Energy efficient doors and windows can have a big impact on reducing your utility bills

Home buyers are going green, and research shows that they are even willing to pay more for green homes in a down economy! Especially because buying a green home usually means saving a lot of green on utility bills. With the rising costs of energy, savvy homeowners are paying more upfront to save more over time. A two-year study by Carson Mathews of Atlanta Fine Homes reveals that EarthCraft House certified homes sell for more money and sell faster than standard built homes. EarthCraft House is a residential green building program designed to address the climate conditions of the Southeast. A blueprint for creating and maintaining energy- and resource-efficient living environments, the EarthCraft House program is intended for single-family detached homes, townhomes and duplexes.

According to the 2009 and 2010 Atlanta Green Homes Sales Report, homes certified by EarthCraft, LEED for Homes and ENERGY STAR sold for 3.4% more than standard built homes and sold 28 days faster. To find a sampling of builders embracing green, home shoppers can turn to Atlanta Real Estate Forum for energy efficient home builders, the communities they build in and their latest news.

Active adult home builder, Windsong Properties has partnered with ENERGY STAR® to build energy efficient, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved homes in their Somerset community located in Woodstock, Ga. The home builder has built 50 ENERGY STAR® homes using eco-friendly products such as radiant barrier roof sheathing, LP® TechShield®, Silver Line windows with low-emission glass and high-efficiency Lennox HVAC home comfort systems. These homes are beneficial for homeowners as well as the environment. Proven to provide homeowners with less maintenance and lower utility bills, these energy efficient homes also improve air quality by producing less harmful greenhouse emissions. With an estimated 2 million ENERGY STAR® qualified homes expected in the United States by 2012, this trend is clearly not going out of style.

Ashton Woods Homes builds eco-friendly single-family homes and townhomes in the Atlanta area through its PowerHouse Green with Environments for Living program. This program ensures buyers are purchasing homes that are safe and green, with feature such as CFL lighting, water management fixtures, fresh-air ventilation, controlled humidity and more. Home buyers can expect to save up to 45 percent on energy costs compared to a same-size home without the PowerHouse Green features.

Taking a bit of a different twist on green, Traton Homes has focused on reducing the waste during the framing stage of building homes. By utilizing a highly engineered method of cutting and allocating wood based on Traton’s floor plan requirements, Traton’s framing process has virtually eliminated waste. When cuts do require waste, the excess pieces are used in other areas of the building process, resulting in an environmentally responsible and efficient use of left over materials.

There are a wide variety of green programs and energy efficient homes for new home shoppers to choose from. Thanks to Atlanta Real Estate Forum, a popular Atlanta real estate blog, for sharing this article! You can find green resources and homes on their website.

Frank Wickstead of WicksteadWorks is a green Atlanta remodeler who likes to practice new eco-friendly technologies in his own home before using them with clients

Today, I would like to spotlight another of Our Green Atlantans – Frank Wickstead, who has built his home remodeling business with an eye for environmentally-friendly standards. Frank started WicksteadWorks seven years ago and has since racked up the awards. Most recently, he and his team earned the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Environmental Leadership Award for his commitment to green and high performance building standards as well as his commitment to education about the subject. The award celebrates an individual or group that has had a significant environmental impact via a long-term commitment, resulting in a body of exemplary work. Southface Energy Institute has also recognized Wickstead Works with back-to-back EarthCraft Renovator of the Year awards.

Here, I asked Frank a few questions about his inspiration, company, and his own green life…

Our Green Atlanta: When did you first become interested in green building and what sparked that interest?
Frank Wickstead: My interest in green building paralleled with my desire to provide our clients with the best product for their project dollar. The phrase “you get what you pay for” is very true in the world of construction. There are a million shortcuts that can be taken to reduce costs that result in a lesser product. That translates to less sustainable. It won’t last as long and requires more maintenance.

OGA: How did you start your company and how has it played out against your expectations?
FW: My background is design. My longterm goal was to have a design build firm to control the entire process. I am slowly but surely reaching the summit of what can be accomplished within my profession. The only negative realization has been that a process can not be written that encapsulates each client and project. A process as deeply personal as renovation much ebb and flow with each client to make everyone consider the project truly successful.

OGA: How do you teach others about green building?
FW: By example and with hard data. I gather utilities from past clients to make sure that we accomplished what we promised which is to provide our clients with as efficient a product as possible. I continue to be a teacher and student of building construction through my role as education chair with the HBA’s Green Building Council and as student at Georgia Tech’s Building Construction Master’s program which will prepare me to teach within that program as a retirement.

OGA: What have you found most rewarding about your career or the impact green building has had on your life?
FW: One of our first EarthCraft renovations involved cleaning up a swamp of a crawlspace that was, through the HVAC system, spewing mold into the home. After the project the 2 kid’s allergy symptoms were gone and have not returned. Stories like that make all the stresses of the profession with while.

OGA: What top improvement would you suggest to people looking to make an older home more environmentally-friendly?
FW: Add open cell spray foam to your attic and floor system and replace the HVAC to the proper size and with advanced filtration and humidity control.

OGA: What type of home do you live in? In what ways do you incorporate green living into your every day life?
FW: I live in a 50s ranch. I added a second story addition to EarthCraft standards. I wanted to show what could be done to a ranch that did not involve knocking it down and clearing the lot. It fits the neighborhood wonderfully and was well received. I am constantly testing new technologies within my own home prior to unleashing them on my clientele.

In the meantime, homeowners need to “do their homework.” The bill offers two rebate programs and each one has unique requirements:

The Silver Star program provides a $1,000 rebate for each retrofit described in the bill. The maximum amount paid out will be $3,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is lower. For example, if a homeowner spends a total of $4,000 on eligible retrofits, they will get $2,000 or 50% back as a rebate. If they spend $8,000 on eligible retrofits, they would only receive $3,000 in rebates instead of $4,000 (which would be 50% of the cost).

To qualify for the Gold Star program, homeowners must reduce their total home energy consumption by 20%. A $3,000 rebate will be rewarded for this reduction. Homeowners can receive an additional $1,000 for each additional 5% reduction, up to a total rebate of $8,000 or 50% of the total retrofit cost. Rebates may be provided for any of the retrofits listed under the Silver Star program, or for any other energy-saving measure, including: home energy management systems, high-efficiency appliances, highly reflective roofing, awnings, canopies, and similar external fenestration (window) attachments, automatic boiler water temperature controllers, energy-efficient wood products, insulated vinyl siding, and mechanical air circulation and heat exchangers in a passive-solar home.

The Home Star bill also outlines 13 different types of retrofits eligible for funding. Again, each one has unique requirements and rebate amounts. Fortunately there are many online resources that provide details. For example, Estimating Software Advice has created an easy-to-read table that lists the 13 retrofits, along with their eligibility details:

Click here to continue reading their report! And thanks to Houston of Software Advice for sharing this. I’ve been thinking of some energy improvements I’d like to do to my house – maybe I’ll take care of those this fall!

Of the over 4,300 people who have earned the Green Designation, approximately 60 of them are property managers. Even though NAR’s Green Designation is only a 18-hour course, it can lay an important foundation in sustainability for property manager.

And how can green property management make a significant impact on our environment? Chris explains:

One of the main reasons why green property management is becoming increasingly important is the fact that buildings account for 50-80% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Many experts are pointing to reducing building greenhouse gas emissions as the most effective and least cost-prohibitive way to fight global warming.

In addition, there are approximately 300,000 property managers in the United States, managing over 90 million tenants. That’s nearly one-third of the U.S. population depending on another person to manage their building’s sustainability.

Instead of just one home owner responsible for greening one home, a property manager has the opportunity to engage many residents in the practices of sustainable living and reduce their carbon footprint through community-wide changes to properties.

Read the full article here: Ask your landlord about their green credentials.

This three-story townhome for rent in Decatur is close to Emory, the CDC, Mason Mill Park, Medlock Park, and highways! You should probably live here.

I don’t normally use my blog for self-serving purposes, but I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on this fabulous deal!! At least the forested yard is akin to a nature preserve!… Right up the road from Toco Hill and the other side of Mason Mill Park from Emory University is a spacious, wooded three-story townhome-style duplex available for rent in a quiet neighborhood!

2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, open dining and living areas, kitchen with all appliances, and a fully finished basement allow for more than enough living space for you and a roommate. Basement could be used as third bedroom! Your own private balcony overlooks the woods from the main floor and sliding glass doors in the basement lead out into the large yard which has a fenced-in area – perfect for pets! Large closets and a bonus storage room in the basement ensure you have enough room to spare.

All appliances and systems are nearly new!! Water heater and washer/dryer (front-loading) are energy efficient – saving you money on your utilities.

Ample off-street parking next to the house. The home is wired for an alarm system and cable TV in the bedrooms.

Located off of N. Druid Hills Road on Willivee Drive, it’s only a short drive to Emory’s campus and hospital, the CDC, the VA hospital & administration, and downtown Decatur, and but the peaceful, wooded surroundings make you feel like you’re miles from the city!! As an added bonus, you’re walking distance to the 100+ acre Mason Mill Park with wooded trails, streams, and tennis courts, and easily accessible to Medlock Park and the Medlock Pool.

Available unit is on lefthand side. Please email me at jenny.p@mac.com to set up an appointment to see the home. Rent is $1,000 a month + utilities and the security deposit is one month’s rent + a $300 non-refundable pet deposit (which means that, yes, pets are welcome!) Available beginning mid-April 2010.

• What: Make your own rain barrel to take home (and eat lunch courtesy of the Department of Watershed Management!)
• When: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: City of Atlanta, Water Works Lodge, 655 Green Street, Atlanta, GA 30318 (map it!)
• Cost: $40 donation to DWM’s Care & Conserve Program (so you can write it off on your taxes next year!)

For more information and to sign up, please contact Yolanda Boazman at 404.546.1262 or ydboazman@atlantaga.gov.

Even though it’s just a building, The Brookwood is contributing to the Atlanta community in many ways through its green standards. In fact, it’s slated to be Atlanta’s first residential high-rise to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Brookwood on Peachtree Street will be Atlanta's first LEED certified high-rise building

Here are some other neat features about the building:

• A 3/4-acre green “Garden Terrace” level designed to harvest and re-circulate rainwater as irrigation via a 29,000 gallon cistern
• Dual-flush “European style” toilets and other plumbing fixtures that reduce water use by 20 percent annually over traditional fixtures
• Floorplans rotated 90° from ordinary condo layouts to maximize window space and decrease the need for artificial lighting
• Low VOC paints and CRI Green Label carpet used throughout
• A central recyclables chute
• Oil finished, FSC-approved hardwood floors
• A “healthy living”-inspired model home furnished and accessorized only in non-toxic, sustainable materials
• The Showhouse for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation Greater Atlanta affiliate

The Brookwood has hosted numerous events for organizations like the Georgia Conservancy and the Atlanta Humane Society. Click here to see pictures of The Brookwood on facebook! If you’re interested, you can also set up a tour by contacting Katherine at 404-214-0716 or  kstrate@jacksonspalding.com.

On their website, you can browse ratings of a wide variety of eco-friendly products divided by catagory or you can search specifically for a product you use frequently. So you can find out if the shampoo you use has harmful chemicals in it, or the sunscreen you use has cancer-causing carcinogens, or the cleaners you use has irritants in it, or what exactly is in the food you eat. You can then filter products to view only those that are environmentally friendly, not tested on animals, fragrance-free, organic, low in sodium, etc.  

GoodGuide’s ratings go beyond just the ingredients to focus on everything from a company’s carbon footprint to their core philisophies and treatment of workers to their philanthropic contributions. A wide variety of data are aggregated into the system to feed the ratings, and you can read more about that by clicking “ratings” at the top of their website.

You can read more about the background behind GoodGuide in this New York Times article. Thanks to Rachel for sending this in!

Metal roofs come in many styles, above being one of the more tradtitional looks. (Photo courtesy of Whirlwind Steel.)

Every roof has a lifespan and (almost) every homeowner or homeowner’s association faces the prospect of replacing their roof at some point. So why not go green? Environmentally-friendly metal roofs now comes in all sorts of styles that emulate a traditional roof and they can reduce summer energy bills by up to 40 percent. A reflective metal roof has a longer lifespan, too, lasting a lifetime versus a traditional roof that lasts an average of 17 years.

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that we spend $40 billion in the U.S. on cooling our buildings, which is staggering. Hopefully people will continue to go the route of metal roofs and green roofs (I would love to have a green roof one day… maybe I’ll flatten my attic and install one upstairs…).

Metal roofs can also emmulate other types of shingled or slate roofs, as seen above. (Photo courtesy of Mel Harris Co, Inc.)

Not faced with the prospect of replacing your roof any time soon? You can also paint it white for the same effect, as recently encouraged by U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Chu.

You can read more about metal roofs by clicking for this article!

Now, he can have his lawn and eat it, too. Apparently, the so-called end to the drought that was declared several weeks ago was theoretical, because the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the governor officially lifted water restrictions yesterday and sent out a press release to that effect (see below). Now, we’re back to the old way of watering, which is as follows:

• Even numbered & unnumbered addresses can water Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
• Odd numbered addresses can water Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays
• You can water at any time of day, but are discouraged to do so between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. since it is less effective

I’m no scientist, but if these previous attempts at conservation still didn’t stave off a drought, what makes us think that falling back on old habits is acceptable now? We’re just going to face this situation again. And for that reason, I hope that people continue to maintain an attitude of conservation and pursue alternate means of collecting water for our yards, such as rain water, gray water, air conditioner run-off, dehumidifier water, etc. If you’re reading this post, chances are you are interested in conserving water yourself, so please keep up the good work!

Did you know that out west, it’s illegal for residents in certain areas to collect their rainwater? Supposedly, all forms of precipitation are property of the government (reminds me a bit of being in the Army where nothing is actually yours, but instead all government-owned).

I’ve already asked across-the-street neighbor where his rain barrel is, since he must have one with all of the illegal watering he’d been doing, and he reassured me that I didn’t have anything to worry about, that he doesn’t water that much, so his water bills aren’t all that high. Last I checked, the issue wasn’t about how much we can each afford to pay for water… So, before I go over there and talk to him again about considering a rain water collection system for his home, I’m to do a little more research on whole house rain water collection techniques. So stay tuned for part II of my water conservation diatribe! In the meantime…

You can read the entirety of Governor Perdue’s press release below:

ATLANTA – Governor Perdue announced today that due to significant rainfall and improved water supplies the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a non-drought schedule for outdoor water use for the first time since June 2006.

“Georgians have seen the most severe drought on record, and have proven their ability to conserve and manage our state’s most precious resource,” said Governor Perdue “We have become more educated about water conservation, and have taken significant steps towards ensuring a long term solution. I believe Georgians will continue to use our water resources wisely under this new outdoor watering schedule.”

Under a non-drought schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days a week on assigned days using odd and even-numbered addresses. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Water use may occur at any time of the day on the assigned days, however landscape watering is discouraged between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m because of its limited effectiveness.

The change in the state’s drought response was announced at a meeting of the State Drought Response Committee. It is the first change since May 2008 when 55 north Georgia counties were under a level four drought response, which prohibits most types of outdoor water use. Middle Georgia counties were assigned a level two response, which limits water use to three days a week midnight to 10 a.m. South Georgia counties, including the coastal region, followed a level one drought response schedule, which allows watering three days a week midnight to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight.

Overall, north Georgians averaged monthly water savings of about 15 percent since November 2007. These reductions come from citizens and Georgia businesses implementing a variety of conservation measures, including waterSmart landscape principles and selecting more efficient indoor fixtures and devices. Georgia’s collective vision for water efficiency is presented in the recently released Water Conservation Implementation Plan (WCIP). Through the goals and practices identified in that plan we can expect to continue to progress toward greater long-term water efficiency. To get more information on waterSmart landscape principles and the Georgia WCIP, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

“We have just lived through one of the worst droughts in Georgia history, and citizens should be applauded for the great job they have done conserving water,” said Carol A. Couch, EPD Director. “The decision to ease outdoor watering restrictions should not be seen as a license to waste water, but as a vote of confidence in Georgians ability to conserve and use water efficiently.”

Large water systems and local governments producing more than 100,000 gallons of water per day in the former level four drought response area must continue to file monthly water use reports. Should water supplies drop and drought conditions reappear, steps will be taken quickly to toughen water use schedules again.

Today, Governor Perdue also announced the use of a new drip irrigation system at the Governor’s Mansion. The Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) and its members partnered with the Governor and mansion staff to landscape the front portion of the Governor’s Mansion. During discussions regarding the efficiencies of drip irrigation, the idea arose to demonstrate the efficient irrigation and best management practices in the landscape. Governor Perdue has been a staunch supporter of the green industry during Georgia’s historic drought and has always been a proponent of water conservation. The mansion grounds proved the perfect stage to demonstrate that not only was it okay to plant again in Georgia but that sustainable landscape projects don’t have to use a lot of water.

“The Governor’s Mansion is now a showplace for water conservation,” said Governor Perdue. “The garden will be a lasting testament to the environmental benefits and beauty that a properly designed and efficient landscape can bring to all Georgians.”

The green industry in Georgia is a leading segment of agriculture. Prior to the drought, economic impact of the industry was estimated to be in excess of $8 billion annually with over 75,000 Georgians employed by nursery growers, landscape firms, garden centers, greenhouse operators, irrigation contractors and allied suppliers. GGIA volunteered materials, labor and their expertise to make the mansion project a full-blown success. Special attention was given to water efficiency and sustainability. Every aspect of the project served as a model for practices that would not only create a beautiful landscape to showcase Georgia grown products, but would do so while using minimal water resources.

Local Decatur Business Offers Home Performance Assessments

May 22, 2009 –Considering that 45% of Decatur and 61% of Atlanta homes were built before 1960, it’s not surprising that local homeowners are often faced with drafty windows and doors and leaky ducts, often resulting in high energy bills.

Renewal System Solutions – sister company of Decatur’s Renewal Design-Build – offers Home Performance with Energy Star, a comprehensive home assessment that reveals where and why a home is not energy efficient. With diagnostic equipment, Renewal can pinpoint a home’s problems and provide the homeowner with solutions. Home improvement services include: energy efficient renovations, HVAC systems, duct systems, crawl space encapsulation, insulation and air sealing, replacement window and doors, and combustion safety. Improvements to the home result in improved energy efficiency and air quality, and lower utility bills.

“Twenty percent of the energy produced in the United States is consumed by homes,” says Renewal CEO Peter Michelson. “By evaluating and making improvements to our homes, we as homeowners are protecting the environment by conserving energy, and we are saving money by cutting costs on our utility bills. It’s a win-win all around.”

Homeowners will not only save on utility bills, but they can also get cash in their pockets through rebates and tax credits. Georgia Power is now offering its customers Home Performance rebates, and there is a multitude of federal tax credits available to those homeowners making green improvements to their homes in 2009 and 2010. For more information on getting your home tested, visit www.RenewalSystemSolutions.com.

For information on RSS or RDB, call 404.378.6962 or visit www.RenewalDesignBuild.com or www.RenewalSystemSolutions.com. You can also contact: Joe Thomas, home performance consultant, at 404.378.6962 or Joe@RenewalSystemSolutions.com

Read more about local Georgia forests and timber and well as the art of timber framing and the Holder Brothers on their blog here!

Below are the top five companies participating in the Energy Star Pledge and the pounds of greenhouse gases saved for 2008-2009!

• Georgia Power Company  181,226,179 lbs. 
•  National Association of Counties (NACo)   123,067,640 lbs.
 
•  TIAA-CREF   112,640,266 lbs.
 
•  ComEd   98,416,895 lbs.
 
•  GE   51,063,693 lbs.

1. a sample of the fuzzy sediment that settled from my blackish-green water sampled (where the iron count was 31.25 ppm). 2. Zack installing a whole house water filter and soldering the copper pipes. 3. The newly installed filter next to a photo of the same filter one month later. They're supposed to last three months! So dirty! 4. The dirty filter compared with a brand new one.

As hard as I try to conserve water, it’s discouraging when the water I DO use comes out in an array of colors ranging from yellowish-brown to blackish-green. Is water the color of sludge even okay for my plants?? Nevermind my skin and insides…

Ever since I bought my house, at completely random times, my water would come out varying shades of murkiness. Operating under the belief that tax-paying citizens are generally entitled to clean water, I kept hounding DeKalb County’s Water and Sanitation Department as well as the Department of Watershed Management to come out and clean up my dirty water. They told me that the problem was most likely iron, which doesn’t make any sense since my pipes are copper all the way from the street to the house and then throughout the house. Nothing galvanized here. They flushed the water lines at the nearest fire hydrant, they replaced the water mains at the top of my yard, and came out to test a few times. Nothing worked nor made sense to them either.

When the Department of Watershed Management came out to test again a few months ago, I also gave them two samples of water that I had taken when it was particularly disgusting. When I got the results (and still no suggestion on appropriate action) on both their samples and my own, I couldn’t believe it and decided I was going to have to figure out a solution on my own.

If you’ve ever had your water tested, these were the results from the testing (ppm = parts per million):

• .03 ppm = the Environmental Protection Agency’s daily recommended dosage of iron
• .16 ppm = my cold water
• .77 ppm = my hot water
• 3 ppm = a yellowish-brown sample that I took
• 31.25 ppm = a greenish-black sample that I took

Holy crap! At its finest, my water had over 1000% of the EPA’s daily recommendation! The DWM informed me that while the EPA has its suggestion as to iron levels, “significant amounts of iron don’t actually pose any threat.” Needless to say, I started researching and asking around to see what other people had done to solve their dirty water problems. Someone had mentioned a whole house filter, so I checked it out.

The whole house water filter that I ended up getting cost less than $40 at Home Depot, plus another $11 or so for a pack of two filters. I tackled the job of installation with 3-4 hours on a Sunday afternoon; copper pipes, fittings, and shut-off valve; a small pipe cutter; solder; a blow-torch; and a wonderful boyfriend who knows how to use all of those things. I tried to do a good job of not getting in the way too much. If all of that sounds intimidating, then I would recommend having a professional plumber install the water filter for you.

As you can see by the photos to the right, the whole house water filter worked! For the first time in over two years, I had clean water!! I had set the alarm that comes with the filter to go off after three months, but after one month, my water pressure started dropping, indicating that it was time to change the filter because it was so clogged with sediment and rust. I still don’t know what exactly is causing my dirty water, but it’s happening before the water comes into the house. Perhaps there is a small crack in my pipe? Or a small bit of nail or something rusting? I don’t know, but for now, I’m happy to feel safe drinking my own water again, even if it does mean changing out the filter every month.

If you’ve had this same issue in DeKalb County, please let me know! Thanks!

Here’s a link to Atlanta’s freecycle yahoo group inside the perimeter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Freecycle-ATL-ITP/

And for a freecycle group in the greater Atlanta area, please visit their site here located on the main website:
http://www.freecycle.org/group/United%20States/Georgia/Atlanta

As an example, last week my next door neighbors posted their broken gas grill up on the Atlanta yahoo freecycle site and within an hour, they had seven responses from interested people. Within a few hours, they had hauled the grill up to the curb where a woman and her husband came by to get it. As a result, the grill, propane tank, cover, etc. were all saved from going in a landfill. And someone received the gift of a free, new-to-them-grill they get to tinker around with and fix.

So check it out for items you may be interested in or to post items you no longer want! Just remember to be quick – items go fast!

American Trade Products Launches 100 Percent Biodegradable Earth Plastic™ Material
Earth Plastic™ Paint Trays and Sundries Available at The Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Sherwin-Williams

ATLANTA – April 23, 2009 – American Trade Products (ATP), an industry leader in thermoformed plastic products, introduced Earth Plastic™, a revolutionary plastic material that is 100 percent biodegradable, made from recycled plastic and a proprietary blend of additives that enables it to break down in landfill and compost environments. It is also 100 percent recyclable.  Unlike traditional plastics which do not biodegrade, Earth Plastic™ additives enable microorganisms to break down the molecular structure of the plastic into soil-like material that is not harmful to the environment.

First Earth Plastic™ Products:  Paint Trays and Sundries
The first consumer products made with Earth Plastic™ are a line of 100 percent biodegradable paint trays and sundries currently available at The Home Depot, select Wal-Mart stores, and Sherwin-Williams across the country.

Earth Plastic™ can be used to manufacture thousands of eco-conscious plastic products which have the identical look, durability, function and shelf-life of non-biodegradable plastic products and are competitively priced.

Dan Limerick, president of American Trade Products, said, “After years of focusing on innovative, eco-friendly products, we are excited to introduce Earth Plastic™, which we believe can transform the plastics industry. We are improving the environment with products that are not only totally biodegradable but are also made with millions of pounds of recycled plastic that could otherwise sit in landfills indefinitely.”

Earth Plastic™ is a natural extension of ATP’s 20-year commitment to providing consumers with earth-friendly yet competitively priced products.  Whether disposed of in landfills, compost heaps or other locations, Earth Plastic™ products biodegrade within approximately two to five years depending on conditions.

Earth Plastic™ additives have been tested and certified as biodegradable by independent laboratories using American Society of Testing Materials’ (ASTM) standard methodologies.  ASTM International is one of the world’s largest and most reputable organizations for developing technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services.

About American Trade Products
Based in Ball Ground, Ga., American Trade Products (ATP) is an industry leader in 100% recyclable thermoformed plastic products including painting, storage and plumbing lines. Products are currently available in America’s largest retailers such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Sherwin-Williams as well as numerous independent retailers nationwide.  Founded in 1990, ATP has long been a pioneer in environmentally-friendly products.  ATP products, made from 100 percent recycled plastic, prevent more than 60 million plastic bottles from entering landfills annually.  ATP has recently introduced Earth Plastic™, a revolutionary plastic material that can be used in the manufacture of 100 percent biodegradable products.  All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.  For more information, visit www.americantradeproducts.com and www.earthplastic.com

In the quest for energy-efficient green homes, the Environmental Protection Agency reached out to the National Association of Home Builders, which works to preserve and protect the homebuilding industry. Greater Atlanta Home Builders is one of over 800 local homebuilding organizations across the nation and happened to be the largest chapter of the National Association of Home Builders at the time, so they were chosen to establish a standard for constructing eco-friendly homes. We’re lucky to have both the Greater Atlanta Home Builders and Southface Energy Institute contributing to our green homes in Atlanta!

It may still take a while to convince more home buyers to buy a home because of its eco-friendly nature, but more people are looking for features that hold the environment in higher regard as is evidenced by material producers’ efforts, the real estate industry’s green certifications, and architects’ and interior designers’ participation.

A slight digression… stay tuned for a future blog on one of the most historic green building practices – timber-framing. My cousin’s husband is a timber-framer with Holder Brothers whose environmentally-friendly work starts with reclaimed wood and spans through the construction of a home assembled with hand-hewn riven pegs.