Green Depot has been chosen as one of five case studies in green building design in a book by Zweigwhite, a trade publisher catering to architects and engineers. The book, “5 Must-Know A/E Lessons in Green Building,” will be available shortly. It discusses why green building has become the norm, what the challenges are in green building, how various rating and certification systems work, and what the future for green building is globally.

The chapter on Green Depot interviews founder Sarah Beatty on her goals for the company’s flagship store.  “Retrofits are a smarter way to use what’s already there,” Beatty is quoted as saying in reference to the historic landmark building at 222 Bowery in Manhattan.  “In an urban space, it’s about history and the fabric of a culture. We wanted to honor what was there, protect its uniqueness, and become the next chapter in the building’s history in an inspiring way.”

Green Depot at 222 Bowery, Manhattan

Project architect Caleb Mulvena of Mapos, LLC is also interviewed.  “[Green Depot] was really the perfect client for a green project because they provide green building products. It made our job a little bit easier, and it also made for a unique project. Because they were providing all of the building products for the project, the team dynamics and the bidding process were a little different.” Mulvena is also quoted explaining that building green used to cost about 25% more than a conventional building, but is now only 5-10% above the mainstream average cost, depending on the products and systems chosen.

The green products chosen for the Bowery store are primarily products that the store sells to commercial and residential customers. Many can be found in the Building Materials section of Green Depot’s e-commerce site.

The general contractor for the project, Chris Yeates of New York Connecticut Development Corporation (NYCT) describes how his own company was changed by the challenge of working with Green Depot.

“[The] project was our first LEED project,” he says. Prior to working on 222 Bowery, they junked everything they tore down in a building.  “For debris removal, we threw everything in one big container, and we searched for the best possible price for getting rid of construction debris.  …Now [we] separate it and find avenues to get rid of debris. We do that on our own but we’ve also seen more of a request from owners. We separate, we recycle, we get things to more responsible landfills, and we reuse as much as we possibly can.”

You can purchase “5 Must-Know A/E Lessons in Green Building “ here.

Yesterday the Associated Press reported on a serious bedbug infestation in New York City. According to the AP story, one out of every 15 New Yorkers (or about 400,000 people) is harassed by bedbugs, and the annoying bloodsuckers “have rapidly multiplied throughout New York and many other U.S. cities in recent years.” According to CNN, New York City’s Bed Bug Advisory Board is launching a $500,000 initiative to combat bedbugs, through education and other eradication efforts.

Bedbugs don’t spread disease, but they can bite your body up pretty well, leaving red spots and scratches and making you itchy, if not bordering on insane. There is a plethora of disgusting photos showing bedbug insult and injury on the web: search “bed bug bites” on Google Images, and prepare to be revolted and have fear instilled in your heart.

Some people decide to throw out all their bedding, clothes, carpet, and upholstered furniture in an effort to get rid of the little buggers, but this is not usually effective because the bugs can re-emerge from their tiny hiding places behind furniture and in walls, and can go for a whole year without eating. Discarded furniture may be picked up by others looking for freebies, and can spread the bugs farther. Some people move in an attempt to escape the bugs, often unwittingly spreading them to other apartments, or even workplaces as the bugs can hitch a ride on clothing. And

Rest Easy Bedbug Spray

not all professional exterminators are adequately educated to deal with bedbugs, says Harold Harlan, a bedbug expert extensively interviewed for this lengthy article on MSNBC.

If your infestation is not totally out of control yet, a number of green products exist to help you tackle bedbugs. Rest Easy Bedbug Spray is one product that offers some respite. It kills and repels bedbugs using all-natural, plant-based ingredients including oils of cinnamon, lemongrass, cloves, and mint.  It won’t harm you, your kids, or your pets either.

EcoZProducts for Bed Bugs is another option; it targets bugs and eggs using an EPA-exempt minimal risk pesticide, and leaves no residue. Like Rest Easy, it’s safe to use around children and pets. Download info here.

If you’ve been afflicted and have tried something successful, please post a comment here so others can learn from your experience.

Have you heard of the insulation made from blue jeans? UltraTouch 100% cotton batt insulation has actually been a very popular seller at Green Depot, and at other purveyors of green building products, for years. When Bonded Logic first started producing the stuff, they sourced the cotton scraps from Mexican textile mills. They were the end-cuttings from making denim blue jeans, and other clothing. I used to have to explain to customers that they weren’t really from old blue jeans themselves, but from post-industrial (pre-consumer) recycled blue jean scrap material.

Jeans on conveyor belt

Rivets & snaps removed

Not anymore! Bonded Logic is now getting ALL their insulation feedstock from actual used blue jeans. Apparently the Goodwills and Salvation Armies of the Texas area cannot sell all the used jeans they take in to enough American kids looking for their grunge fix. And the market for exported textiles

Can I make fun of his hair?

(to Africa and Asia, for example) has dropped off, so there is this huge supply of faded blue jeans that might otherwise end up in a landfill somewhere. Bonded Logic’s suppliers figured out a way to remove (and recycle!) the copper zippers and rivets so that all that’s left is soft, luxuriant shredded blue jean fluff.

People love to smush their faces into its blue, soft pile. At trade shows, women come to my booth and ask me if they can make a futon out of it, or stuff the sofa cushions with it. Kids want to make pillows out of it, or throw the cushy sample blocks at each other. Well, I suppose you can buy a few batts and take a stab at any of those craft projects, but what I’d really recommend is stuffing it into your walls and ceilings. It comes in a range of widths and thicknesses, so no matter what the configuration of your wall, there’s a size for you. Thinnest is 3.5” (R-13), and thickest is 8” (R-30). The R-value is a measure of how well a material insulates; the higher the number, the better. (Read more about R-values here.)

Bubbele! Let me get you a pillowcase

Here are some other nifty facts about UltraTouch:

• You can handle it with bare hands. It won’t irritate your skin like fiberglass.
• Treated with borate: a natural mineral that repels insects and inhibits mold growth
• Great as a sound dampener, too. Teenagers with drum kits, anyone?
• Doesn’t contain formaldehyde (a carcinogen)
• Can contribute to up to 12 LEED credits.

Adian Grenier! How cool is that?

Tax credits available

You may be eligible for a 30% federal tax credit for your insulation project, up to $1.500. See the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star website to learn more. So whether you’re building a new home or an addition, or renovating your existing space with green products, consider using UltraTouch. Summer is a great time to get those insulation projects wrapped up (no pun intended!) before winter falls and you really need it.

You can install it while you’re listening to Dala’s song “Levi Blues” (watch the video!). Great harmonies from a young female duo with a bright future. My 8-year old’s new favorites!

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