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When it comes to sustainable design, there are still plenty of clients who don’t think it’s worth their time. Here are some suggestions for dispelling five commonly held green myths

By Gail Griswold-Elwyn

Although a variety of polls illustrate that environmental consciousness is at an all-time high among the public, there is still resistance to change. Driving this resistance is bad information—outdated and now-irrelevant that have become cultural truisms. Below are the five most pervasive myths about creating an eco-friendly business—and some suggestions in how to refute them in your discussions with commercial clients.

Myth #1: Green building, rehabbing, or redesigning is too expensive for our organization.

Not anymore. Five years ago, eco-friendly products and services were priced slightly higher than traditional products and services. However, as demand for these products grew in the commercial space, the pricing has lowered and is now competitive.

We have seen this happen with VOC-free paints, organic cleaning products, and natural, non-toxic options for cabinetry and storage units. In addition, government tax incentives for commercial green building or remodeling have significantly leveled the playing field for companies looking to take that step.

You must urge your clients to consider the life-cycle costs of a green investment. If the investment is greater up-front, what are they getting in return? Improved indoor air quality (which can augment good health and contribute to increased productivity)? Utility bill savings? Tax credits and deductions for your business? Increased revenue? A recent study conducted by IPSOS, a global market research company, reported that 79 percent of consumers would rather buy from companies doing their best to reduce their impact on the environment. Be your client’s advocate and educate them to be their own.

Myth #2: Going green as a company is so overwhelming; you have to commit so much time and energy to it.

Many executives think that going green is an all-or-nothing proposition—that not only do you have to recycle, but you also have to remodel, compost your waste and install timed lighting in every cubicle to make a difference. The intensity of the green movement has, in some way, contributed to this anxiety about green. So have the high-profile examples of energy renovations being publicized (the Empire State Building, to name one).

The truth is, going green is a process and can only be done little by little. Emphasize a staged approach with your clients. Suggest small changes as part of clients’ new green initiatives, like shutting down their computers when they leave for the night. In addition, advocate Energy Star-labeled, higher-efficiency office staples when designing for a green-minded client. Show them how LED task lighting can provide the same power with less energy. Include non-toxic finishes and paints in your designs and samples. Little by little, green choices will become automatic for your clients—and you can facilitate their realization that corporate green commitments can be easy to implement.

SEE: Check out some of the sustainable surfaces and materials that will be on display at the I&S Materials Pavilion at NeoCon.

Myth #3: Corporate green initiatives are hard to maintain.

People seem to think that green technologies and products are inherently more difficult (read: frustrating) to operate/use. They hesitate on committing to high-efficiency or geothermal systems because of unfamiliarity. And while it is true that a learning curve does exist, green technology installers have also been trained to educate users about the day-to-day operation and simple maintenance of the technology. Emphasize this to your clients when your designs include some type of green foundational elements.

You can also remind clients that green products for the corporate space are often very passive from the user’s perspective. For example, “smart” power strips offer an easier way to eliminate devices’ power draws when not in use. In addition, many cloud computing and virtualization models incorporate shared infrastructure and benefits of scale, reducing hardware needs. This means energy savings, but also decreases in the carbon emissions used to power and cool these complex devices.

Low-flow faucets and plumbing fixtures that sense and report on water usage are also fairly easy to specify and install. There are many smartphone apps that allow you to control specific devices and switches remotely to control electricity usage. Passive green suggestions to your commercial clients can help them warm to your more broad-based green design recommendations. Plus, you can emphasize the fact that a healthier work environment leads to increased productivity—which will positively impact your client’s bottom line.

Myth #4: It doesn’t matter one way or the other if I adopt green practices in my business.

Your clients have bought into the fact that our environmental problem is so complex and dire that their efforts will not make an ounce of difference—and they are unfortunately not alone. According to a survey conducted by The Nature Conservancy, 29 percent of Americans believe that adopting greener lifestyles won’t make a difference on the environment.

This is incorrect; every effort makes a difference, especially since more than 40 percent of all the energy created in this country goes to the creation and running of man-made structures. It is imperative that you be informed not only about the cost-effective and established green design and building options (from passive options like VOC-free paint and low-flow plumbing fixtures, to more dramatic improvements like foundations constructed from insulated concrete forms), but also about corporate policy changes that clients can make on a smaller scale to help the environment.

Myth #5: Eco-friendly design doesn’t fit with our organization’s brand.

Green construction and remodeling is for everyone’s brand. In fact, it has been around since settlers chose to orient their homes toward the sun to maximize light and heat exposure. Green building is about the efficient use of time, money, materials and resources. It is a way to make spaces more functional. Experienced commercial architects and designers will respect the character of the business and its neighborhood and, in most cases, clients will not be able to tell a green office space from a traditional one.

What’s more, though, is that a green redesign often bolsters an organization’s brand. This is not a hard sell; people want to do business with companies that are striving to do the right thing. Green certifications and well-marketed efforts often provide a significant competitive advantage (especially if your client competes for government-sector work). In addition, the green design of a space can improve office conditions; your clients’ consumers will want to spend more time in places in which they can breathe easy and feel energized.

READ: How to reduce off-gassing for better indoor air quality.

According to The Nature Conservancy’s same survey, only 42 percent of American adults are familiar with the term “environmental sustainability” and even fewer than that believe it is possible to live that way. Although reports suggest that more than 90 percent of Americans are recycling, there are still some deep-rooted prejudices and misconceptions about what it really means to go green or adopt green practices—especially on a corporate-wide scale.

Know that your clients are intimidated by the propaganda, by the feeling that one change will not be enough to matter. They are scared, under-informed and, as a result, readily believe what is reported. In addition to bringing your professional expertise to clients, this new era of “green fear” calls for you to also become an educator of your clients.

Commercial clients are hungry for facts, and it is time to make going green in the commercial arena an accessible alternative by providing accurate information and highlighting the cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation.

Gail Griswold-Elwyn is president of Rethink Renovations, a firm founded in 2007 to offer green construction, design/build, and full lines of cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact. For more, please visit the company’s website or call (314) 323-8845.

Article Source: http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/15731/title/dispelling%205%20pervasive%20green%20myths/page/2.aspx

View Article: http://www.yogaandspamagazine.com/Files/Spring2013_web.pdf

GAIL GRISWOLD-ELWYN

“Americans are collectively more aware and educated than just a few years ago about the range of environmental chemicals we inhale and ingest, yet most still live with dangerous substances in their homes,” according to Jen Loui. She is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-accredited professional in St. Louis and an industry expert who writes green curricula for high schools across the country.

Guarding against pollution of indoor air is a good place to start; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked poor air quality among the leading environmental dangers, reporting links to many common health problems. Here’s how to rid the family home of the top five common household toxins.

Formaldehyde. Traces of this toxin, the same chemical used to embalm the deceased, pervade almost every room. “My clients are often shocked to learn that they likely ingest this toxic, cancer-causing chemical every day of their lives,” says P. Richelle White, a sustainable lifestyle coach and co-owner of Herb’n Maid, a green cleaning and concierge service in St. Louis. “Because formaldehyde is often an ingredient in everyday things like cosmetics, faux wood furniture and conventional cleaning products, they get a daily dose of it.”

Even at low levels, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation; at its most malignant levels, it can cause severe allergic asthma, infertility and lymphoma, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Healthier choices: Switch to all-natural beauty products and cosmetics. At minimum, check that compressed wood fibers don’t use a formaldehydebased chemical as a binding agent; better yet, choose natural, reclaimed wood for interior surfaces and furnishings.

Polyvinyl chloride. PVC is omnipresent and dangerous. Water bottles, nylon backpacks, pipes, insulation and vinyl tiles generally contain PVC, as well as almost anything waterproofed, such as baby changing mats and mattress covers. PVC usually contains plasticizers called phthalates, which are released over time; it also can chemically combine with other organic materials to produce toxic dioxin byproducts. According to Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PVC byproducts and vapors are endocrine disruptors that can mimic or block hormones in the body. In addition, the EPA has linked PVC to serious respiratory problems, immune suppression and cancer.

Healthier choices: Look for PVC-free plastics. When shopping for waterproofed items, choose those with coatings made from polyurethane or polyester.

Phthalates. A 2007 report by the NRDC notes that 12 out of 14 common brands of household air fresheners and room sprays contain phthalates, which people regularly inhale primarily because these chemicals prolong the time that products maintain their fragrance. In studies conducted by the World Health Organization, researchers concluded that consistent exposure to phthalates could increase the risks for endocrine, reproductive and developmental problems. The majority of synthetic air fresheners were found to also emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde

Healthier choices: Put boxes of baking soda in cabinets to absorb odors and scent interiors with all-natural oils and potpourri.

“Allergies, asthma, lung cancer and heart problems have all been linked to poor indoor air quality.”

~ U.S. EPA

Chlorine. According to the American Lung Association, most conventional cleaning products include some chlorine, with large concentrations in bleach. Inhalation of chlorine can irritate the respiratory system; prolonged exposure can lead to lung disease and asthma.

Healthier choices: Purchase chlorine-free cleaning products, especially chlorine-free bleach. Or make inexpensive solutions of white, distilled vinegar mixed with a little lemon for scent for a multipurpose, multi-surface cleaner; try baking soda as a scrubbing powder.

Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are emitted as harmful gases by a wide array of products including paints, lacquers and paint strippers; cleaning supplies; pesticides; carpets and furnishings; office copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper; plus graphics and craft materials that include glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions. The EPA calculates that, “Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher [up to 10 times] indoors than outdoors.

Healthier choices: Look for VOC-free products and consider using organic clay paint, which has the added benefit of acting as an absorbent of toxic gases.

Most people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, where the air quality can be two to five times (and even up to 100 times) more polluted than the air we breathe outside, according to the EPA. “A simple solution is to open windows for a portion of each day or night to let in fresh air,” advises Loui. Making these choices enables us to protect ourselves better at home.

Gail Griswold-Elwyn is founding president of Rethink Renovations, of St. Louis, MO, which offers green design/build and construction services, including cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact. Connect at 314-323-8845 or RethinkRenovations.com.

This article appears in the April 2013 issue of Natural Awakenings

by Gail Griswold-Elwyn,

President, Rethink Renovations

Although a variety of polls illustrate that environmental consciousness is at an all-time high around the country, there is still a resistance to change. Driving this resistance is bad information; outdated, now-irrelevant facts have become cultural truisms. Below are the 5 most pervasive myths about an eco-friendly lifestyle—and the real information to refute them.

Myth #1: “Going green, building green, living green is so expensive.”

Not anymore. Five years ago eco-friendly products and services were priced higher than traditional products and services. However, as demand for these products grew, the pricing lowered and is now competitive. In addition, government tax incentives for green building or remodeling have significantly leveled the playing field. In addition, one must consider the life cycle costs of a green investment. If it does cost more upfront, what are you getting in return? Improved indoor air quality (which can augment good health and contribute to increased productivity)? Utility bill savings? Tax credits?

Myth #2: “The green lifestyle is so overwhelming; you have to commit so much time and energy to it.”

Many people think that going green is an all or nothing proposition. That not only do you have to recycle, but that you also have to remodel, compost your waste, take your own shopping bags to the store, etc. to truly make a difference. The intensity of the green movement has, in some way, contributed to this anxiety about green. The truth is, going green is a process and can only be done little by little. Start by taking your own shopping bags to the grocery store. The next time you need a new furnace or water heater, consider replacing it with a higher efficiency model. Instead of thinking about redoing your entire house, commit to using non-toxic finishes and paints. Little by little, green choices will become automatic—and easy to make and implement.

Myth #3: “A green lifestyle is hard to maintain.”

People think that green technologies and products are inherently more difficult (read: frustrating) to operate/use. They hesitate on installing high-efficiency or geothermal systems because of unfamiliarity. While it is true that a learning curve does exist, green technology installers have also been trained to educate users about the day-to-day operation and simple maintenance of the technology. On the other end of the spectrum, green products are often so simplistic they can be made at home. White vinegar and lemon juice is the perfect all-purpose green cleaning agent, and baking soda is a perfect all-natural odor absorber—no training needed. In addition, all energy saving light bulbs don’t have the slow to brighten feature and work just as well as traditional bulbs and low-flow or dual flush toilets are just as, if not more, effective than regular flush toilets. Do your homework before making decisions.

Myth #4: “It doesn’t matter one way or the other if I adopt green practices.”

If you’ve bought into the fact that our environmental problem is so complex and dire that your efforts will not make an ounce of difference, you are not alone. According to a survey conducted by The Nature Conservancy, 29% of Americans believe that adopting greener lifestyles won’t make a difference on the environment. This is incorrect; every effort makes a difference, especially since more than 40% of all the energy created in this country goes to the creation and running of manmade structures. Still don’t believe me? If everyone in the country elected to buy one package of 100% recycled napkins (instead of one package of non-recycled napkins) that act alone would save 1 million trees.

Myth #5: “Green structures look weird, plus eco-friendly housing is just a fad.”

Green construction and remodeling is not a fad. In fact, it has been around since settlers chose to orient their homes toward the sun to maximize light and heat exposure and the first city planners built residential structures near main street so occupants could walk to essential places. Green building is about the more efficient use of time, money, materials, and resources. It is a way to make spaces more functional and appealing. Good green remodelers know to respect the character of the home or the neighborhood and, in almost all cases, you would not be able to tell a green home from a traditional home.

According to a survey conducted by The Nature Conservancy, only 42% of American adults are familiar with the term “environmental sustainability” and even fewer than that believe it is possible to live that way. Although reports suggest that more than 90% of Americans are recycling, there are still some deep-rooted prejudices and misconceptions about what it really means to go green or adopt green practices into your daily lifestyle. We are intimidated by the propaganda, by the feeling that one change will not be enough to matter. We are scared, under-informed, and, as a result, readily believe what is reported. It is time to make going green an accessible alternative by providing accurate information and highlighting ease of implementation.

Article Source: http://thehealthyplanet.com/2013/03/five-dangerous-and-pervasive-green-myths/

About Rethink Renovations:

Gail Griswold-Elwyn founded Rethink Renovations in 2007 to offer green construction, design/build, and full lines of cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact. For more, please visit rethinkrenovations.com or call 314-323-8845.

BY Andrea | Posted: Monday, March 25, 2013 05:00 PM

Rethink Renovations hosts anniversary event for St. Louis green community in one of their award-winning green homes

St Louis, MO— St. Louis’ premier green design, construction, and remodeling firm, Rethink Renovations, celebrates five years in business with a ‘Building Better Bash’ on Thursday, April 18, 6-9 pm, in one of their remodeled homes that took first place in the 2012 At Home Magazine Design Awards in the ‘Green Construction of a Home’ category. Invitees are members of the St. Louis green community and those building an expanded green consciousness in our region.

Attendees will enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and learning more about the award-winning host space. They will have the opportunity to tour the space and the home’s featured green construction components. In addition, those attending will have the opportunity to network with leaders in the eco-friendly community and find out more about the future of green construction in St. Louis.

“We are excited to celebrate our fifth year in business with our friends, partners, and vendors,” said Gail Griswold-Elwyn, Rethink Renovation’s President. “It’s a party with a purpose; it is our hope that everyone will make a useful connection, learn something new, and have a great time.”

Tours of the home will be given and attendees will have the opportunity to witness the solar-ready roof design, skylights, sun tunnels, geothermal and zoned smart systems, sustainably-harvested walnut floors, locally-made and non-toxic cabinetry, green-certified quartz countertops, and non-toxic paint and finishes. In addition, a room will be dedicated to chronicling the past, present and future of green construction and before and after photos of the host space will be available for view.

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About Rethink Renovations

In 2007, Rethink Renovations was born out of an idea: the marriage of the old and the new. Old meaning constructing a space for aesthetics, durability, and longevity, new meaning the use of modern technology to minimize waste and pollutants. As a St. Louis-based, family-owned and operated design/build firm, Rethink Renovations blends progressive ideology with traditional roots to offer green construction, design/build, and full lines of cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact. The company works with homeowners, design firms, and architects to create eco-friendly remodeling solutions that include sustainably-harvested wood, and locally-produced, non-toxic materials. Rethink Renovations is committed to enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of spaces, but, more importantly, to preserving the health and well-being of the clients who will create memories in the spaces. For more, please visit rethinkrenovations.com or call 314-323-8845.

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ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — St. Louis’ premier green design, construction, and remodeling firm, Rethink Renovations, has partnered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) Jennifer Loui, a lifetime educator and curriculum developer, to create a semester long curriculum designed to teach green construction techniques to the next generation of professional building tradesmen. The content will focus on eco-friendly innovations affecting the core components of building construction—such as climate, framing, and HVAC.

Throughout her involvement with trade schools, Loui noticed that vocational and tech instructors were often tradesmen themselves and too busy to design a green curriculum. Gail Griswold-Elwyn, President of Rethink Renovations, took note of the fact that well-trained green tradesmen were becoming harder and harder to find. When Loui approached Griswold-Elwyn with the idea of sponsoring and collaborating on the creation of an eco-friendly construction curriculum, it seemed like a win-win. While creating a curriculum that would bridge the gap between standard construction curriculum and newer strategies for overwhelmed vocational instructors, they could also help to produce the next generation of green construction professionals. Since that initial conversation, a full working draft has been written. The entire course is slated to be completed by the end of February 2013.

That is exactly what the curriculum intends to do. Each section of the curriculum is written using the latest teaching pedagogy –approaches and theories—grounding the new knowledge in student-involved  hands-on activity. The units will be supported by green building guide, Green from the Ground Up, written by David Johnson and Scott Gibson; the course has the option of culminating in the construction of a mini-green home, built using everything the students have learned throughout the duration of the course.

“Gail and I both agree that spreading green consciousness begins with education,” said Loui.

“Green construction becomes a more viable option for people when it is accessible—well-trained professionals are key to this accessibility.”

The 40-page course costs $800 to purchase and any high school, trade school, or vocational school across the country can purchase it. By the end of 2013, Loui and Griswold-Elwyn estimate that this curriculum will be taught in more than 20 U.S. schools. To request a two-page overview, or for more information about how to purchase the curriculum, please contact Gail Griswold-Elwyn by calling 314-323-8845 or email gail@rethinkrenovations.com.

About Rethink Renovations

In 2007, Rethink Renovations was born out of an idea: the marriage of the old and the new. Old meaning constructing a space for aesthetics, durability, and longevity, new meaning the use of modern technology to minimize waste and pollutants. As a St. Louis-based, family-owned and operated design/build firm, Rethink Renovations blends progressive ideology with traditional roots to offer green construction, design/build, and full lines of cabinetry and furniture that minimize environmental impact. The company works with homeowners, design firms, and architects to create eco-friendly remodeling solutions that include sustainably-harvested wood, and locally-produced, non-toxic materials. Rethink Renovations is committed to enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of spaces, but, more importantly, to preserving the health and well-being of the clients who will create memories in the spaces. For more, please visit rethinkrenovations.com or call 314-323-8845.

MEDIA CONTACT
Andrea Arco-Mastromichalis
Arco & Associates
636.527.9254
aarco@arcoandassociates.com

St. Louis-based Rethink Renovations partnered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional Jennifer Loui to create a semester-long curriculum designed to teach green construction techniques to building tradesmen.

Article Source: http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/business-bulletin-board/article_5b5dc634-66f4-517c-902b-ea64df8cbbe1.html