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Global Green USA

Six Benefits of Eco-Friendly Building

Why Build Green?

Typical building construction, use, and demolition, as well as the manufacturing of building materials, contribute significantly to environmental problems. A typical 1700 sq. ft wood frame home requires the equivalent of clear cutting one-acre of forest. More than 30% of buildings in the US have poor indoor air quality, a serious problem given that most people spend about 90% of their time indoors.

  1. Building green lowers operating costs via reduced energy and water utility bills. High-quality windows, Energy Star-rated appliances, solar electricity generation systems, native landscaping and drought-tolerant plantings save money by saving energy and conserving water.
  2. Eco-friendly often means reduced maintenance and replacement costs due to greater durability of materials. Building a deck from recycled plastic lumber, for example, utilizes durable recycled materials that resist termites and require no maintenance.
  3. Non-toxic materials improve indoor environmental quality. Unlike traditional products, green materials don’t release significant pollutants into the building. Choose no-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinets, non-toxic caulks, sealers and adhesives, and CRI Green Label carpets.
  4. Improved indoor air quality from eco-friendly products reduces the risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory diseases. In addition to using non-toxic materials, proper heating, air conditioning and ventilation equipment as well as air filters give your family clean air to breathe.
  5. Green materials help preserve natural habitats and protect air and water quality. Products made from rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo flooring and natural linoleum, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products from sustainably managed forests help protect old growth forests and other fragile ecosystems.
  6. Salvaging products reduces solid waste. Reusing items such as bricks, lumber and plumbing fixtures and building with products made from agricultural waste material, such as wheat straw translates to less trash in our landfills.

Global Green USA Mission Statement

Global Green USA works with govenments, industry and individuals to create a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. Global Green USA is addressing three great challenges facing humanity: climate change, weapons of mass destruction, and the need for clean water.

Global Green USA’s Green Building Resource Center stocks samples of the most popular environmentally friendly building materials and provides free design advice and information about green building strategies. Global Green USA’s Green Building Resource Center is a partnership between Global Green USA and the City of Santa Monica. (310) 452-7677
2218 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Hours: Wed, Fri, Sun: 10 am – 3 pm; Thurs: 3 pm –8 pm
www.GlobalGreen.org/GBRC