Go Green
A Blog by WARM Training Center
Eco-Flooring
Dec 30th
During tours of our demonstration center we frequently receive questions about green flooring options, how well they work, and what to use. Our answer? Look down! WARM has a number of different eco-friendly floors installed in our office, including bamboo and cork. They hold up well against the constant traffic, but are also stunning and would fit well in any home.
So if you can’t make it down to our office to see for yourself, here is a good online guide for those thinking about installing an eco-friendly floor in their home or office. Please note that this guide is from a manufacturer and focuses on wood, so read it with that understanding in mind. Other options to consider are natural linoleum, recycled fibers, glass tile, vinyl, or even recycled tires!
Saving with your Electronics
Dec 29th
I’m sure you guys know of this product, but it was a new find to me, and helps solve my problem with devices that are always on at home, such as the DVD player. What do you guys think?
Jeff, Detroit
Thanks Jeff, good find! Power strips are truly great items to have around the house, they save you money and time. Use them to plug all your electronics into one source, then when you leave the room you only have one switch to flip. The automatic shut off feature on this model is a nice addition, but any power strip will work.
Continue reading “Saving with your Electronics” »
Detroit Office of Energy and Sustainability
Dec 18th
Mayor Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. just announced that Detroit is creating an Office of Energy and Sustainability. We’re excited about this new step for the city. We’re also proud, because Cockrel specifically referred to WARM Training Center and the fact that this idea was born, in part, through conversations that he and his staff were having with community groups at our offices 2 years ago. From those conversations, Cockrel created a Green Task Force while he was President of City Council. Now that he is mayor, that task force has been reconvened as a Mayoral Task Force, and it will now be coordinated by the new Office of Energy and Sustainability. Mayoral aide Rick Bowers will be heading up the office.
We’ve compiled here a list of recent press coverage about the announcement. Let’s see what Detroit can do to take green to the next level.
Detroit News and their green blog
Furniture Recycling
Dec 17th
Where is a good place to recycle or donate used office furniture? I’ve looked into a private company that picks-up, refurbishes, and sells the furniture. I’ve also looked into Goodwill or Re-Habitiat for Humanity, any thoughts?
Craig, Southfield
Hi Craig, thanks for the question. It sounds like you’ve already done some digging and you’re already on the right path. I agree, the first step is reuse, and if you can’t reuse the furniture then try to recycle it. Land filling is the last and least preferable option.
Continue reading “Furniture Recycling” »
SDAT
Dec 11th
This past October Alan Mallach of the National Housing Institute led a Sustainable Design Assessment Team in Detroit. The SDAT is a multi-disciplinary team of national experts sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, 9 of these teams visited selected cities around the country.
The Detroit SDAT focused on land use, economic development, renewable energy, transportation, & urban vitality and agriculture. Tied into these focus areas was an emphasis on sustainable development principles.
The SDAT Team presented their initial recommendations
(check under the “what’s new” section) and will publish their final report in January or February of 2009. The overall theme for the presentation was a “Leaner, Greener Detroit.”
Check back in February for a link to the published report.