Partners
Mike Shaw Subaru
At Subaru, protecting the environment is just as important as protecting their passengers. That's why they build fuel-efficient vehicles in ecologically-minded plants. Together, with earth-friendly partners such as 99.5 The Mountain, they are dedicated to preserving our planet. It's an integral part of their philosophy. It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. Consider this: When you carry out your trash at home on the next collection day, you'll be sending more trash to landfills than the entire Subaru manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Indiana (SIA). The Subaru plant was the first auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill status - nothing from its manufacturing efforts goes into a landfill. It's all reused and recycled.
Staples
Staples seeks environmental excellence, by developing and sourcing environmentally preferable products, providing easy recycling services for their customers and associates, supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and educating stakeholders about environmental issues.
Staples makes it easy for customers to recycle e–waste by simply bringing their used computers, monitors, laptops, and desktop printers, faxes and all–in–ones to any Colorado Staples store. All brands are accepted, regardless of whether or not the equipment was purchased at Staples. A recycling fee of $10 per piece of large equipment is charged to cover handling, transport, product disassembly and recycling. Smaller computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and speakers are accepted at no charge.
Green Diamond Tires
Green Diamond Tires are made for the world's harshest driving conditions of Iceland. It's the safest tire for your car during the harsh Colorado winter. Not only are they safer for you, they are environmentally responsible. Using only premium quality casings, each 'donor' casing is exhaustingly examined using sophisticated test and inspection instruments and equipment. Each Green Diamond Tire represents gallons of petroleum saved... and one less tire clogging a landfill. Click here for more information.Green Diamond Tire evaluates nearly 800,000 tire carcasses a year to become Green Diamond Tires...rejecting over 80% of them. This year we will build about 100,000 Green Diamond Tires and the balance of the carcasses that did not pass quality assessment are sent to be recycled into roadway/roadbed material or any number of recycled products. Nothing goes to waste... even the rubber granules taken from those carcasses that do get rebuilt as Green Diamond Tires goes into padding materials used in sports arenas or children's play structure bedding.
Built Green Colorado
There are lots of reasons to buy a Built Green® Home. The environment is only one of them.
Built Green Colorado is a program of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver that encourages homebuilders, suppliers and manufacturers to use technologies, products and practices to build homes that are better built and better for the environment.
To achieve the Built Green distinction, homes must be designed and constructed based on a rigorous checklist of more than 200 features in 22 categories covering energy efficiency, materials, health and safety, and resource conservation. To learn more or to locate a Built Green builder visit builtgreen.org.
If you're looking for a quality new home, it pays to ask a few questions.
The questions below can illuminate differences between the quality of a Built Green home and a typical new home. Print out and take this list with you when shopping for a new home. The more often a builder can answer "yes" to these questions the better.
Is the efficiency rating of the furnace at least 90%?
These units save money, increase comfort and often require less maintenance.
Are the home's air ducts sealed with mastic?
A tightly sealed duct system improves air delivery providing comfort, energy savings, safety and greatly improved system efficiency.
Has the home been tested for energy performance?
A Home Energy Rating System (HERS) test is like your car's m.p.g. rating.
Are Low-E windows used throughout the home?
Windows with a low-emissivity coating improve comfort and energy efficiency year round, reduce condensation and protect furnishings.
Are all appliances Energy Star® qualified?
These units save energy, are typically more water efficient and often outperform their competitors.
Does the house feature: A sealed-combustion furnace? A power-vented water heater? A sealed fireplace using outside combustion air?
Exhaust fumes from natural gas and propane appliances can enter the living space and have serious health implications.
Are low-VOC/low-formaldehyde paints, adhesives and wood finishes used throughout the home?
These products are readily available and contribute significantly to improved indoor air quality while decreasing toxic chemical use.
Is the house protected by durable exterior finishes and roofing systems?
Stucco, brick, stone and cement-based finishes are long lasting and low maintenance, while roofs can carry 30-year-or-better warranties.
Are Water-Wise landscaping methods used?
Approaches such as drought-tolerant plant selection, zoned irrigation with drip heads in bedding areas, and rain-sensor override on irrigation use water efficiently, offer protection from increasing water rates and encourage responsible water use in our semi-arid climate.
Are high-quality recycled content or composite materials used indoors and out?
Paints, finishes, decking, carpet and insulation can meet this criterion and can be more durable while using resources more responsibly.
Built Green is funded by dues and fees of more than 200 Colorado builder members, 50 Sponsor members and the substantial financial support of the Industry Leaders: James Hardie Building Products, Rheem Company, Boise Building Solutions, Trex Decking, Whirlpool Corporation, Johns Manville, and Grace Construction Products.
Built Green¨ is a program of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver supported by the Governor's Energy Office.
