Reading 8

Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Chapter 6 Pages 157 - 186

Throughout this chapter the reference to the Ford company and its venture towards creating a healthier system for workers and the environment were referred to.  It's also through this idea of creating a better means to make cars that the idea of the automobile will change too.  Hopefully for the better.  

The idea of items being "free of" something doesn't always mean anything good.  This could mean that something worse was put into the item.  It's important for consumers to know what is within an item.  Consumers need to ask to gain knowledge.

There are lists out there that categorize items for consumers to know better about the products they are buying.  A list known as "Gray List" which means the items on the list "contain problematic substances that are not quite so urgently in need of phase out." (p 174)  Also the "P List" is considered to be a "positive list" that "includes substances actively defined as healthy and safe for use." (p 175)  Consumers need to consider what they are buying, and what the items contain.

Research

Looking into carpet recycling centers in KY and bamboo growing places in KY.

American Bamboo Society - Mid States Chapter
membership@bamboo.org

* Emailed 10/27/11 to get information on locations of members


Cali Bamboo
*Emailed to try and get samples

Class Day 10

Need to find any carpet recycling place, carpet sellers, carpet makers, and healthy flooring in KY (500 miles).

Presentations:

"Insulation Materials" by Helda

Looked into UK sponsored insulation projects.  Like at the Johnson Center they have a collection box to gather denim jeans to make insulation.  Cellulose insulation is something she looked into.  She got a sample, and it's made in KY.  The sample was composed of newspapers.  The blue jean denim insulation process seems rather simple, and doesn't contain any hazards.  


"Paint and Pollution" by Mallory


Contacted Sherwin Williams to ask about what is on the market, and their take on the no and low VOC labels.  Did experiments with a variety of paints mixtures, and found a wide range of results.  Would like to maybe try painting on her own walls with the best solution.  


"Healthy Alternatives to Carpet" by me


"Concrete" by Mark


The idea of melting glass bottles down to recycle into concrete isn't a bad alternative, and seems the best way to recycle glass bottles.  This is because companies don't want a mixture of colored glass bottles; they just want their one color for advertising.  He actually went so far as to make his own concrete with glass pieces counter top.  


"Refrigeration Systems" by Jeremy


The refrigeration systems are changing today.  Some companies like Coke have advanced their systems to be somewhat better.  While others are still unhealthy and off gassing continuously.  Want to address question of architects can't use refrigerates and instead what do we need to do.  That's a hard question to answer.  


"Kudzu" by Bridgette


Looking into kudzu in fiberboard.  She did an experiment with kudzu, resin, and a press.  The kudzu that she placed in a pot, actually grew even with resin on.  It's also safe for animals because her dog act some and didn't get sick. 


"SIPS" by Miles


He was very upset with the way the HBEER project is being done.  The idea of construction waste is a major issue being faced.  This can change through education and enforcement.  He went and visited the Toyota supplier, and saw all the waste products there.  

Bamboo Research

Bamboo Hardwood Flooring

Kevin Koga

KKoga@bamboohardwoods.com

10/25/11 @ 7:36 PM

Where do you get the bamboo from?

Mostly China, some from Vietnam

If outside the US, why isn't it grown locally?

Bamboo grows in US. There aren’t any US manufacturers of bamboo flooring

What are the pros of using bamboo flooring? Any negatives?

Rapidly renewable resource, sequesters carbon, no clearcutting of tree forests, FSC certified, E-0 compliant, CARB 1&2 complaint

How much does the bamboo flooring cost?

Varies

Do you sell mainly locally or around the US?

Both

What is the expected life of bamboo flooring?

25 years

Is there a coating put on bamboo flooring?  If so, what is it and is it toxic?

Yes, you would finish flooring. E-0 compliant, no offgassing, CARB 1&2 compliant.

Do you make the flooring or is it done elsewhere then brought to you?

We make it

How is the bamboo flooring made?

Didn't answer

Would I be able to get samples?

Didn't answer

I feel like these companies just don't want to give the time to help me.  I want them to answer these answers indepth, but they don't seem to really even care.  This can be seen in the way that Kevin didn't even answere two of my questions.

Bamboo Research

I emailed Kevin Koga at Bamboo Hardwood Flooring with my questions about bamboo.

Here are my questions:

* Where do you get the bamboo from?  If outside the US, why isn't it grown locally?

* What are the pros of using bamboo flooring?  Any negatives?

* How much does the bamboo flooring cost?

* Do you sell mainly locally or around the US?

* What is the expected life of bamboo flooring?

* Is there a coating put on bamboo flooring?  If so, what is it and is it toxic?

* Do you make the flooring or is it done elsewhere then brought to you?

* How is the bamboo flooring made?

* Would I be able to get samples?

Class Day 9

Becca Self
Education Director
Seedleaf

Works with the idea of food systems and being sustainable with them.  The three legged stool of sustainable when dealing with agriculture: environmental, economic, and community.  Beer and cigarette companies supply signs to markets that they display, while the healthier food choices don't.  There is an obesity-hunger paradox, which relies on convenience to keep going. Poor people can't afford any healthy food, so they buy fattening food.  In downtown Lexington, we have an area called "food desert".  This means they have no access to large retail grocery stores.  

Seedleaf started in 2007, and decided to start playing around the idea of growing food in these bad areas.  They grow food, and also gardeners.  Teach people how to grow, cook, and compost.  

There is no perfect system!!!

One of the systems they are hoping to establish better is the idea of aquaponics.  It uses the connection between fish and plants.  The fish water gets dirty, and the plants drink the water and filter the harmful items out and them the clean water goes back to the fish tank.  It's a never ending cycle.


*Important date:  Have blog into book form to send off to blurb.

Research

Look what I got in the mail from Forbo...got a Forbo Product Guide 2011, Sustain Straight to the Points, Forbo Cleaning and Care Guide 2011, Environment Brochure 2006, 1 Marmoleum Real sample, 1 Marmoleum Composition Tile (MCT) sample, and 1 Marmoleum Dual sample.

The Marmoleum, Marmoleum Dual Tile, and MCT contain 46.5% recycled content, which is wood flour and tall oil.  The indoor environmental quality of all three tiles with their adhesive meets the requirements set, and consists of low emitting materials.  Marmoleum contains 33% by weight of renewable materials including linseed oil, pine rosin, and jute.  Marmoleum Dual Tile and MCT contain 23% by weight of renewable materials including linseed oil and pine rosin.  

The rosin used is a key agent in the first step of making the Marmoleum tiles.  It is tapped from pine trees, which doesn't affect the tree's growth.  Along with linseed oil, the two give the tiles their strength and flexible qualities.  Linseed oil is the most important raw material used in the tiles.  It comes from the pressing of the seeds from the flax plant.  In the past, it was used as a cooking oil and for lighting.  The linseed oil is mixed with Tall oil, which is a recycled post-industrial by-product of the Kraft paper industry.  This helps pout the oxidation process in the production of the tiles.  Jute is the backing material used.  It's natural, and comes from the yarn form of the webbing spun from jute grown in India and Bangladesh.  The pigments used are ecologically responsible pigments that don't contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium.  Other materials in the tiles include wood flour, cork flour, and limestone.

In the production of linoleum the main impact is due to the amount of energy used.  The whole process consists of oxidation, mixing, calendaring, and drying.  For years, Forbo has been working on lower the amount of energy they us, and in 2004 they managed an energy saving of 3.2%.  The energy sources used are electricity and natural gas.  

All over the world, Forbo has obtained numerous awards for being environmentally friendly.  In the US, Desk Top and Bulletin Board received an environment award in 1997.  The Sequoia Award is given to organizations that demonstrate environmental innovation and leadership in conservation techniques, applications and processes.  Also, they received from Buildings Magazine's Innovations Award for 'Environmental Sensivity' at the Neocom World's Trade Fair in 1998, 1999, and 2001.

Marmoleum consumes about 28-35 kg of oil during the production process.  The amount of CO2 released is about 29-36 kg.  

The tiles life span is around 25-40 years, and after that the floors need to be replaced and disposed of properly.  The options for disposing of the old tiles are incineration or landfill.  With incineration the burning of linoleum is about the same amount of CO2 released as the raw materials within the tiles.  The linoleum is a closed loop system, which means the energy obtained from incinerating linoleum is roughly equivalent to, or even more than, that which is used in production.  With landfilling the tiles, the linoleum can safely be added to landfill refuse sites where it natural decomposes.  Linoleum is biodegradable and doesn't release any harmful substances or gases.