For others, it may mean reducing their environmental impact or lowering utility costs. Buildings and building materials have a tremendous impact on the environment and our health; consider that:

• Buildings account for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide
• U.S. water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (more than 300 billion gallons)
• An estimated 4 billion pounds of carpet ends up in landfills each year
• Noise is one of the most pervasive pollutants today, negatively affecting health and well-being

Green buildings are designed to be gentler on the environment, and healthy and safe for occupants. Factors that must be considered in the design, construction and operation of green buildings include energy-efficiency, water conservation, responsible material selection, reduction of waste and pollution, and healthy indoor environmental quality. Most often, people choose to build green for a combination of these reasons, so each project centers around a unique set of green goals.

Whether you’re building, remodeling, or working on a home improvement project, green alternatives exist in nearly every product category. And, if you’re concerned about the costs associated with building green, the good news is that savings in energy and water use, emissions reduction, and realized health benefits more than offset those extra upfront costs over time, while increasing the resale value of your home. Some of the immediate measurable results experienced by owners and occupants of green spaces include:

• 8-9% decrease in operating costs
• 7.5% increase in property values
• 20% better test performance for students
• 16% increase in worker productivity
• Patients discharged from hospitals an average of 2.5 days sooner
• Increase in retail sales
• Increased production in factories

(Source: USGBC, October 2007)

At Green Depot, our mission is to make green building products and services readily accessible so that green building can be easy, worthwhile, and gratifying. We have a passion for green building, and we know you want to do it right. Call or email us NOW and let us help you bring your green projects to life.