With every day more examples are generated showing that “green building” practices save energy, money, and resources by creating homes and commercial space that is appealing and environmentally friendly.
In the U.S., buildings are responsible for:
- Thirty-nine percent of total energy use
- Twelve percent of water consumption
- Sixty-eight percent of electrical consumption
- Thirty-eight percent of all carbon dioxide emissions
By enacting green building practices, businesses can maximize both environmental and economic performance. Green building practices can easily be incorporated into the building process at any stage, from design to construction, renovation and deconstruction. However, the greatest benefits can be derived if the design and construction team begins their planning and implementation at the earliest stages of a project. Some of the positive environmental outcomes of green building include:
- Environmental protection
- Enhance and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems
- Improve air and water quality
- Reduce waste streams
- Conserve natural resources
WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Building green doesn’t have to cost extra “green”! Research the materials options that are available when planning for your next building project – you’ll be surprised by the choices and their relative cost.