University of Wisconsin - Extension

Whether it's recaulking a bathtub, replacing flooring, remodeling a room, putting on an addition or building a new house or commercial building, you can do it with less impact on the environment, your health and your pocketbook. How? By following "green building" or sustainable building practices.

Sustainable or green building reduces the impact of building on the environment and leaves a high quality of life for future generations, according to a University of Wisconsin-Extension source reduction and recycling specialist.

"It is an approach you can use to design, build or remodel a home, office or public building that is healthier to live and work in, that uses energy and resources more efficiently and that uses materials that are gentler on the environment," says Sherrie Gruder, who works within UW-Extension's Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center.

To help people "build green," the Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center created the guide, "Building Green: A Consumers' Guide to Sustainable Building" and a companion list of Wisconsin vendors that carry green building materials and supplies.

"Buildings have huge impacts on resources, pollution and the economy," says Gruder. "Every year buildings use 25 percent of global wood harvest, 40 percent of the materials entering the global economy and consume 3 billion tons of raw materials. Construction and demolition materials make up 25 percent of the materials in Wisconsin landfills.

"One new 1,500 square foot home will generate approximately 3 tons of waste," she adds. "And waste is inefficiency. Also, the quality and availability of lumber is decreasing as we've depleted our forests."

A "green building" can have less than half the impacts of a traditional one and save owners money in operation and maintenance, Gruder explains.

Architects, builders and building supply outlets are aware of "green building." It is becoming mainstream across the country as thousands of commercial and residential buildings already have been constructed sustainably.

"The renovation of the Arbor House historic inn and construction of the annex incorporated all the green building elements," Gruder explains. "These include passive solar energy, use of non?toxic products and recycled building & interior materials, sustainably harvested wood, energy efficient appliances, lighting and technology, solar hot water heat, water efficient appliances and fixtures, landscaping emphasizing the use of native plants while avoiding use of pesticides, reuse and recycling during construction, and it is located on a bus route and in a neighborhood within walking distance to stores."

Architects, builders and building supply outlets are aware of "green building." Building green is becoming mainstream across the country. Hundreds of commercial and residential buildings already have been constructed sustainability. People can ask their builder about the national green building rating system for commercial buildings and the Wisconsin green built home program.

Green building projects Gruder is currently involved in include the Overture Project - Madison Cultural Arts District; the Dane County Justice Center; the Winnebago County Jail; the Northeast Regional Headquarters of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Alliant Energy Worldwide Headquarters; the Coach Yard Square low-income and handicapped condominium project; and the Wisconsin Green Built Home program for residential buildings, in conjunction with area builders associations.

The Building Green guide also contains a resource section listing contacts and sources of information about green building in Wisconsin, in print and on the Internet.

Building Green information is just one of the many educational programs offered by Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center. They also offer technical assistance and education about community recycling and solid waste management programs. Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center staff work with local governments, small businesses, industry sectors, recyclers and consumers to implement Wisconsin's ongoing innovative recycling and waste reduction efforts.

The 2001-2003 state budget eliminates funding for educational recycling programs offered through UW-Extension's Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Program.

A cut to the Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center budget would eliminate many on-going important educational programs that provide substantial economic benefits to Wisconsin businesses and communities while keeping valuable resources out of Wisconsin landfills.

Funds need to be restored to the budget to continue SHWEC programs.