The idea of using living materials for a roof is not a new one. Applying it to modern buildings, however, is relatively new. How is the ancient art of a living roof compatible with modern building methods? And why would anyone choose a living roof for his or her home? Read the rest of this entry

The green American lawn, with its well-groomed, square patch of grass, can come at an environmental price. Because a lawn that is nothing but grass (all clipped to a uniform length) is a rather unnatural thing, achieving it often means the use of gas-powered machines, pesticides, and weed killers.

You can achieve a beautiful lawn, however, without damaging the environment. Here are some tips for caring for your lawn in an eco-friendly way. Read the rest of this entry

Even if you are eco-conscious, you may not know that there are little things you can do in your own home to reduce your carbon footprint. When you look at the big environmental picture, it can look intimidating. It’s tempting to assume there’s nothing you can do to make a change. But the small things are cumulative, and it starts with the individual. In short, you can make a difference. Here are some smart ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Read the rest of this entry

The art of building with rammed earth is not new. Ancient civilizations were built using rammed earth construction, particularly in areas where wood was scarce. Some of these buildings are still standing today (rammed earth is durable!).

This technique is enjoying a resurgence. Here is an explanation of what rammed-earth building is, and why it is a sustainable building method. Read the rest of this entry

Glass is a fascinating material. It never loses all of its liquid properties, which is why very old glass windows are wavy. It can be recycled indefinitely, and it does not absorb tastes and stains. It is one of the oldest recyclable, man-made materials on Earth; ancient Egyptians made glass, and broken glass was melted down and reused.

It can be made into an amazing number of items, including an alternative to pavement (“glassphalt”), construction sand, containers, bottles, lenses, and other items.

But how does all this happen? What happens when your glass gets to the recycling center? Here is a brief explanation of what happens to all that glass. Read the rest of this entry