiful architecture. Here is where those skyscrapers were born and finally reach other sides of the globe.
After more than 100 years, Chicago finally made a new innovation by approving Green Roof. Since 1999, Chicago has planted 24,000 hectares of Green Roof on top of the buildings, shops, and offices. One of the largest benefits of Green Roof is Water Management ability, where Green Roof can absorb up to 50-60% amount of raindrops. After Green Roof absorbs raindrops water, when the sun shines, then the plants will be able to transpire again and return the absorbed water into our atmosphere. A little amount of water will stay on the soil to be used for plant’s growth. The residue will go to a water pipe which makes even more benefits because it makes the building doesn’t need Town Water Management where water pipe upgrading and expanding could be very expensive 
Start putting Green Roof and save your money on water pipe. That saves our environment a lot, you know?
Happy Green Living!
When you are thinking about having an eco-tourism journey, be ready to rest your body inside an eco-friendly hotel. 1000 Green Steps recommend Habitat Suites Hotel as the most eco-friendly hotel in Texas considering ‘green’ features they offer to their customers. Those features include:
By those features 1000 Green Steps believe that they have good reasons to make Habitat Suites win awards and the latest was in 2006 they received the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce first ever environmental award, the “Greenbelt Award†and 2007 got us another “Greenbelt Award“
Room Rate starting from $137/night
Happy Green Living!
7-Eleven, Inc. has opened a green Commissary and Combined Distribution Center (CCD) in Long Island, New York as their company’s green steps. Fresh foods are prepared at the new environmentally-friendly facility and delivered to 674 7-Eleven stores in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The 130,000 square-foot high-tech center includes features to conserve energy, water usage, and utility costs. In addition, a sophisticated inventory and computerized ordering system allows sandwiches, salads, and baked goods to be efficiently prepared on the same day they are ordered.
The CCD qualified for rate incentives and gas efficiency rebates from the National Grid, the local utility.
More information is available here.
Is your company taking green steps? Let 1000GreenSteps.org help you spread the word. Please leave a comment below, or contact us at: 1000GreenSteps@gmail.com Thank you!
A renewable-energy “oasis” which is a part of the Sahara Foundation project intended to be built in 2010 will serve as a proving ground for new technologies designed to bring green living to the desert.
The project is all about to build an artificial Oasis in the desert by converting sea water into fresh water, using combination of renewable energy source.
For instance, special greenhouses would use hot desert air and seawater make fresh water for growing crops, solar energy would be collected to generate power, and algae pools would offer a renewable and easily transportable fuel supply.In addition, planting trees near the complex would trap atmospheric greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide while restoring any natural forest cover that has been lost to drought and timber harvesting.
The planned research center, shown above in an artist’s conception, is part of the Sahara Forest Project—the center would be a small-scale version of massive green complexes that project managers hope to build in deserts around the globe.
These complexes could create food, fresh water, biofuels, and clean electricity while also offering local green employment opportunities, organizers say.
Waste generated by home demolition and construction is huge. But if handled properly, much of it can be reclaimed and reused.
“Freecycling” is an Internet service for people to trade things locally. There have been plenty building materials being traded between members (free membership). Internet auctions (like eBay) often have used construction materials too.
Houses that are set for demolition or are under remodeling are good places to search for used building materials in your neighborhood.
There are often local companies or organizations who sell recycled or used construction materials at a fraction of their regular prices.
There have been a lot of progress in the technology to reconstitute construction waste into new products. Look for the construction material recycling programs in your area.
If you plan to build or remodel a home, make sure to hire professional builders who are willing to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Plan ahead to reduce construction waste. Practice deconstruction rather than demolition. When you do have some “junk” after finishing the work, try to find out who need them or sell on eBay before recycling.
For more information, including recycling resources, click here.
Converting free solarme energy into electricity to illuminate your landscape not only saves you money on electric bills, but it is also a very easy and effective way to reduce your dependence on fossil oil.
Solar lighting is an environmentally friendly option with low initial investment and no running costs.
Energy from sunlight is absorbed and converted into electricity that is stored in batteries. When it gets dark outside, the solar lights turn on automatically.
There are many types of solar light fixtures to meet different needs, such as garden lights, spot lights, wall lights, pathway lights, patio lights and motion-sensor lights, etc.
Solar lights are easy to install and requires no wiring or external power sources.
A good quality solar light, when fully charged, can remain on for 12-15 hours.
To learn more, visit here.
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