Making a Difference on Earth Day
Earth Day is today. But what can we do to make a difference to protect the environment? Well, it turns out there’s a lot we can do! In our first annual Earth Day blog post, we highlight a few of our favorite green building products that you can purchase, manufactured by companies that inspire us by demonstrating their commitment to the environment on Earth Day and every day.
1. Food Waste Disposer by InSinkErator
Still sending your leftovers to the landfill? InSinkErator states that almost 34,000,000 tons of food waste is trucked to US landfills. This food decomposes and produces methane gas, an environmentally harmful greenhouse gas. Food waste disposers provide a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to transporting leftovers to landfills.
Inspiration: InSinkErator is researching ways of recycling food waste into energy and fertilizer at wastewater treatment plants.
Our Take: 545 North, Chili U, and Shakou Sushi restaurants, utilized InSinkErator’s durable, practical, and environmentally responsible commercial food waste disposers for kitchen efficiency and environmental benefits.
2. Windows and Doors by Marvin
Contributing to a greener future for all of us, Marvin offers 150,000 options that are ENERGY STAR rated. Find the right energy–efficient windows and doors to save energy, earn federal tax credits, encourage sustainable building practices, and experience better thermal comfort.
Inspiration: Their commitment to recycling – Since the 1960’s, Marvin has been using sawdust, a waste product of manufacturing, to fuel their boilers. Unlike most recycling efforts, this one involves no fuel in moving the product.
Our Take: Muller Building utilized Marvin windows for their beauty, appropriateness for an historic structure, ease of operation, and energy efficiency.
3. LED Lighting by CREE
Innovative and practical, CREE LED fixtures have improved color rendition, are more energy efficient, durable, longer lasting, and are produced with less energy.
Inspiration: CREE’s focus on LED lamps. LED fixtures use less energy than fluorescent fixtures; they have vastly better color rendition; dimming capability leads to longer lamp life; reduced environmental hazard due to mercury content; and less copper wiring is used because we can put more fixtures on each circuit.
Our Take: The new State Bank of the Lakes in Round Lake Beach for Wintrust Financial for their appearance and all of the features noted above. Read more about LED lamps in our previous blog post.
On Earth Day and every day, consider purchasing these building products for your home or business. In Marvin’s words, “Be inspired. Then become an inspiration.”
