Green Buildings Aren't Just for Big Business

Bricks salvaged from a Chicago warehouse

On one occasion, I discussed LEED certification of the UEC building in Riverside Park with a staff member.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It is a voluntary green building certification program developed by the US Green Building Council.  The LEED program provides a measurable rating system for building owners to determine how their building and its systems are improving environmental and human health.  I work for a company that specializes in energy efficiency and creating sustainable building environments, so I am regularly surrounded by examples of LEED concepts and strategies.

The UEC decided not to go for the certification.  In the first place, it costs money, and the center would rather put those funds to work directly in its community education programs.  Second, the UEC promotes the philosophy that green buildings and sustainable landscapes are the business of everyone in the community, whether or not you get a shiny plaque from the Green Building Council.  The UEC put up their own plaques around the building to show how the building was constructed with sustainable building principles.

In addition to showing what was done in this particular building, the UEC houses a Sustainable Building Exhibit.  This is a library of resources for eco-friendly building materials and systems. The exhibit includes product samples for a variety of green building materials from basic paint to blue jean insulation to recycled content simulated shakes.  (If you’re saying to yourself, “What’s a shake?” it’s time to log onto www.urbanecologycenter.org/resources-and-research/sustainable-building-exhib.html)

Seeing the plaque above in the women's restroom inspired me to look for a mirror and fixtures for my own bathroom at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (www.milwaukeehabitat.org/pages/view/restore).  This is an excellent place to find new construction material and recycled home furnishings that are still perfectly useful, but would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.