Design for the Environment (DfE)
A concept or philosophy applied to the design process that advocates the reduction of environmental and human health impacts through materials selection and design strategies.
Leave a Comment November 30, 2009
Archives – November, 2009
BRI- Building Related Illness
Illnesses caused by toxic off-gassing from building materials or molds, bacteria, etc. that can accumulate in HVAC systems and carpeting.
Leave a Comment November 25, 2009
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
A biodegradable, thermoplastic derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch or sugarcanes.
PLA, sometimes referred to as ‘corn plastic’ is used to make biodegradable ‘plastic’ cups and other items.
Leave a Comment November 22, 2009
Composting
The purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food waste.
Leave a Comment November 21, 2009
Daylighting
Letting natural light into a space through glazing with the intent of reducing or eliminating electric lighting, and thereby the energy consumption of a building.
Leave a Comment November 19, 2009
eWaste
also- Electronic Waste
Loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete, broken, electrical or electronic devices.
Proper recycling and disposal of e-waste is important as electronic equipment contains some very serious contaminants such as lead and cadmium.
Leave a Comment November 17, 2009
Biodiesel
A cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils.
Biodiesel is meant to be used in standard diesel engines and is thus distinct from the vegetable oils used to fuel converted diesel engines. Biodiesel can be used alone, or blended with petrodiesel.
Leave a Comment November 15, 2009
Post-Consumer Waste
A waste produced by the end consumer of a material stream; that is, where the waste-producing use did not involve the production of another product.
Quite commonly, it is simply the garbage that individuals routinely discard, either in a waste receptacle or a dump, or by littering, incinerating, or pouring down the drain.
Leave a Comment November 12, 2009
R Value
A measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry.
The bigger the number, the better the building insulation’s effectiveness.
Leave a Comment November 11, 2009
