Green Jobs in Construction

The Construction Industry is in a strong position to help steer the economy into a more sustainable environment by choosing more green or eco-friendly practices to protect the natural environment. Through new and innovative construction materials and practices, job growth in the construction industry could triple from 1 million workers to 3 million by 2013, with an estimated value of 53 billion dollars into the economy according to the U.S. Greenbuilding Council and The Booz Allen study. These estimates did not include employment by suppliers, manufactures, transportation or any other construction related job growth.

 Well, what is “green construction”?

Green Construction is the practice of building structures that leave little to no impact on the environment, while using a goal of up to 100% recycled materials. The buildings must also be energy and resource efficient. The goal is to add to the natural environment, not subtract from it.

The benefits of the “green” construction doesn’t necessarily mean just saving the planet, but  instead going green in this industry means a drop in cost for products which can be produced locally and energy and operation efficiency.  85 to 90 percent of construction waste is recyclable, and because of that, fewer raw materials are needed to produce various construction products, which translate into less transportation cost. Plastic and rubber are recycled and formed to emulate wood shakes or slate, and the result is a very durable, sustainable roofing material-and that is just recycled roofing shingles.

The change in construction practices could change the economic landscape in the U.S dramatically. Manufacturing would have to race to keep up to the demand, which would also create more innovative green technology. Jobs all across the American would grow from the result of Going Green.  

Pioneering the Green Economy

We are in the early stages of the green economy, pioneering across the country like eastern settlers looking for opportunity in the frontier of the west. New environmentally friendly business practices are being defined, and with that, a stronger market for "green" products, services and industries. The future of business is taking its first new steps and an eco-friendly economy that practices sustainability will be the new norm.

To put into perspective of where we were and where we are going, look at this new emerging “going green” conscious into a scope that can be better understood. Take for example the Industrial Revolution. Without it, society would not have been able to create the economy that relied heavily on efficiency, abundance and technological advancement. The new green economy can and will be have the same effect on businesses all across the globe.

The construction industry alone could create millions of new jobs across the United States if 100% Reduce, Reuse and Recycle policies were put into practice. Green Collar jobs would range from mechanics that work on the machinery the Contractors use, to the disposal of materials to be recycled. The architectural firm who has to design a building with the least amount of environmental impact, to company that has to create those materials-the possibilities are enormous.

As the rise of green industry takes shape, so will the technology to improve upon it will also continue to grow. New industries will emerge if we give it the attention and American ingenuity to move it at a rapid pace. History shows what the American public can do. We took the movie industry and gave it a place in history. Our creative marketing endeavors have made the golden arches what it is today. The internet, well, what has America contributed to the internet, all that can be said is; we took the World Wide Web and turned it into a universe.   

We have seen what the Industrial Revolution has brought us, it is time for a Green Movement to finally take hold and push our economy to a more sustainable future. New green energy jobs, green job training and green construction are just a minor fraction of the job creation if we all embrace the green movement and push our economy into a new frontier. Now is not the time to circle the wagons, but to explore further the possibility of a new green economy.

Why you should recycle...

(Here are a variety of  simple statistics found on the internet to help promote recycling)

Did you know that the average U.S citizen produces roughly 1,700 pounds of waste a year, that generates over 4lbs. a year for every man, woman and child? If every American just recycled paper, glass and metal, over 70% of the waste stream would be reduced, and 165 million tons of material would be prevented from entering our landfills.

Did you know that currently in the United States, we recycle only 29% of our trash a year? The EPA estimates that if we raised that percentage to 35%, we could help reduce greenhouse gases that would be the equivalent of taking 7 million cars off the road. That is by increasing just 10% more in our recycling habits.

Visit your local municipalities website to learn more on what you can and can not recycle in your community. Most departments of sanitation offer ways to recycle toxic items such as car oil, paint, tires, batteries and electronic equipment. Some special arrangements must be made in order to have certain items removed from the curb-side of your home. Again, please contact your local governmental services to learn more, and to find out where you might be able to drop items to be recycled. 

Remember to find out where you can go to recycle you electronic items. Computers and batteries contain mercury and lead that could leak into ground water if not disposed of properly. The average life span for a computer is three years before we are willing to purchase a new one.. The EPA says that just the U.S Government alone disposes of over 15,000 computers a week, that's not including what the average American consumer does when disposing a computer or electronic device.

We all can do better to improve our recycling habits. Some financial economist estimates billions for businesses that are geared towards recycling and recycling practices. Collectively, we together can make the change we want to see in a more sustainable future.

Visit http://www.earth911.com or contact 1.800.CLEANUP to learn more about safely removing these products from your home.

8 Ways to green up your home for a healthier life

1.  Open up your windows (Ventilate your home) By keeping the windows in your home open and letting fresh air in for a few minutes each day, allows fumes from chemical treated products to evaporate faster, as well as remove dust and particles.  

2.   Turn your home into an oven...complete opposite from ventilation, baking your home allows you to turn the heat as high as possible in your home for a few hours to kill any mold growth without using any dangerous or questionable chemicals.

3.    Insulate your home...the better insulated your house is, the less energy you will use to heat or cool your home. Look for energy saving materials made from recycled products that are none toxic.

4.    Remove your carpet....carpets trap dust, dirt, mold and other toxins from outside in the most heavily used areas in your home. Wood or tiled floors are easier to clean and also much healthier. If you’re still looking to keep some carpet in your home, consider area rugs that can be taken out and cleaned regularly.

5.    Get a new mattress... Most mattresses today are treated with flame-retardant chemicals and slowly release toxic gas fumes over time that could have an impact on your health. Purchase a mattress made from organic materials. Just remember your body and faces are resting on for hours a night.

6.    Get rid of artificial products...All artificial products either personal care or home cleaning, contain harmful toxic ingredients that could be harmful to your health and leave trace amounts throughout your home.

7.    Invest, invest, invest...purchase a home water purification unit to place on your kitchen faucet. Water treatment in the United States is one of the best on the planet, but trace amounts of chemicals from a wide range of variables including, ground water contamination, chemical rain, aging water municipalities could affect the water in your area. It is always better to be prepared.

8.    Buy plants. Load your home with indoor plants. Air quality in the average American home is far worse than it is outside, since American homes in the 21st century are more airtight. Indoor plants help filter the air in the rooms of your home with no energy used. Just water regularly and let Mother Nature do the rest.

The dirty word; "disposable"

Facts are in; we are living in a disposable society. Disposable items make our lives easier and in return, are choking the limitations of our landfills and polluting our environment. Some consider most everyday electronics like computers and phones disposable products-even some people think of cars as disposable.

Items such as razors, toothbrushes, paper, grocery bags, toys, electronics and even discarded food are among the most listed items with disposable packaging. One common factor among all these products is that most if not all, are made from plastic.

Think about all the items that you physically handle on a daily basis. Plastic grocery bags are one of the most rapidly growing disposables to fill U.S landfills. Light, cheaply made, strong, weather-proof and durable, the world is estimated to use over 1 trillion bags a year. Only a fraction of 3.2% is being recycled from the 80% of just what the U.S consumes alone.

Another such item you would most likely handle on a daily basis is the disposable cup. The average American office worker uses about 500 disposable cups a year. We are all guilty of visiting our local eatery and ordering off the menu with little or no concern about the packaging our food comes in.

The mentality with most businesses is why pay the price for more costly packaging material if the consumer isn't asking for it? Prices are already costly enough to compete effectively in today's market, why go green? The answer is, because a growing consumer base will demand it. The cost of virgin materials and the energy to produce these products will be reevaluated when growing customer demand is met by green innovation and design. The consumer is the driving force to today's growing green market.

The next time you are eating lunch at your favorite restaurant or grocery store, or have a few minutes after super at your local dinner or shopping experience, to find out if the business that you are patronizing, has a sustainable practice when it comes to purchasing or selling products with the minimal amount of packaging material.

You will be pleasantly surprised with the many businesses that employ sound and safe recyclable and disposable practices.

Go Green!

Turn that morning coffee into a greener cup of Joe

If your like almost everyone in America, you can not start your morning without a cup of coffee. And for most of us in our busy lives, the quick stop to your local coffee house before you start your day is the first thing on your morning to do list.

Today, most of your favorite local java shops offer paper cups made with a portion of recycled materials that are biodegradable. If not, talk to the owner ask ask him or her to switch to paper based cups or ask them if it would be alright if you would be able to bring your own cup from home with every stop. Some retailers in the coffee business offer incentives to customers who provide their own cups.

Stop by your local resale shop to purchase a good ole fashion ceramic mug to take with you when you buy your favorite cup of coffee. Make sure to leave it in your car or bag so that you do not forget it for every purchase of coffee. Take an additional mug with you to work to leave at your desk. When that morning break comes, and you want that cup of Joe from the cafeteria, you can set an example of  good green company policy buy supplying your own cup.

Absolutely, do not accept any hot beverages in a styrofoam cup. Styrofoam is one of the leading products that are clogging landfills in the Unites States, rivaling plastic water bottles. The chemicals used to create styrene used in styrofoam cups, is said to cause extreme respiratory problems with people with weak or compromised immune systems.

Simple and green conscious steps towards a greener environment are easy and cost effective.

Buy organic

Buying organic foods like meats, dairy products, fish, fruit, coffee and tea is perhaps one of the most important steps to improving the environment. A trip to your local market that supplies locally grown fruits and vegetables result in less energy used to transport products and goods to your area.

Foods are typically grown in soils that have been fertilized and sprayed by chemical fertilizers and pesticides to prevent insect infestation, extended shelf life and added preservatives to flavor and improve taste and packaging convenience. Certain scientific studies suggest that the rise in illnesses like digestive problems and some cancers are linked to the chemicals we use on our foods. Conventional foods today have the highest levels of contamination then ever in our history.

Organic foods are grown without the use of chemically synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones added to alter the fruit, vegetable or meat. Farmers who grow organic products or goods improve the environment on the farm by sound soil ecology practices and are able to produce more nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Not only purchasing organic products good for the environment, it is also good for your health. You can take big strides in a more healthier lifestyle by taking small steps to buying organic versions of the everyday products you purchase. You will be taking care of the planet and your health all at the same time.