Content about Green Central

May 13, 2013

Masco Home Services passes efficiency milestone

Masco Home Services and its affiliated company Energy Sense, part of the Masco Contractor Services family of companies, recently surpassed a milestone of verifying more than 200,000 Energy Star compliant homes combined.

May 8, 2013

Trex wins green award

Trex Co. has received the 2013 Green Award from Washingtonian magazine. The annual awards recognize citizens, companies and organizations in the D.C. metro area that are working to improve the environment and encourage eco-friendly living.

Trex Co. has received the 2013 Green Award from Washingtonian magazine. The annual awards recognize citizens, companies and organizations in the D.C. metro area that are working to improve the environment and encourage eco-friendly living.

April 16, 2013

Walmart unveils sustainable commitments in global meeting

In its Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting on Monday, Walmart announced new commitments the retailer says will dramatically increase energy efficiency and renewables, and hasten its path toward being 100% supplied by renewable energy.

Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke outlined specific goals the company said it intends to achieve by Dec. 31, 2020:

April 9, 2013

A conservation ad that’s just plain weird

WaterSense partners help promote a public service campaign called “Wasting Water is Weird.”

“Rip the Drip” may not be a household name. But he’s a positive influence on household water consumption.

Rip is the star of a series of public service announcements from the WaterSense program and its three–time WaterSense Partners of the Year, Kohler Co. and Lowe’s.

April 2, 2013

Philips LED 100-watt equivalent bulb first to be Energy Star-qualified

Designed to replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb while reducing energy consumption by more than 75%, the LED 22-watt offers a light output of about 1,800 lumens.

Philips has announced that its LED 100-watt equivalent bulb, the Philips LED 22-watt, is now Energy Star-qualified. Designed to replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb while reducing energy consumption by more than 75%, the LED 22-watt offers a light output of about 1,800 lumens.

The bulb is the first LED 100-watt equivalent to achieve Energy Star qualification.

April 2, 2013

Shaw Industries' carpet-to-energy facility earns LEED Silver

Shaw Industries Group has achieved the USGBC's LEED Silver designation for New Construction for its Reclaim to Energy (Re2E) process building, in Dalton, Ga.

"We take a holistic approach to all that we do, so it's only fitting that the facilities that manufacture and recycle our products are also designed for minimal environmental impact," said, Paul Murray, VP sustainability and environmental affairs, Shaw Industries.

March 26, 2013

Mississippi endorses a more inclusive approach to forest certification approach

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed legislation Wednesday specifying that rating systems used in green building projects funded by the state government "shall not exclude certificate credits for forest products certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council or the American Tree Farm System."

The move was hailed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiaitive (SFI).

March 25, 2013

Acuity’s Antique Street Lamps shine with LEDs

Atlanta-based Acuity Brands launched four new post-top LED luminaires from Antique Street Lamps that combine modern LED light sources with a traditional appearance.

Atlanta-based Acuity Brands launched four new post-top LED luminaires from Antique Street Lamps that combine modern LED light sources with a traditional appearance.

All four LED post tops feature long-life LED technology to minimize maintenance time and costs.

March 25, 2013

GAF sponsors Principia roofing conference

The Energy Efficient Roofing 2013 conference will be held April 8 and 9 in Charlotte, N.C.

Roofing supplier GAF became a full program sponsor for the Energy Efficient Roofing 2013 conference to be held on April 8 and 9 in Charlotte, N.C.

“GAF is proud to sponsor Energy Efficient Roofing 2013. We view our partnership with the conference as a natural extension to GAF’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.”

March 19, 2013

Fighting words for the EPA

At the 2013 NLBMDA/WDMA Legislative Conference, a congressman rips out-of-control regulations.

Washington, D.C. -- Speaking to a room full of lumberyard owners and LBM suppliers, Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio's 6th Congressional District and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee made it very clear how he felt about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

March 18, 2013

Energy Star honors Sears Holdings

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Sears Holdings with a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This year, Sears Holdings is being awarded for both its role as a retailer of Energy Star-certified products and for energy management in its stores. Sears Holdings' accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

March 18, 2013

Green Building Council still open for suggestions

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) opened its sixth and final public comment period for LEED version 4.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) opened its sixth and final public comment period for LEED version 4. The comment period runs through March 31.

From a lumber industry perspective, the current LEED standard recognizes certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

March 11, 2013

Eco Red Shield receives Certificate of 'Material Excellence'

Eco Building Products has announced that its Eco Red Shield protected lumber has been recognized for 'Material Excellence' and selected for inclusion into Material ConneXion's global material library.

Eco Building Products has announced that its Eco Red Shield protected lumber has been recognized for 'Material Excellence' and selected for inclusion into Material ConneXion's global material library.

ECOB's material submission included physical samples that were sent to every Material ConneXion location worldwide.

March 8, 2013

Meritage cited for energy efficiency

Phoenix-based Meritage Homes has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award.

Phoenix-based Meritage Homes has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. The award recognizes ongoing leadership across the Energy Star program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors.

March 7, 2013

Toro reacts to EPA’s Tier 4 Standard in diesel engines

The Toro Co. will be introducing several new Tier 4 compliant Reelmaster and Groundsmaster mowers beginning in 2013 that incorporate more sophisticated electronic controls, as well as new engines, exhaust systems and after-treatment technology.

Bloomington, Minn.-based The Toro Co. says it will be introducing several new Tier 4 compliant Reelmaster and Groundsmaster mowers beginning in 2013 that incorporate more sophisticated electronic controls, as well as new engines, exhaust systems and after-treatment technology.

The move is part of a plan to roll out cleaner diesel engine technology that complies with the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 Final emission standard.

February 28, 2013

WDMA points to concerns over Energy Star Version 6.0

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asked for comments. The Window and Door Manufacturers Association has several.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked for comments. The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) has several.

In response to an action by the EPA seeking additional comments on proposed draft Energy Star Version 6.0 criteria for skylights, WDMA is calling on the agency to address additional concerns the industry has about the skylight criteria, the proposed window and door criteria and the overall direction of the Energy Star program.

February 21, 2013

Sustainable Forestry Initiative names new VP

Andrew de Vries has joined the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as VP conservation, indigenous and government relations.

Andrew de Vries has joined the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as VP conservation, indigenous and government relations. He will oversee the SFI conservation program in Canada and engage Native Americans, First Nations and Metis groups both in the development and use of the SFI standard.

He will also work with governments in Canada and Europe to ensure inclusive forest certification related policies.

February 21, 2013

Trex honored for 'greenest' decking

Trex Co. was recently honored in the decking products category of Green Builder Media's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards.

Trex Co. was recently honored in the decking products category of Green Builder Media's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards. More than 40% of readers who voted selected Trex decking as the "greenest" in the industry.

February 20, 2013

Solar fusion: Industry groups form alliance

The new U.S. Solar Heating & Cooling Alliance plans to help develop markets for solar businesses.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the U.S. Solar Heating and Cooling Council (SHC Council) launched the U.S. Solar Heating & Cooling Alliance (SHC Alliance).

The Alliance is focused on growing the solar heating and cooling market through reducing barriers and advocating for policies on the federal, state and local levels.

The newly elected leaders of the U.S. Solar Heating & Cooling Alliance are:

February 13, 2013

Electrolux earns green recognition

Electrolux has this year been included in the Global 100 ranking of the world’s most sustainable companies, returning to the list for the first time since 2005.

Electrolux has this year been included in the Global 100 ranking of the world’s most sustainable companies, returning to the list for the first time since 2005. The company was also for the second year running named Sector Leader in the RobecoSAM 2013 global sustainability rating, and ranked as one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies in terms of addressing climate change.

February 4, 2013

CertainTeed boosts eco integration

CertainTeed Corp. integrated its ceilings product line into ecoScorecard and SmartBIM online tools, a move the company says will streamline green building specification and documentation.

Both platforms help architects and building professionals leverage the benefits of CertainTeed’s high-performance ceilings products, while eliminating the time-intensive manual research and analysis of green building projects.

February 4, 2013

d-CON fires back at the EPA

The pesticide brand says the Environmental Protection Agency is putting the health of Americans at risk by moving to ban certain d-CON products.

Reckitt Benckiser’s d-CON brand says it will not be banned without a fight.

Not only did the pesticide brand say it will challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s move to ban 12 d-CON mouse and rat poison products from the market, a d-CON spokesman shot back an accusation that the EPA’s move is bad public health policy.

January 31, 2013

EPA moves to ban d-CON pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the British maker of D-Con products refused to adopt the agency's safety standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to ban the sale of 12 d-CON mouse and rat poison products produced by Reckitt Benckiser because these products fail to comply with current EPA safety standards.

January 28, 2013

N.Y. store accused of CFL coupon fraud

The owner of a Farmingdale, N.Y., hardware store is accused of submitting hundreds of phony rebates for CFL purchases.

The owner of a Farmingdale hardware store has been charged with stealing more than $40,000 from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) by submitting hundreds of rebates for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that didn't exist and over-reporting advertising costs.

January 27, 2013

Werner brings attic ladder to Home Depot

Werner’s Energy Seal Attic Ladder, developed with Owens Corning, has become a Home Depot exclusive.

Greenville, Pa.-based Werner Co. is bringing its aluminum Energy Seal Attic Ladder to Home Depot on an exclusive basis.

The new product features the Owens Corning R-5 PINK insulation, within a 1-in. thick door structure. The aluminum attic ladder also features weather stripping around the frame that eliminates 60% of air leakage by creating a tight seal when the door is closed, according to the manufacturer.