Elements of Green News

Fall For Color with FLOR

2010-10-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

What plastic is recyclable and what is not?

2010-08-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

My spouse and I have an ongoing battle over what plastic items are recyclable and what are not. Shouldn't all plastic be recyclable? Do you have it figured out?

In the store 'Elements of Green' we find ourselves in constant conversation with clients about where products come from and what they are made from. So I went to our local experts at Bridging the Gap and asked them for clarification. The most interesting item I learned from our discussion is there is no universal answer to this question. What applies here in Kansas City is unique from Denver, Seattle and or NYC. This is due to the available market potential for the recycled plastic material. So in Kansas City let's net it out as simply as possible.

Both the KCMO curbside recycling and Recycling Centers now accept the following types of plastic. Please read the list below carefully, as we are only able to accept the following specific types:

#1 and #2 plastic bottles with a neck (as before)
#2 HDPE margarine and yogurt containers
#5 Polypropylene food containers (ketchup, chocolate syrup, etc.)
#6 rigid, transparent polystyrene food containers (NOT Styrofoam™ food containers)

As far as what is “not recyclable” from your food packaging, here are a few examples:

Individual candy wrappers or potato chip bags with a mylar lining
Any plastic bags that used to package food
Cardboard or paperboard with oil stains from food (e.g. pizza boxes)

#1 Plastic: What Is It? -- PETE. Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner, and peanut butter containers. What's Wrong With It? -- #1 plastics are designed to be disposable, meaning they create more waste. If you try to reuse them, they can break down on you. The good news is, they are usually recyclable.

#2 Plastic: What Is It? -- HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles, and some plastic bags. What's Wrong With it? -- Not so much in terms of health -- this is one of the "safe" plastics (along with #1, #4 and #5). But it's still made from petroleum products and ends up in landfills, so like all plastic, is not ideal from an environmental standpoint.

#3 Plastic: What Is It? -- PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter containers, and detergent and window cleaner bottles. What's Wrong With It? -- Just about everything. So much, in fact, that I'm referring you to IATP's Smart Plastics Guide: PVC -- THE POISON PLASTIC: Polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl or PVC, poses risks to the environment and human health. PVC is the least recyclable plastic.

Vinyl chloride workers face an elevated risk of liver cancer.
Vinyl chloride manufacturing creates air and water pollution near the factories, often located in low-income neighborhoods.
PVC needs additives and stabilizers to make it usable. Lead is often added for strength, while plasticizers are added for flexibility. These toxic additives contribute to further pollution and human exposure.
Dioxin in air emissions from PVC manufacturing and disposal, or from incineration of PVC products, settles on grasslands and accumulates in meat and dairy products, and ultimately, in human tissue.
Dioxin is a known carcinogen. Low-level exposures are associated with decreased birth weight, learning and behavioral problems in children, suppressed immune function and hormone disruption.

#5 Plastic: What Is It? -- PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid; deli soup, syrup, and yogurt containers; and straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles. What's Wrong With It? -- Like #2, this type of plastic seems to be OK from a health perspective (though, as with all plastic, I'd be leery of microwaving it in case chemicals leach out during the heating process). But this thicker type of plastic is usually not recyclable and will take centuries to break down in a landfill.

#7 Plastic: What Is It? -- This is a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into the #1-6 categories. It includes polycarbonate (usually, but not always, labeled #7-PC), bio-based plastics, co-polyester, acrylic, polyamide, and plastic mixtures like styrene-acrylo-nitrile resin (SAN). Number 7 plastics are used for a variety of products like baby bottles and "sippy" cups, baby food jars, 5-gallon water bottles, sport water bottles, plastic dinnerware, and clear plastic cutlery. What's Wrong With It? -- For one thing, it's hard to know what type of plastic you're even dealing with, since so many fall under the Number 7 umbrella. For another, the list includes polycarbonate, which is the type of plastic found to leach Bisphenol-A, a known endocrine disruptor.

(Not sure what type of plastic you're dealing with? Flip the item over and check the number in the little recycling symbol on the bottom. Then read on.)

In closing, remember placing the wrong plastics in the recycling stream causes a negative value greater in proportion to the value of the correct plastics that you also included. So please be careful of what you recycle. Build Green, Live Healthy.

FLOR carpet tile

2010-07-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is the last week of the in showroom sale. Save 15% and get free shipping too only at Elements of Green.

FLOR Carpet Tile SALE - 15% off plus free shipping

2010-07-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

It only happens twice each year, and that time is here again, 15% off on your FLOR Carpet Tile purchase plus at Elements of Green you still receive free shipping.

This includes special rug kits like this one in the Tom Glick design.

And the colorful Elemental Stripe and You Only Live Twice too!

No coupons needed, but don't wait the sale ends July 25th.

Call: 816-842-0500

or come by:

1919 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

Skoy Cloth now available

2010-06-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

What is Skoy Cloth?

Its the reusable, environmentally friendly 100% biodegradable

alternative to paper towels.

The SKOY cloth is a fabulous, absorbent, biodegradable and natural multi-use cloth. Our re-usable earth friendly cloth is perfect in your kitchen, bathroom, and on most surface areas in your home or office. SKOY cloth can be used in place of your sponge, wash cloth or paper towels.

It is a European made product and 100% biodegradable because it is made from a natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp. SKOY cloth is a chlorine-free product using water-based colors and inks. After an independent composting test, SKOY cloth broke down completely within 5 weeks.
The SKOY cloth is a durable product due to the reusability factor and can last months. Using a SKOY cloth is equivalent to using 15 rolls of paper towels in an average home. With the high cost of paper towels, as much as $2 per roll, SKOY cloth is the obvious choice for your wallet and the environment.

The SKOY cloth has an absorption factor of 15x its own weight. As a result, producing the most superior cloth product available. Imagine using 15 sheets of good-quality paper towels at once… This is how a wet SKOY cloth will feel in your hand.

The SKOY cloth is long-lasting because of the wash ability feature. It dries quickly, so it is not a breeding ground for bacteria. Have you ever used your sponge, then smelled your hand and it reeked of horrible bacteria? That will never happen again if you microwave your SKOY cloth regularly. It is also dishwasher and washer/dryer safe. Cleaning your SKOY cloth will keep it healthy and germ-free. Please see Use & Care for instructions.

The cool and unique designs will make cleaning fun!

Green cleaning tips

2010-05-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

When cleaning around the house, a little for thought can keep you healthy and keep you from buying lots of specialty cleaners. Here are a few pointers for cleaning in the Kitchen and Bathroom:

Use hot water, liquid detergent and a sponge to wipe down acrylic, fiberglass or stainless-steel sinks. It is safe to use scouring powder and warm water on porcelain, enamel or glass sinks.
Tackle porcelain stains with a mix of one cup bleach and one quart water, leave for 15 seconds, then rinse. Use warm water and vinegar on mineral deposits. For an alternative to bleach the best substitute is borax. Using Borax with baking soda and lemon juice is an excellent multipurpose cleaner. If you must use bleach be sure to ventilate the area well, wear gloves and protect your clothing.
Windows clean with 1 quart warm water, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir occasionally while cleaning with old newspapers.
Shower heads can be removed and soaked if regular sponge cleaning is not keeping the deposits from forming. Soak the shower head in one part vinegar, eight parts warm water for 15 minutes. Use an old tooth brush if necessary.
Slow or clogged drains - Pour 1 cup vinegar down the drain. Wait 10 minutes. Add 1 cup baking soda. Wait 2 minutes. Follow with 1/2 gallon boiling water, repeat if necessary. Cleaning regularly will keep the pipes from closing up.
Tile Cleaner - 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda. Add warm water to make 1 gallon. Scrub the tile and grout, after they are clean and dry (12-24 hours), reseal the tile and grout.
Clean the coils on refrigerator yearly.

Other household tips to keep you more efficient.

Replace your furnace filter.
Sharpen your lawn mower blade.
Check the air pressure in tires for better mileage.

For the storage of books, line a box with newspapers and then the books. The newspapers will absorb moisture preventing the books from mildew. If you have books covered in mildew, sprinkle the affected pages with cornstarch.

For more on green cleaning products and sustainable building remodeling and finishing solutions Elements of Green is your partner.

GE Fast Forwards to Future of LED Lighting

2010-04-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

LED Lighting

GE unveils unique LED bulb designed to distribute light like an incandescent bulb, last 17 years

CLEVELAND – The inventor of the first visible light-emitting diode makes history again this year as it begins to show customers a 40-watt replacement GE Energy Smart® LED bulb available later this year or early 2011. GE Lighting's new LED bulb is expected to consume just 9 watts, provide a 77 percent energy savings and produce nearly the same light output as a 40-watt incandescent bulb, while lasting more than 25 times as long.

The new GE Energy Smart® LED bulb is expected to outperform currently available products that may be underwhelming consumers right now. GE scientists and engineers designed the bulb to better direct light downward on the intended surface and all around, not just out the top of a lampshade, as most current LED bulbs are prone to do. The new GE LED bulb offers 450 lumens—the Energy Star® threshold to be considered a 40-watt incandescent replacement. Currently available LED bulbs produce 350 lumens or less. GE has filed multiple patent applications for the bulb and expects it will be an ENERGY STAR®-qualified LED omnidirectional light bulb.

“This is a bulb that can virtually light your kid's bedroom desk lamp from birth through high school graduation,” says John Strainic, global product general manager, GE Lighting. “It's an incredible advancement that's emblematic of the imagination and innovation that GE's applying to solve some of the world's biggest challenges.”

GE Energy Smart® LED bulb product snapshot:

•Expected to consume just 9 watts—compared with 40-watt incandescent/halogen or 10-watt CFL, while delivering nearly the same light output;

•Expected 25,000-hour rated life—will last 17 years (4 hours per day), which is 25 times longer than a general service 40-watt incandescent or halogen bulb and more than 3 times longer than a standard 8,000-hour rated life CFL;

•LED technology delivers the instant full brightness of an incandescent or halogen bulb;

•Durable solid-state design with no filament to break;

•Contains no mercury and will be RoHS compliant; and

•Feels cooler to the touch than CFLs and far cooler than incandescent bulbs.

The 9-watt GE Energy Smart® LED bulb, a replacement for 40-watt general service incandescent bulbs, hits store shelves this fall or in early 2011. Retailers set pricing but it is expected to be $40 to $50. The new bulb joins GE's growing family of LED bulbs in a broad range of shapes, wattages and colors, including, spot and flood lights (PAR20 & PAR30), ceiling fan bulbs (A15), medium globes (G25), small globes (G16.5), candles (CA10), and night lights (C7). All of GE's Energy Smart® LED bulbs are rigorously tested to ensure constant color, long life and verifiable lumen ratings. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com or www.whatsyourlightingstyle.com. To learn about GE's dedication to LED quality standards, visit www.gelighting.com/apples-to-oranges.

GE will put prototypes of the bulb—outfitted with Cree XLamp® XP-G LEDs—on display at two upcoming trade shows: Light + Building 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany, and LightFair 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The high-efficiency, high-lumen-output LEDs used in the GE bulbs are Cree's smallest and brightest lighting-class LEDs, designed specifically for general lighting.

“The introduction of high-quality retrofit light bulbs, like the GE Energy Smart® LED bulb, is a key next step in the LED lighting revolution,” notes Norbert Hiller, Cree vice president and general manager, LED Components.

Strainic adds: “Consumers have been reluctant to move away from less efficient incandescent bulbs because they love the light quality. This new GE Energy Smart® LED bulb will address that lighting preference head-on and give consumers yet another option to light their homes and businesses.”

New Lighting Legislation

Starting in 2012 and continuing through 2014, standard incandescent light bulbs are going away as a result of U.S. federal lighting efficiency standards:

•100-watt bulbs can no longer be made in January 2012;

•75-watt bulbs can no longer be made in January 2013; and

•60- and 40-watt bulbs can no longer be made in January 2014.

GE has consumers covered each step of the way with alternatives such halogen, CFL and LED bulbs that already meet the new efficiency standards.

About GE Appliances & Lighting

GE Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination(SM) initiative enable GE Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.

April showers bring May flowers.

2010-04-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

Elements of Green is giving away Forget-Me-Not flower seed packets this 1st Friday to our first 100 guests. Each flower packet will also have a coupon good for an additional 5% off on your order of FLOR carpet tiles redeemable on the 40th annual Earth Day, April 22nd. Actually we are honoring the coupon the full week of April 20-24th. Be sure to stop in for yours while in the Crossroads tonight.

Are you enjoying this sunshine - see us for a SolaTube and let the sun shine in

2010-03-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

Put the sun to work for you, light up your home or business with a Solatube. What are Solatube's; they are much more than skylights, they are high-performance daylighting systems that use advanced optics to significantly improve the way daylight is harnessed. Ideal for bathrooms, hallways, closets, laundry rooms, dens or home offices and even kitchens, family rooms or dining rooms are appropriate. See the Solatube brochure for all the options.

Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite!

2010-03-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here we are owners of a sustainable building product store full of the 'greenest' products we can find for the finishing, remodeling and building of a home, but when it comes to products we don’t offer at the store or we can’t find a green product to use, what can we do? We do our best to buy local fruits and vegetables, and by think about the sustainability behind what we are buying. Let’s for example say that we need a new yard rake; we go to the local hardware store and we are offered a rake with green plastic or red plastic tines. In the recent past we could have selected from metal and before that our choice would have been a bamboo rake, but neither of these can be found. Should I pass on the plastic rake, drive back home and jump on the internet searching for a bamboo rake and order from who knows where, or should I buy the plastic rake from the local harware and then go home and get the lawn raked so the grass can flourish? I bought the rake --- I feel like a hypocrite.

I wonder what the demand is for bamboo rakes? Should we offer them at Elements of Green?

To Be Green - 2bg cabinetry announced in Kansas City Star

2010-02-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

Did you read the House and Home section of today's Kansas City Star, if not no worries I will keep you current with the important news: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/27/1768756/kcs-green-cabinets.html

2bg cabinets website at Elements of Green is up - check us out

2010-02-23T12:07:00.000-08:00

2bg cabinets now have a place of prominence displayed on the Elements of Green website. This is one of the most exciting initiatives we have put forward in the first 18 months of our companies existence. We start with the raw materials in sheet form. From Skyblend®, we use the FSC certified, 100% recycled material, finished with Thermally Fused Melamine to build the cabinet box and then the cabinet fronts are made of either Smith & Fong, FSC certified Plyboo® (rapidly renewable) or Environ Biocomposites, BioFiber® Wheatboard (rapidly renewable). But it’s not just the materials these cabinets are made out of it is also how they are made, this is premium cabinet box construction that will last 30-40 years! At this price, the quality that is in this cabinet is unexpected, by why would you want or accept anything less. If you need cabinetry you owe it to yourself to take a close look at 2bg, you will be glad you did.

2bg sustainable cabinets now available

2010-02-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

We are extremely excited to announce a new addition to the offerings at Elements of Green - 2bg sustainably built cabinets! 2bg is a local Kansas City company dedicated to producing earth-friendly kitchen cabinets with a build quality designed to last for decades, at a reasonable cost.

We have been studying the market and realized there was little choice in environmentally friendly cabinet options that are not only 'green', but durable, and reasonably priced.

On the left are lower cabinets made from Plyboo® bamboo while on the right is a close up of the BioFiber® wheat board cabinets.

Product benefits:

1. Every product used in the building of 2bg cabinet boxes are 100% recycled fiber, FSC certified, formaldehyde free and designed to last 30-40 years.

2. All materials used in the construction of the doors as also formaldehyde free and earth friendly using either FSC certified Plyboo® bamboo, or BioFiber® wheat board that utilizes a raw material left-over during the harvesting of wheat, which is usually discarded, plowed under or burned.

3. Our kitchens are produced with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. The use of high-tech computer software reduces production waste and water based zero-VOC finish will improve the air quality of your home. Locally crafting the cabinets along with responsible materials purchasing from once per month production of all ordered cabinets will reduce start-stop processing. And finally, delivery to clients will be combined via same-area-schedules to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption again promoting energy conservation.

4. All finished products are LEED® compliant.

You may select from our base offering of unfinished BioFiber® wheatboard, or (optionally stained) and prefinished BioFiber® wheatboard or move up to your choice of unfinished Plyboo® bamboo, or prefinished Plyboo® bamboo for your cabinets. All cabinets are premium grade box construction with European frameless fronts. Your final decision will be to install your new cabinets yourself or to have them professionally installed for you.

When you are ready for your new kitchen contact Elements of Green so we can quote you the new 2bg cabinets, just call 816.842.0500 or email sales@elements-of-green.com – you will be pleased that you did.

The American Royal Center, Remodeling Show and Green Zone

2010-02-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

February 12, 13 & 14 our showroom will be closed. Please come see us at the Green Zone:

Special Features at this year's Kansas City Remodeling Show:

Are you looking for environmentally friendly products? Then it's time you entered THE GREENZONE! The GreenZone is a 50,000 sq. ft. area of products, services and ideas for eco-conscious living and sustainable living. Non-profit organizations will be on hand to promote everything from recycling and energy conservation to sustainable lifestyles and alternative fuels. Commercial vendors will showcase products ranging from solar collectors and wind energy generators to thermal windows and high-efficiency home appliances. The GreenZone will also feature several educational exhibits on experimental programs and theoreticl projects to support eco-conscious living.

The featured speaker at this year's GreenZone is the ever popular Ed Begley, Jr. Ed is a leading proponent of living an environmentally friendly lifestyle and practices what he preaches. He and his wife Rachelle are the stars of the HGTV show "Living with Ed" where they bring us into their home and show us ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. For more information follow the link: http://www.patrihaproductions.com/RemodelingShow/speaker_bios.php.

It is the goal of the Remodeling Show's GreenZone to become the largest yearly exhibition of "green" products, services and ideas in the Midwest. We encourage non-profit organizations, commercial vendors and educational institutions who are interested in or promote related products, services or ideas to contact the Remodeling Show to participate in the GreenZone exhibiton.

When it comes to taking personal responsibility for the environment, few individuals can match the record of actor and activist Ed Begley, Jr. Known for turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, he has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He serves on the boards of organizations including the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People and Friends of the Earth. His work has earned both praise and awards from numerous environmental groups including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay, the Santa Monica Baykeeper, the Southern California Gas Company and the American Lung Association. Currently, he is the co-star of the hit Planet Green series Living with Ed, a look at the day-to-day realities of "living green" with his not so environmentalist wife Rachelle Carson. His book Living Like Ed is currently available nationally from Clarkson Potter / Random House, and his new book Ed Begley, Jr.'s Guide to Sustainable Living also from Clarkson was released September 2009. He continues to tour the country giving speeches about his sustainable living practices.

CBS Early Show and AFM Naturals Oil Wax Finish

2010-01-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

Steve Thomas, host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation wanted a finish to do a quick segment on building a table on CBS Early Show today. So we sent him a quart of Oil Wax. Here's the video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5110003n It's quite a testament using his hands to spread the Oil Wax.

We Put Your Health FirstAt Safecoat®, protecting personal health has always been our first priority. That's why for over 25 years we've been working to develop the safest, highest quality and least toxic paints and building products. Today AFM safecoat is the leading provider of environmentally responsible, sustainable and non-polluting paints, stains, wood finishes, sealers and related green building products.

The Safecoat® Difference

Many so-called "Zero VOC" products on the market reduce emissions that cause outdoor air pollution, but still contain a host of unregulated toxic ingredients (such as formaldehyde, ammonia, acetone, exempt solvents and odor masking agents) that cause indoor air pollution.
Safecoat® products go much further to protect your health. In addition to meeting the highest standards of environmental responsibility, we also eliminate toxic ingredients such as solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, formaldehyde and other harmful preservatives.

Safecoat® products are structured to literally create a "safe coat," with a unique molecular formulation designed to seal surfaces (from wood to metal to concrete, carpets, and much more), thus reducing "offgassing," or the emission of toxins into your environment.

We set the standard for protecting personal health through reduced toxicity.

A creative new video from FLOR

2010-01-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

What color are you feeling today? There are so many colors to choose from when you look at FLOR carpet tiles. This You-Tube is wonderful at telling the story. Take a look, you won't be sorry you did. FLOR for every mood you and your home are in...

American Clay demonstration at GreenBuild 2009

2009-12-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

American Clay is such a beautiful product to use when finishing your walls. Take a look at this short You Tube video demonstration that shows how quickly and easily American Clay can be repaired as well. From residential to commercial projects there is nothing comparable.

And now with the new Enjarre Commercial wall finish - what more can I say, just watch this video where they spay the product and cover 110 square feet of wall in just 6 minutes. Enjarre

Elements of Green in the Kansas City Star Sunday December 6, 2009

2009-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Recycled materials make countertops visually vibrant, eco-friendly

By MISTY McNALLY

Special to The Star

Mike Ransdell | The Kansas City Star

Karen and Wayne Tenenbaum remodeled their Kansas City kitchen in June. Incorporated in the modern EnviroGLAS countertops are chips of brown, amber, black and green glass that they selected, as well as recycled porcelain from toilets and tubs.

EnviroGLAS Tenenbaum kitchen

EnviroGLAS Tenenbaum kitchen close up

EnviroGLAS Sarah Soden, Hutch

EnviroGLAS Soden - Close up

PaperStone

The above pictures are from client projects by Elements of Green, except the last one.

Remodeling your kitchen? Coming down with a case of granite fatigue? Never fear, a remedy is available: Install a countertop made from recycled materials. The new look can personalize your kitchen and boost the health of the environment, too.

Countertops may contain colorful fragments of recycled beverage bottles or porcelain from old plumbing fixtures such as sinks and toilets. Even recycled paper is making an appearance as a counter surface.

Paper power

The Kitchen Studio showroom in the Crossroads Arts District features a PaperStone countertop that is used as a desk. The subtle color variations — Cabernet, Chocolate, Plum, Indigo and Evergreen — remind Kitchen Studio co-owner Sue Shinneman of rich leather.

“The color goes all the way through. If you cut something on it with your knife, you’re not going to see white,” Shinneman says of its durability.

“Basically, they just press the paper together, and it’s a very hard surface,” says Kitchen Studio co-owner Katie Ott.

“I spill,” she sheepishly admits. “I always have a salad and olive oil, but it cleans up very easily. And I haven’t scratched it and have binders on it all the time.”

Richlite, another company that makes recycled paper countertops, boasts that the material is used for hard-core surfaces like skate park ramps and backer boards for fiberglass boats.

John Ditto chose PaperStone in a dark green about two years ago when he replaced his laminate kitchen countertops. He mulled over samples of quartz composite and recycled glass in concrete before choosing the paper-based surface.

“The recycled glass had a very busy pattern. I have a small kitchen … and I was afraid it might be a little bit overwhelming,” Ditto says. “I am really pleased with the PaperStone.” He marvels that he can set hot pans on it without worry, and he simply wipes up spills with a dishcloth.

Occasionally if water on the surface doesn’t bead up, the countertop requires a touch-up buffing with beeswax.

Another plus, Ott says, is that recycled paper countertops feel much warmer to the touch than stone, making the surface ideal for eat-in kitchen counters, bathrooms and home office desktops.

Glass glitz

With limitless possibilities in color combinations, glass is one of the most popular recycled materials for countertops. Several brands utilize recycled glass in a concrete or resin matrix.

Eco by Cosentino uses chips from broken mirrors; some IceStone styles take salvaged shirt button chips from the factory waste; EnviroGLAS EnviroMODE features recycled porcelain tubs, sinks and toilets; and Vetrazzo Millefiori showcases multicolored shards of art glass.

Karen Tenenbaum says she and her husband, Wayne, fell in love with the look of the EnviroGLAS — and the idea of reuse. “When we saw it, we were just bowled over.” They remodeled their 1970s kitchen in June and with the help of Built by Design in Olathe and Elements of Green in Kansas City.

“It was a very exciting process to be able to pick the colors,” Karen says. “I picked brown, amber, black and a pale green with porcelain and a porcelain-color resin. And I picked bigger chunks of glass because I didn’t want a really busy countertop. There will be no one else in Kansas City that has the same exact countertop.”

Shinneman notes that recycled glass countertops can be custom-mixed. “We have clients that ask, ‘Do they have one that’s made out of wine bottles? Because I have a wine tasting room, and I’d love to have a top that’s crushed-up wine bottles.’ People relate to them. There’s one style named Ale made out of beer bottles.”

There are many possibilities with glass, including a concrete matrix (a combination, however, that is more susceptible to stains from acids such as lemon juice). As for installation, Shinneman says that almost anyone who works with stone versions can install glass countertops, and carpenters can handle paper counters. Pricing is comparable to standard granite, Ott says.

Sarah Soden lives in Brookside and chose to top a hutch in her kitchen with EnviroGLAS that features pale greenish windshield pieces and amber beer bottle shards.

“It’s in a darker corner without windows, so we wanted something kind of sparkly to wake it up.” Plus, she says, it was a visual way to teach their kids about the reduce-reuse-recycle mantra.

“I love the results,” Soden says. “It’s the hardest-working piece of furniture in our house, because it’s right where we walk in. It’s where backpacks get set down and mail laid down. And when we have company, we clear it all off and use it for serving.”

Wood wonders

If you’re looking for an all-natural option, Elmwood Reclaimed Timber in Smithville specializes in reusing wood from old barns, houses, schools and other sites.

“We’ve created kitchen countertops out of almost any species, from something very clean to something very rustic with a patina to it,” says Brent Kroh, Elmwood sales vice president. “A lot of our old boards have knobs and holes, but you can fill them with an epoxy.”

They make butcher block, plank-style tops and counters for eat-in kitchen bars or islands. And with the proper finish, wood can even be used next to the sink, Kroh says.

Wondering where the wood may have been in its previous life? “All of our antique materials are certified for recycled content, so we have to be able to track the material from the original structure,” Kroh says. “We make sure none of our materials has been treated with a toxin. We also kiln-dry our material, and that eradicates any mold spores.”

Artistic experimentation

Designing countertops with recycled material is a great way to express yourself. Peter Crump, owner of Urban Stone Concrete in Kansas City, has added post-industrial content to the concrete in custom-molded countertops, as well as recycled bottle glass.

And Stew Langer of UroGlass in Kansas City sandwiches recycled glass between new glass. “It looks like ice floating,” he says.

“I had an architect approach me with the idea. … With the advent of green building, I got to thinking, ‘Why should we be throwing all this stuff away?’ ”

REDUCE BY REUSING
Because recycling usually requires collection, distribution and remanufacturing, reuse is always preferable. Realtor Mary Fox remodeled her home in Kansas City with secondhand materials. Her countertops combine three materials: limestone, granite and butcher block, all removed from homes during remodels.

She has volunteered for three years at Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which accepts new or gently used home appliances, construction materials and similar items for resale.

She recalls a day when she was just browsing and spied a side-by-side stainless steel Viking refrigerator for $1,500.

“My heart went into my throat,” Fox says with a laugh. “I ran over and put a sold sign on it.” She says the retail value, new, was about $8,000.

•Heartland ReStore, 520 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kan., 913-596-6597

RESOURCES
•Built by Design,318 N. Overlook St., Olathe, 913-782-6311, www.builtbydesignkc.com

•Elements of Green, 1919 Wyandotte St., 816-842-0500,www.elements-of-green.com

•Elmwood Reclaimed Timber, 1405 N.W. 134th St., Smithville, 816-532-0300,www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com

•Fabricor, 1342 Woodswether Road, 816-221-8611,www.fabricor4tops.com

•Kitchen Studio, 520 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, 816-221-3111, www.kitchenstudiokc.com

•Top Master, 2844 Roe Lane, Kansas City, Kan., 913-492-3030, www.top-master.com

•Urban Stone Concrete, 4232 Troost Ave., 913-461-4658, www.urbanstoneconcrete.com

•UroGlass, 1611 Genessee, Suite 100, 816-283-3876,www.uroglass.com

Recycled materials make countertops visually vibrant, eco-friendly - KansasCity.com

2009-12-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

Recycled materials make countertops visually vibrant, eco-friendly - KansasCity.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

We are very thankful for all the friends we have made this year, clients and vendors. In recognition of the Thanksgiving Holiday we will close early Wednesday and remain closed Thursday and Friday. We will return to the store on Saturday with our work clothes on to decorate the store and work on displays. If you need to contact us please call 816.842.0500 and leave a message, we will be checking voice mail frequently. We wish you and yours a wonderful time together. See you soon. Gerould

2009-11-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Please join KCMODERN
SHOWCASING GREEN

at the amazing house built by

Studio 804
3716 Springfield

and Gerould Sabin of Elements of Green

Sunday, November 15^th, 4-6pm

Studio 804 at the University of Kansas has

designed Kansas City’s first “off the grid”

residence as a model of sustainability. The

studio is aspiring to complete the first

LEED platinum residence in the state of

Kansas. The house showcases may energy

saving techniques, including a wind turbine,

solar panels, a geothermal heat pump and

a water reclamation system.

Meet Gerould Sabin of Elements of Green,

which he created to make an impact in

Kansas City by simplifying access to the

product stream of sustainable building,

remodeling and finishing solutions to the

Midwest and to provide a social networking

venue for the discussion of environmentally

sound building materials and practices.

Studio 804: http://www.studio804.com/about%20us/mission/studio/studio.html

3716 Springfield: http://www.3716springfield.com/

From State Line Road and 39th Street,

go west on 39th by KUMed

and across Rainbow Bvld,

3 blocks to Springfield and north

to the house

Elements of Green: http://www.elements-of-green.com/about-us.html

More Info: http://kcmodern.blogspot.com/ or 913-262-5056

Nuff said

2009-11-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

I wish I had written this...

2009-10-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Please see Planet Green http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/green-home improvement-addvalue.html for a discussion on 5 Green Home improvements that will pay you back.

Upgrades to the kitchen do not require a complete renovation to add value; a new green countertop or an upgrade to your kitchen floor will net 90 - 100 percent return on your investment.
Update your bathroom and like the kitchen a complete renovation is not required to add value; regrouting existing tile, painting and most of all updating fixtures that conserve water adds lots of value.
Add insulation - here I take exception to the Green Planet Blog. They state that you can almost never have too mush insulation, I will tell you that this is can be a terrible waste of money if this is not where your home is leaking. The good news is technology has come to the rescue, home energy audits will tell you if insulation will help or if you need to seal off air leaks in other ways first. We are able to recommend several individuals for home energy audits, call us.
Improve the efficiency of your heating or cooling.
Windows - be careful here. Much to the opposition of what we are told during almost every prime time radio or TV station break, new windows may not be the best answer for your home and the same goes for vinyl siding by the way. The Green Plant Blog does a very nice job of describing how removing the old wood frame windows in a 100 year old home may reduce the homes value.

We wish to point out several links to reviews the Green Planet has done on specific products that our clients ask us about frequently.

So there you are 5 home improvement projects that will pay you back, the resources to learn more about the recommended areas and Elements of Green is here to supply you. What could be easier.

Smith & Fong launches hardwood flooring line

2009-10-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

April 30, 2009 - San Francisco, Calif. - Bamboo flooring and plywood pioneer Smith & Fong Co. today announced the launch of the company’s first line of hardwood flooring.

Named Sideways, the new line comes in ⁹/₁₆" x 5" x 47 ¹/₂" engineered click-lock planks, featuring a rotary-cut hardwood veneer face with a striking twist.

"Sideways takes a whole new approach to hardwood flooring on many levels, Smith & Fong president and founder Dan Smith said. From its distinct non-traditional appearance to its green credentials, this is a floor that will turn heads."

Developed for both commercial and residential applications, the entire line is urea formaldehyde-free and FSC-certified, enabling it to qualify for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Credits MR 7: Certified Wood; and EQ 4.4: Low-Emitting Materials (No Added Urea Formaldehyde). Sideways is manufactured in America from indigenous hardwood species, maple, beech, birch, cherry and hackberry.

And now it is available at Elements of Green and can be seen in our showroom.

2009-09-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

I saw this post on another Blog and wanted to share as we fight this battle of green washing everyday. For help look to your locally owned interior finishing store, Elements of Green:

Can 400 Green Labels Do Anything But Confuse The World's Consumers?

by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 09.28.09

Business & Politics

Certification seals, consumer familiarity or "recognition". Image credit:BBMG

The market research group BBMG just reported on his year's annual survey of green consumer attitudes. Questions were asked to determine recognition of 13 of the estimated 400+ green labels already out there. Two thousand adult consumers were polled. Recognition was strongest for government sponsored, single attribute labels and weaker for non-government marks, as pictured. BBMG conclude that too-numerous labels might confuse consumers. Ya think? Four hundred competing labels is a near-perfect way to devalue the whole idea. Green Globes and Green Leaves: every body's got 'em. Makes me wonder if industries in opposition are donating money to label originators.

Durable goods makers contribute to label proliferation, as more brands come up with their own.

The smaller the physical product, the more likely that "label clutter" will contribute to consumer discouragement. Look on the back of your cell phone, under the battery, for an example of label clutter.

It gets worse.

Every nation has its own green label culture
Some green labels tackle just a single attribute: like USDA Organic, and Energy Star. These are among the most widely recognized and trusted in the USA, being government sponsored. Others are multi-attribute, composites that no one ever heard of.

Some labels issue a certification based on a proprietary index. Some rely on subjective judgments offered by PhD's, lurking behind the web address where manufacturers send their payment checks. Other certifiers are entirely transparent. But, transparency may not do enough to improve consumer understanding.

Some require expensive life cycle inventories all the time; others, only some of the time.

Most don't deal with carbon footprints. But, there is a movement to label "green buildings" as if they were organic foods to be eaten (see links below).

Some print their standards in English. Some don't. I don't read Japanese.

The EU is supposed to consolidate all the older national green labels under a single banner; but, don't hold your breath waiting. There's an undercurrent of "eco-nationalism" that tends to keep the branding separated. This exists not just in the European countries, but: pretty much everywhere but the USA . The USA only has a couple of prominent ones and they are very simplistic and inexpensive.

For how many years have these green labels been a-blossoming and changing? At least two decades. In another decade, we might have at least 500 green labels if we are lucky. Surely that will halt climate change in its tracks.

More posts on labels.
US Green Building Council Wants Structures Labeled for Air Quality
Green Label Organic Launches New Line for 2006
Is New Organic Beauty Label Green or Greenwash?
Fujitsu Siemens Launches Its Own Green IT Label
98% of Green Labeled Products are Actually Greenwashed