Increase Profits with Recycling and Reuse Best Practices

There's a great article on Triple Pundit on how to make money by recycling and reusing construction material. It comes as a result of re-occurring questions that many designers, home owners, architects, developers, builders and many others about what to do with stuff coming out of projects. 

PlanetReuse would like to thank Bill Roth, Founder of Earth 2017, for his time, interest and continued outreach to help raise awareness about building material reuse.

Here is preview of the article and a link for the balance of the piece, including a link to a short video from our discussion with Bill at Sustainable Brands '12 earlier this year:

 

"Construction managers’ success in recycling and re-purposing materials/fixtures can make the difference on whether a construction project comes in on budget in today’s still-depressed construction industry. Two factors are driving this trend. The first is the increasing value real estate buyers and renters place upon green labeled buildings. In California a green labeled home sells for a 9 percent premium. In the commercial building market the increasing numbers of companies focused on operational efficiency has created a strong rental market for USGBC LEED certified buildings. A key feature of LEED certification and other green labeled buildings is the reuse of materials, fixtures and buildings.

Construction recycling/reuse best practices
The other major driver is a growing market in recycled materials and reusable fixtures. The construction industry uses more materials by weight than any other industry in the United States producing 325 million tons of recoverable construction and demolition materials. Approximately 8,000 lbs of waste are thrown into the landfill during the construction of a 2,000 square foot home. That is a lot of construction dollars that will either be lost to landfill tipping fees or gained by successfully selling this material for recycling or reuse."

Here's a link to the rest of Bill's article.  Enjoy!

Studio 804 Chooses Reuse - Storefront glass panels and more

Studio 804 is a team of graduate students working towards gaining their masters in architecture in the Architecture, Design, and Planning program from the University of Kansas. Studio 804 has been in existence for sixteen years and has consistently designed and produced sixteen projects during that time. Each year, in their final year in the program, Studio 804 project consists of spending the fall semester creating the design, identifying the needs and goals, estimating the cost, and locating the materials needed. The spring semester is dedicated to the construction of the structure.

Dan Rockhill, executive director of Studio 804 and professor of architecture at KU, oversees the project in its entirety and guides the students as they learn what it takes to take a design from conceptualization to completion.

This year’s project, “Galileo’s Pavilion,” was designed to enhance the sculptural piece “Galileo’s Garden” designed by Dale Eldred. It is a three room structure consisting of two class rooms and one collaborative space. The structure was designed using passive solar building principles and includes three green wall systems. A bulk amount of the materials used for the project was reclaimed materials. Reclaimed slate from school chalkboards was used for the exterior siding and the storefront glass used for the project was recycled from a canceled commercial project. Resourcing reclaimed materials for the project assisted in gaining additional LEED points, cut the cost of the project, and kept those materials from being otherwise being dumped into a landfill. PlanetReuse assisted in the outsourcing of the glass material for the building. The glass was salvaged from a Moshe Safdie commercial project that was started and cancelled in the Plaza Area of Kansas City, MO.

One of the standing goals of the project was education for the present and the future. The building was designed as a tool of interaction and education for “green” design and “green” building techniques. Said Dr. Jay Antle, the sustainability director for the project, “…everyday this building will be educating students about what building can be and should be.”

Galileo’s Pavilion is a response to Johnson County Community College’s goal for sustainability. Though it has not been achieved, it is set to gain a LEED Platinum rating. This will be Studio 804’s fifth LEED Platinum building and the 4th LEED Platinum building in Kansas (the others which are located in Greensburg).

Congratulations to Studio 804 on their accomplishment and completion of "Galileo's Pavilion."

PlanetReuse Begins Beta Testing New National Online Platform for Reuse Centers

Since 2008, PlanetReuse has been expertly matching commercial materials with designers, builders and owners to save projects money, serve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) efforts and sustain the planet. PlanetReuse is now expanding its services to make use of reclaimed building materials more commonplace in the residential construction market.

Publish Post

PlanetReuse has begun testing its proprietary InvenQuery technology platform, a web- and mobile app-based system that offers real-time inventory, point-of-sale and e-commerce serviced tailored for the reuse center industry. Formerly called PlanetRestore, the InvenQuery technology platform will power PlanetReuse Marketplace, an online store to debut later this year, that will help reuse centers make reclaimed and surplus building materials instantly accessible to homeowners nationwide.

Currently, reuse centers sell less than 5% of their inventory online. If you are a reuse center interested in learning more about InvenQuery and PlanetReuse Marketplace (coming soon), please contact us at raeann@planetreuse.com.

USGBC Webinar - Building & Material Reuse: Understanding the Challenges, Celebrating the Successes, and Navigating the Credits

Session Description:
The LEED credits related to building reuse (Materials & Resources Credits 1.1 and 1.2) and material reuse (Materials & Resources Credits 3.1 and 3.2) are some of the least utilized credits within the rating system. In a time of increasingly limited resources and a growing awareness around sustainable stewardship, however, building and material reuse represents one of the ultimate forms of resource conservation. The reuse of existing built fabric can be economically pragmatic, nurture communities, and provide vision of how to live more sustainably.

Join USGBC for this exciting webinar session, addressing reuse and credit challenges and opportunities, innovative tools and resources available, and strategies to utilize reuse as a vehicle for creativity and sustainability. Upon completion of this webinar session, attendees will gain a greater understanding of how to integrate building and material reuse into their projects and useful strategies for navigating the related LEED credits.

Learning Objectives:

• Define foundational concepts related to building and material reuse
• Outline credit intent and techniques that support credit achievement in Materials & Resources Credits 1.1, 1.2, 3.1 and 3.2
• Discuss, through case studies and anecdotal stories, effective strategies and methods for building and material reuse
• Identify tools and resources available to support designing with material reuse, material and team logistics, and LEED certification processes  

Speakers:
Moderator:  Sarah Buffaloe, LEED Resource Development, USGBC
Presenter 1: Liz Ogbu, Public Architecture
Presenter 2: Nathan Benjamin, PlanetReuse & PlanetRestore

Live Date: April 7th, 2011: 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET 
 
Continuing Education Hours: This session has been registered for 1.5 hrs with AIA/CES, GBCI
Pricing Information: $60 for members, $75 for non-members

To register: Link to USGBC website

Greenbuild 2010 - PlanetReuse

It's going to be another great conference!  

Things will be kicked-off by General Colin L. Powell in the Keynote, there will be many great speakers, and will be closed by Paul Hawken. 

General Powell has made another career of sharing his lessons of leadership, honed through his distinguished military service, his tenure as the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his role as Secretary of State. His keen insights and global perspective are especially relevant to our movement in these times of great challenge and change.


Paul Hawken has authored four national bestsellers – "The Next Economy," "Growing a Business," "The Ecology of Commerce" and "Blessed Unrest" – and co-authored "Natural Capitalism" with Amory Lovins. He is currently CEO of OneSun Energy, which is focused on ultra low-cost solar PV based on green chemistry and biomimicry.




Going to the Expo??  Come by and see us, we will be in Booth#1296.  
(Looking for Expo passes?  Just let us know how we can help with free passes).

For an interactive map of the Expo Floor, click here and go to the upper left-hand corner of the "F1" thumbnail.

Look for our booth made many types of reclaimed materials, including reclaimed office furniture, steel, wood flooring, granite flooring, reclaimed brick, granite pavers, and many other reclaimed samples.  It will look similar to the booth from last year (as seen in photo at the right - reusing most of the booth, of course), but there will be some revised products so stop by.

We will also be introducing our latest development, PlanetRestore.  Want to know more?  Come on by.

Going to the Educational Sessions??
Join in a panel discussion at Chicago's Rebuilding Exchange location about how architects and contractors can incorporate reused materials into their project process, with a focused discussion and explanation of Materials Reuse in LEED, and how reused materials can impact LEED projects across rating systems.

PlanetReuse, the Rebuilding Exchange, OWPP/Cannon Designs, Studio Gang will present.  To sign up, go to OF04 on course registration.

GreenTown Chicago 2010

GreenTown: The Future of Community is designed to help create sustainable communities. Mayors and elected officials, public works directors, park district directors, planners, developers, architects, landscape architects, builders, school leaders and others interested in seeing how a community can become greener, gather to hear from inspiring speakers, learn from been-there case studies and discuss actionable ways to make communities greener, healthier and more prosperous.

GreenTown Chicago will be held on October 13-14, 2010, at Columbia College Chicago and will be sponsored by the City of Chicago, Department of Environment. 

There are many great presenters from the City of Chicago, Animal Planet and Planet Green, iGo, Seven Generations Ahead, Plant Chicago, City of San Francisco, Chicago Public Schools, and many, many more.  Here is a preliminary agenda from the event, Agenda.

One of the many great breakout sessions:

Innovation in Building Material Waste Reuse & Recycling.   This panel will feature managers of two Chicago businesses that are reusing or recycling large volumes of construction & demolition waste and a business that makes it easy for architects and builders to find reclaimed materials for their projects.  The ReBuilding Exchange (RX), a new Chicago-based building material reuse store that diverted 1,200 tons of building materials from deconstructed homes and residential rehab work in its first year of operations.  Recycling Systems, Inc. is sorting and reselling even greater volumes of C&D waste from demolition activity in Chicago.  PlanetReuse matches reclaimed materials with designers and builders to save projects money. Panelists will discuss major markets and customers and present visuals of how materials are being reused or recycled by contractors, designers and how the use of recycled materials can help buildings earn LEED certification.

Moderator:  Chris Slattery, Senior Director, Delta Institute

Panelists: 
·         Meegan Czop, Business Manager, the ReBuilding Exchange
·         Jerry Golf, Jr., President, Recycling Systems, Inc.
·         Nathan Benjamin, Principal + Founder, PlanetReuse

This “Biocycle #2” breakout will run from 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. on October 14, 2010.

PlanetReuse Lists Its Lines of Reclaimed Building Materials on GreenWizard

To Advance Sustainable Building and LEED Credits, PlanetReuse Partners with GreenWizard to Provide Comprehensive Online Source for Reclaimed, FSC, & Excess New Building Materials

PRESS RELEASE:
Charleston, SC – September 1, 2010 – GreenWizard, Inc., the largest collection of green building product data for intelligent material selection, and PlanetReuse, a consulting-and-brokering company focused on reclaimed, FSC, and excess new building materials, have formed a new alliance that makes reclaimed building materials even more accessible to architects, engineers, and contractors (AEC) focused on LEED credits and green-and-sustainable building.

Initially, PlanetReuse will list 20+ categories of reclaimed and excess new building products in GreenWizard’s database.  A product specifier can request a product by category (e.g. wood, flooring, furniture, doors, etc.), and enter in their project location.  With that information, the team at PlanetReuse will source the product from its regional inventory or actively search for the desired product in current demolition and salvage projects. The quality and quantity of the reclaimed products are assured by PlanetReuse.

PlanetReuse prefers to engage AEC firms, owners, and contractors during the design-and-preconstruction phases, because that’s the way to maximize LEED credits through local use, which takes advanced planning.  PlanetReuse works at no cost to the design team during the design phase on projects, and its minimal brokering fee is included when materials are delivered to the new project, so PlanetReuse’s service is essentially free-of-charge.  With planning, PlanetReuse clients typically obtain reused products for less than the cost of new.

“Only 6 to 8% of LEED-certified projects have ever obtained the LEED Materials Reuse credits, MRc3.1 or MRc3.2, which require that 5%-10% of materials have been installed previously,” explains Nathan Benjamin, PlanetReuse’s Principal + Founder.  “We believe we can drive that number significantly higher.  After all, it’s a relatively easy LEED credit to obtain when working through the process with partners like PlanetReuse and Green Wizard.”

“AEC firms are not adverse to using reclaimed materials, if they are quality- and quantity-assured,” explains GreenWizard’s Adam Bernholz.  “Now, with PlanetReuse, those firms finally have a viable alternative materials source.”

About PlanetReuse

If you make using reclaimed material reuse easier, more people will do it.  This simple but revolutionary goal drove the founders of PlanetReuse to create a new kind of company. Frustrated by the time and resources it took to track down salvaged materials for their own commercial projects, the PlanetReuse team took an entrepreneurial leap to uncover a solution for the entire built industry.

Initially an internet-based e-commerce material website, PlanetReuse has evolved into a consulting-and-brokering company focused on providing the insight, experience, and materials its clients need.  With a well-defined and efficient process, PlanetReuse expertly matches materials with designers, builders, and owners to save projects money, serve LEED efforts, and sustain the planet. Under the leadership of founder Nathan Benjamin, the company has grown 300 percent in the last year. Learn more: www.PlanetReuse.com

About GreenWizard

GreenWizard Inc. is a technology company offering the most comprehensive web-based software platform for green building materials from thousands of manufacturers. GreenWizard’s WORKflow Pro software is the only data-driven workflow solution helping the design and construction community by putting search, compare, purchase, and LEED documentation capabilities at their fingertips. MARKET Pro software is the only data-driven marketing solution that brings green building products face to face with decision makers in the design and construction community actively engaged in projects.  The Company employs a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) software model delivered over the Internet for its process automation tool, communication center, business analytics, and interactive marketplace. Combined, this platform allows project participants to efficiently navigate the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of green building products, utilizing the most advanced analytical tools and information available in the market. The Charleston, SC-based company was founded in 2008.  More info: www.GreenWizard.com.

Recap: 2010 National Demolition Association Annual Convention

This year, the 2010 National Demolition Association Annual Convention was held at The Mirage in Las Vegas March 20-23. The NDA convention hosted many events which included the Exhibit Hall, Golf Tournament, speakers, and various breakout sessions. The Mirage Exhibit Hall boasted the ability to accommodate demolition equipment of any size from "everyone involved in the demolition process from around the globe."

As yet another sign that things are changing across all industries when it comes to sustainability, breakout sessions about sustainability and speakers engaged throughout the conference were equally as impressive. In addition to many other great sessions, one session explained the importance of LEED certification and was delivered exclusively to those involved with the demolition process as opposed to deconstruction. In the session, Nathan Benjamin was afforded the opportunity to speak about the significance of salvaging materials alongside John Lloyd of Lloyd's Construction Services Inc., and Jason Haus of Dem-Con Cos. LLC. It created a great dialog that received great feedback and questions. To get another perspective on this year's annual convention, click here for a wrap-up by "Recycling Today."

Steel Reuse in May issue of Modern Steel Construction

Steel Reuse in New Commercial Construction?? Never seen it before? Don't think it's possible? You're going to see it more and more as designers look beyond the easy recycling option of structural steel.

In the May 2010 issue of Modern Steel Construction you can read "Reclaimed Structural Steel and LEED Credit MR 3 - Materials Reuse", a great progressive article by Erika Winters-Downey with the AISC. Erika examines associated costs, testing, carbon footprint information, and the open communication between the steel fabricator and the Engineer of Record. She also discusses how, "reclaiming and reusing steel products provides a strong environmental option not available with many other construction materials." Great research and data to support a change in thought that needs to happen more and more. PlanetReuse was happy to help with research and provide information to help push the reuse industry further forward with materials that are commonly overlooked.

To read the article in it's entirety, click on the images or go here and flip to page 64.

Greening the Heartland 2010: May 19-21.

The 7th annual Greening the Heartland conference will be held in Minneapolis on May 19-21. This years' theme will be "Bridging" since it is now being held by both the USGBC of Minnesota and Minnesota Green Communities. Keynote for the conference will be the executive director and co-founder of Architecture for Humanity, Cameron Sinclair. Other than offering the opportunity to hear esteemed speakers, there will also be a USGBC-Heartland Regional Council meeting, workshops, sessions and tours of notable downtown Minneapolis architecture. Nathan Benjamin will be speaking on the topic of, 'Reclaimed Material Reuse: Bridging the Gap Between Have and Need' as part of the 'Holistic Green Track' sessions offered on Friday, the 21st.

The varying events scheduled at this conference will help to create an experience for attendees that will enrich their knowledge of sustainability, environmental protection, green building, social justice, LEED and Green Communities criteria. Check out more information on this must-attend event here.

Reuse Development: The Missing Phase in the Design and Construction Process- SP'10 Newsletter

Deadlines, schedules and routines are constants in the design and construction world. It can be challenging to incorporate new ideas into a process that’s already so demanding. So, how do we keep evolving? By making sure the concepts we embrace are faster, smarter and more cost-effective. When thinking green, the industry demands solutions that are as beneficial for the project as they are for the planet.

Traditionally, material reuse in commercial construction has been subject to mis-perceptions that limited the practice. But as the movement progresses, times change. And as many sustainably-minded professionals have demonstrated over the years, when you perpetuate beneficial adjustments to the system, the system responds.

This same approach is revolutionizing the way people view material reuse. By overcoming and solving reuse material concerns, people are changing these processes—not only for good, but for the greater good.

The old-school design process is familiar: Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents. But is something missing? Bayne Dickinson of Concordia Architects asks, “With no cost to projects, possible savings and LEED points, why wouldn't I run every project through your company? It's a great idea to open all projects up to more reuse opportunities.”

PlanetReuse is on a mission to encourage Reuse Development as a part of the process on every project, regardless of whether LEED certification is planned. Material reuse saves clients money, helps divert materials from landfills and provides great stories of reuse—without complicating the design process.

Reuse Development is a cost-free way to evaluate reclaimed material opportunities. By considering reuse opportunities earlier in the process, the scope of potential materials grows exponentially. And because the efforts happen in parallel with design work, there is no impact to the schedule.

In the new model, the design process becomes: Schematic Design, Reuse Development, Design Development and Construction Documents.

Here’s how it works: send PlanetReuse project drawings as PDFs—the earlier the better—with a project description or material lists if available. PlanetReuse assembles a summary of reclaimed materials for use on your project, including options like structural steel, access flooring, office furniture, carpet tile and many other items. Once identified and reviewed, the company coordinates photos, samples, purchase orders and shipping.

PlanetReuse is working with designers to reframe the typical process to include reuse development. “Sustainable designers want to do the right thing. Architects ask me to send them reminders about our services all the time, since it isn’t part of the traditional process—yet,” said PlanetReuse Principal + Founder Nathan Benjamin. “Material reuse doesn’t have to require additional budget or time, and it’s within the realm of possibility for all projects. We’re here to show people that it’s easy too.”

Continue the Earth Day Commitment with LEED/Living Building Challenge Radius Requirements- SP'10- Newsletter

Last week’s Earth Day celebration marked a wonderful upsurge in attention to sustainable activities. Many cities planned week-long activities to increase awareness of recycling and energy efficiency, offering significant opportunities to educate youth and shift mindsets for daily routines.

The official holiday is also a good time to consider your personal and professional goals for aiding the planet throughout the year. The Earth Day mindset can certainly apply to the professional world, specifically in how projects are conceived and constructed. A major way to think sustainably in the building process is to source and specify local and regional materials. This cuts down on the fuel consumption and pollution necessary to truck materials long distances.

The USGBC’s LEED requirements have successfully promoted this practice by establishing criteria that encourages sourcing materials within a 500-mile radius. Cascadia’s Living Building Challenge Project requirements raise the bar by requiring all materials to be sourced from within a more restricted radii based on material weight (250, 500 and maximum of 1,000 miles from origin/source and project site). But even projects that aren’t pursuing certification can benefit from local and regional sourcing.

PlanetReuse works with clients to source materials as close to the project site as possible, both for sustainable and financial reasons. “Not only is it good for the environment, it also cuts down on the transportation costs,” said Tim Bensman, PlanetReuse Operations Manager. “Reduced shipping costs, a smaller carbon footprint and landfill diversion all in one makes sourcing local reclaimed materials an attractive choice.”

The company helped source and coordinate many reclaimed materials for the first two projects slated for Living Building Challenge certification in the Omega Center for Spiritual Living and the Tyson Research Center at Washington University. “Providing regional, reclaimed material options can go a long way in helping design teams hit their goals,” said Nathan Benjamin, PlanetReuse’s Principal + Founder.

Sourcing materials locally reduces your projects carbon footprint, an admirable goal whether or not you plan to pursue certification. Committing to this practice keeps the purpose of Earth Day—to promote a more sustainable world—active year round.

What’s the Difference? Clarifying the Terminology Used for Wood - SP'10 - Newsletter

While it’s the most common reclaimed material, the terminology used to define wood for sustainable projects is among the most confusing. While many wood terms have been used interchangeably, the differences can make a significant difference a project’s ability to obtain valuable LEED credits.

To qualify for MR Credit 3 Materials Reuse, your material must have been previously used. Wood from buildings count, of course, but it can also be reclaimed or salvaged from bridges, telephone poles, street pavers, ocean boardwalks or another definable function. Wherever it came from, it must have been used prior to your project’s installation to qualify.

River reclaimed materials—like sinker cypress—may be harvested from sunken trees that are several hundred years old. Though this wood often offers incredible beauty and reduces environmental impact, unfortunately these materials don’t qualify for Materials Reuse credits.

The same goes for urban reclaimed materials, which typically refers to urban growth trees removed for development. While these materials may qualify for the Regional Materials credits, they don’t meet the criteria for Materials Reuse or Certified Wood.

While reclaimed materials can legitimately carry a claim of FSC Recycled or FSC Reclaimed, these materials cannot qualify for the Certified Wood credit 7, since only new, permanently installed wood applies. However, if you empower the use of reclaimed materials on your project, they can actually help with the Certified Wood credit, as reclaimed materials are not counted towards the overall wood cost calculation.

Some also claim that reclaimed materials can count for MR Credit 4 Recycled Content, but today this is not applicable under previous or current GBCI and LEED Standards.

As a rule of thumb, if materials are applied towards the Materials Reuse credit, they cannot qualify for MR credits 1 Building Reuse, 2 Construction Waste Management, 4 Recycled Content, 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials or 7 Certified Wood (anything other than Materials Reuse and Regional Materials). And even when some materials found on an existing site are used on a new project, those materials may not always qualify for the Material Reuse credit depending upon the material, the prior use and the new use.

It seems complicated, and it can be. That’s why PlanetReuse is there, to share their in-depth knowledge and experience with these requirements in order to maximize the credits your project can receive at the lowest possible cost.

Historic Green - SP'10 - Newsletter

PlanetReuse feels so strongly about the meaningful work Historic Green is doing that our founder made the trip to New Orleans for the organization’s most recent volunteer event. Historic Green is a volunteer-led collaboration that works tirelessly to revitalize New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. From the tragedy of Katrina, the organizers of Historic Green saw an opportunity to rebuild in a way that respects New Orleans’ rich traditions while introducing significant sustainable initiatives.

The goal of Historic Green is to transform New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and Holy Cross as the nation's first zero carbon community. It meets this objective through a true grassroots structure, in which volunteers from across the country join together each spring to tackle neighborhood-based projects. Historic Green’s most recent project, the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and Center for Sustainable Economic Development headquarters, aims for LEED Platinum certification. These efforts improve livability while increasing public awareness about green design and heritage conservation.

Many of Historic Green’s volunteers are industry professionals, like-minded individuals who share ideas and forge connections that resonate far beyond a single project.   

Historic Green calls what they are doing “sustainable preservation.” We call it inspiration. To donate to or volunteer for the cause, visit www.historicgreen.com.

Design Currency: Icograda Design Week in Vancouver, April 26-30.

This week, Icograda (International Council of Graphic Design Associations) pairs up with the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) in Vancouver to host the 2010 Design Currency Design Week. This will be the perfect chance for architects and designers to hear international experts speak in presentations, conversations and workshops with topics ranging from "Defining the Value of Design," to "Design and Indigenous Culture." Keynotes and some of the exceptional speakers include the Canadian Green Building Council founder Peter Busby, Innovation & Design editor of Businessweek Helen Walters, co-founder of Architecture for Humanity Cameron Sinclair, Philips Design Global Senior Creative Director of lighting Oscar Pena, and typographic illustrator (of Saks Fifth Avenue, Wallpaper* magazine, WIRED, and The NY Times, to name a few) Marian Bantjes.

The events will also be held in the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre that can be found downtown right on the waterfront. The center is home to a habitat for marine-life built directly into the foundation and a six-acre 'living roof' which also catches rainwater to irrigate it's indigenous plants. For their green initiatives, the convention center has been awarded the "GO GREEN" certificate and the West building has received LEED® Platinum certification while the East building is pursuing LEED®-EB certification. All-in-all, the Design Currency: Icograda Design Week promises to be a great convention held at an ideal location. Check out the complete list of activities here if you are interested in attending this Pacific Northwest week of design events!

USGBC Chicago Chapter Event: "Salvaged Material in the Sustainable Design Process"

Just in time for Earth Day, the Chicago USGBC Chapter will be holding the event titled, "Salvaged Material in the Sustainable Design Process" on April 20th. The event promises a tour of the ReBuilding Exchange accompanied by a discussion in which members of the selected panel will explain more thoroughly how reused materials are incorporated in projects. Participants should hope to gain a better understanding of the impact of new vs. reused material specification, how LEED plays a role in Material Reuse projects, when salvaged materials become an option in the design & construction processes, and insight from past challenges and opportunities reuse has afforded the panelists.

If you are an architect, contractor, residential builder or designer, specifier, or student of any of the previous fields, pre-register online to attend. Jason LaFleur of Eco Achievers who will be moderating the session and panel members will include William Emmick of Studio Gang Architects, Meghann Maves of OWP/P - Cannon Design, and Nathan Benjamin of PlanetReuse. If you're around Chicago, attend this event to help kick-off a great Earth Day 2010!

April 22nd-23rd: Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum.

As the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, keep this outstanding event in mind when mapping out your plans. On April 22nd and 23rd, the Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum will be held at the Chicago headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and hosted by USEPA Region 5 Land and Chemicals Division, Region 5 Brownfields Program, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, and Office of Brownfields & Land Revitalization.

"The Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum will provide an excellent opportunity to establish a regional dialogue among local-level decision makers and look at new initiatives and challenges related to:

· evaluating successful strategies to incorporate deconstruction into communities’ efforts to manage abandoned buildings,

· evaluating economic viability of deconstruction on municipal projects,

· encouraging deconstruction, reuse, and recycling in the community, and

· creating local jobs through deconstruction."

If you have some experience with deconstruction, this event would be extremely valuable to consider attending. There are only fifty spots available to encourage an educated discussion and information-sharing event for individuals and communities that already have some experience in deconstruction. If you would like to attend, April 1st is the deadline for registration.

If you are in the Chicago area already and are looking for a more introductory level event, perhaps look into attending the 3rd annual 'Green Your Footprint' held at the Flair Tower which is the newest LEED certified residential building in Chicago.

As it gets closer to Earth Day 2010, check back here for information on more exceptional events taking place around the nation and globe!

Support New Orleans Historic Green!

From March 9th through the 19th, New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and Holy Cross hopes to restore, create, preserve, sustain, and green their neighborhood by rebuilding as the nation's first zero carbon community! Historic Green is a non-profit formed in part by USGBC Central Plains EGB Leaders whose project may be the first project in the nation "designed to integrate sustainable restoration practices with preservation of an entire historic community."

HG is in it's third year as a ten-day volunteer project led by a network of hundreds of young professional and student volunteers in the green building industry. Among those making the journey for this volunteer opportunity will be Nathan Benjamin, Founder+Principal of PlanetReuse. In the past two years, homes have been weatherized, rain gardens built, damaged homes deconstructed, playgrounds restored, and educational programs have been put into place. While these projects continue, the newest HG volunteer project, aimed at LEED Platinum certification, will be the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and Center for Sustainable Economic Development’s headquarters.

If you would like to donate you time, materials, or financial assistance to Historic Green and their outstanding cause, please check out the HG website!

KU Studio 804 featured in Metropolis Magazine.

The design-build program at University of Kansas, Studio 804, gets a little media love in the February edition of Metropolis Magazine. Studio 804 allows architecture students to see more than just the design and build of a structure, but to also understand everything else they will encounter along the way. KU professor Dan Rockhill presents the 22 students with the opportunity to create more than just a cool house. Each project serves as, "a shining example of state-of-the-art sustainable design-and an illustration of the aesthetic and financial challenges sustainable design presents." As most projects for Studio 804 are of Midwest origin, it is only natural for weather and climate issues to come into play. The devastating tornado that struck Greensburg motivated its' townspeople to rebuild as a Green community which offered the perfect opportunity for a Green design-build project. The strict LEED Platinum standards that the city council mandated for any municipally owned building over 4,000 square feet presented a challenge but nothing that Rockhill's studio couldn't handle. In one years' time Kansas had it's first LEED Platinum building in the form of a, "sleek modular arts center," that Governor Kathleen Sebelius praised and Studio 804 could proudly call their own. Read the article in it's entirety here and check out more work from Studio 804!

Rock chalk!

USGBC Central Plains Event: "Materials Recycling Practices - Commercial & Residential."

The Central Plains Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) will be hosting an event titled, "Materials Recycling Practices - Commercial and Residential," on March 5th at Studio Dan Meiners. Speaking at this event will be Nathan Benjamin, Principal + Founder of PlanetReuse, Brian Alferman, Associate Director of Habitat Restore, Brent Kroh, Vice President of Elmwood Reclaimed Timber and Christian Arnold, Principal at Clockwork. The following topics will be addressed by the speakers at the event:

-Common materials used in sustainable projects.

-Unique or new-to-market materials and applications.

-Tools and methods to ensure proper documentation for LEED certification application and approval.

-Project examples and local Case Studies.

As a great example of the topic being discussed, the soon to be opened headquarters of Studio Dan Meiners was designed by Clockwork, was constructed by ARC Construction and incorporated many reused and recycled materials provided by PlanetReuse. There will be tours provided immediately following the panel discussion. If you are interested in attending this great event, click here for more information. See you there!