Alabama Goes Green

The green movement is sweeping the nation: green stocks are getting a lot of attention, the government is awarding grants to train people in green-collar jobs, and now a new non-profit has set up shop in Homewood called the Green Resource Center of Alabama.

It’s an agency that lives what it preaches.

It looks like any other building in downtown Homewood - but 2564 18th Street South is environmentally friendly from the inside out.

Starting with the back deck salvaged from an old cotton mill:
 
“This wood is over 100 years old and solid as a rock. Instead of it going into a landfill, we can use it on our deck,“ says Mark Rubino, Executive Director for the Green Resource Center.

Rubino also collected old railroad spikes for door handles and has carpet made from recycled water bottles.

Then there’s the building’s insulation: it’s made from leftover denim scraps from blue jean manufacturing plants.

Rubino says the insulation is soaked in boric acid, which makes it inflammable, plus resistant to bugs and mildew.

Then there’s the green roof .... literally.

“You’re on about 2 feet of soil here. So when it comes to insulation, it’s almost like that upper ceiling is below ground,“ says Rubino.

Underneath the plants, garden soil and the permeable pavers -a collection system traps rainwater and funnels it below.

“The water comes off the roof, down the down spout, collects in the cistern - 1500 gallons,“ explains Rubino.

Solar powered pumps send the water back up to irrigate the roof’s plants when it doesn’t rain. Techniques that help the environment and the wallet.
“We’re very focused on enviro-economics. What’s that payback?“ says Rubino.

The Green Resource Center’s mission is to help governments, businesses and homeowners become more environmentally friendly - whether its through renovation or new construction. The center can offer do-it-yourself techniques as well as contacts.
People like Chris Lewis who sell green framing panels.

“It is actually made of steele and poly-styrene. For energy efficiency, it will reduce your utility bills by 40%,“ says Chris Lewis of L & S Enterprises.
Declan Yearwood is a home builder who specializes in green techniques.
“We’ve built homes that are 5000 square feet and their utility bills don’t reach over $100,“ explains Yearwood of Sustain Building Group.

Environmentally friendly, sustainable products that cost a little more up front - but green experts say quickly pay for themselves in the long run. 

The Green Resource Center will do an energy audit of your home or office - then offer suggestions.

http://www.greenalabama.org/