Green Product Trends

Using GreenFiber’s Cocoon cellulose insulation contributes to LEED certification. Made with reclaimed newsprint, GreenFiber’s natural fiber insulation products consist of 85 percent recycled content with the remaining content consisting of fire-retardant and stabilizing additives. Based on data from the National Solid Wastes Management Association, recovered newsprint is one of the largest components of the residential waste stream. Insulating a typical 1,500-sq.-ft. home with cellulose insulation recovers as much newsprint as an individual will consume in 40 years. The products contain no asbestos, formaldehyde, mineral wool or fiberglass. Cocoon is treated with permanent fire-retardants to meet and exceed the ICC standards for a Class 1/A fire rated building materials.

To help customers select paint based on green coating standards, Sherwin Williams created their “GreenSure” designation. The company’s Duration Home Interior line features the GreenSure designation for environmentally preferred products with maximum performance. This interior finish promises superior washability and burnish resistance, and is available in matte, satin and semigloss finishes along with deep, vivid accent colors. A patented cross-linking formula prevents stains from penetrating, and this finish is antimicrobial so it inhibits growth of mildew.

MechoShade’s Mecho/5 with EcoVeil shade cloth is a complete solar shading system that is an environmentally friendly system. Mecho/5 is a manual solar shading system that installs easily and operates smoothly with accessories including fascia, pockets, closures and side channels. The EcoVeil shade cloth is made from a new material — a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) based yarn — and is washable, UV-resistant and flame-retardant. Mecho/5 is also antimicrobial, does not support staph and mildew and contains no VOCs, so it does not contribute to sick building syndrome.

Reclaiming the Floor

According to Frank Endrenyi, vice president of sustainable development for Mohawk, “our studies show that half of U.S. consumers now recycle either bottles or newspapers. In 2004, 21 percent said they voted for candidates in part based on their environmental records. Ninety-nine percent of school children now have access to environmental classes.”

For Mohawk SmartStrand, petroleum is substituted with corn sugar to create Bio-PDO — a key ingredient in the carpeting made with DuPont Sorona polymer. SmartStrand promises superior stain resistance for substances including mustard, red wine, bleach, acne medication, and others. Mohawk recently launched a new umbrella program called “Greenworks” that places all green projects under a single platform for their customers and shareholders.

EcoTimber is the first flooring company in North America to offer bamboo flooring made with formaldehyde-free adhesives as a standard product. EcoTimber uses top-quality mature bamboo stalks and a low-VOC European adhesive that falls far below the European E1 standard for indoor air quality. The flooring is prefinished with an aluminum oxide enhanced acrylated urethane system with a hardened acrylic anti-scratch topcoat to protect against abrasion and scratching.

Bio-Bathrooms

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the EPA. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services. Many manufacturers offer products that meet WaterSense standards, but some go above and beyond the standards for water conservation with maximum efficiency.
Toto’s Aquia Dual Flush Toilet allows the user to select the amount of water the toilet flushes: 0.9 gal. per flush (gpf) or 1.6 gpf. This feature matches water consumption with the needs of the user. Aquia is designed for residential installations where the users understand and appreciate the function of the dual flush system.

The Kohler San Raphael is the company’s first one-piece, 1.0-gpf high-efficiency toilet with pressure assist technology. The toilet uses compressed air within the reservoir to propel water to the rim and a siphon jet for robust flushing power. The 1.0 has the potential to save a household of four between 7,000 and 10,000 gal. of water annually. The San Raphael toilet features a sleek one-piece design, with Comfort Height seating and an elongated bowl for ease of use. This toilet has garnered the EPA’s WaterSense label.

Kohler also offers cast iron products that are comprised of 93 percent recycled and reclaimed material. The company’s cast iron bathroom and kitchen sinks, bathtubs and shower receptors come in more vibrant color options than any other material. Cast iron won’t chip, dent, crack, stain or lose its luster.