Non Toxic Vision

The gold standard for green under fire

LEED wilts as new gauges better measure energy use and costs. By Theresa Agovino

 

This year, for the first time, owners of 25,000 commercial properties in New York must report their buildings' energy use to the city. The data will be compiled into publicly posted report cards that officials hope will shame energy hogs into making the renovations needed to improve their scores, much the same way that issuing letter grades to restaurants is making owners shape up.

Read the full story on http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110102/FREE/301029996

Furniture with a past....

 

Uhuru, a company based in Red Hook, Brooklyn - NY. 

Many of the items created, utilize materials that have been reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, reused or otherwise rejected from their original function. Founded in 2004 by Rhode Island School of Design graduates Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf, Uhuru (ooh-HOO-roo) is a furniture design/build company merging avant-garde design with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Indeed, Uhuru has joined a vanguard of influential furniture companies from Milan to Tokyo focused on pushing the boundaries of contemporary sustainable design.

Their amazing furniture may have been a bourbon barrels, the Cyclone rollercoaster in Coney Island (as seen in the picture above) and much more in its former life.

Check out their products: www.uhurudesign.com

A personal note

Last weekend we decided to paint our apartment (after 5 years it was really necessary). Since we live in NYC our apartment is really not so big - but it still took about 3 days to paint. We went to Home Depot to try out their eco-friendly paint: Freshair is Home Depots answer and I have to admit it was pretty amazing. The color selection is quite impressive (well - no hot pink or lime green, but very nice soothing colors). But what surprised me most was the fact that the paint is absolutely odorless and mind you: last weekends' summer heat was quite oppressive with about 95 degrees Fahrenheit and up. We had no headaches at the end of the day!!! HURRAY...

Waste Not

Join Pete Seger, Abby Rockefeller and about 100,000 more have already installed a waterfriendly nonelectric composting toilet. Every day Americans flush 4,8 billion gallons of water = 40 % of our total indoor water use. Sun Mar, Kohler and more companies are offering this ecofriendly choice. Check out and buy it at www.kohler.com