Green Home Products I Love at Greenbuild Philly

This week I got my green building geekiness fill at  Greenbuild Philadelphia.  Let me tell you.   As I strolled down the aisles I got that tingly feeling inside that green building was back and stronger than ever.  Although, the exhibits catered more to the  commercial building arena,  there was something for everyone in both the commercial and residential spaces.  Below, I will highlight some of my favorite green home products and concepts at the show.

1.  Attention to Waste:

I would be totally remiss if I didn’t mention how green building isn’t just about energy efficiency.  Waste reduction in the building sector is an important component.

Greenbuild took that mission to heart.  When you enter the exhibit hall, you couldn’t miss young people assigned to waste bins generated at the convention.  One bin for compost, another for recycling, and the last one for landfill.  I overheard one of the waste watchers yell out, “I love compost.”  It made me chuckle since I do too.

Greenbuild’s goal was to either recycle or compost 91% of the waste generated at the convention.  All conventions should follow suit.

Green Home Products:

2.  Toilet Talk:

I love toilets  and write about them often.   (No, I am not obsessed with bodily functions.)  American Standard, Toto, Niagara Conservation, and Kohler were showing off their toilets.  Kohler even had a mobile van so you can see how their toilets flush with their new ceramic lined guts.  (*Nothing* sticks so toilets don’t clog up.)

Toto now has a 1 gallon per flush toilet. (Niagara still has Toto beat with its .8 GPF)  Finally American Standards’ toilets were sleek and beautiful.   Did you know toilets can be furniture?

3.  What’s a Green Home Show without great Design?

What would a show be without design?  Forbo’s Marmoleum had some exquisite designs.  (*Hint* It ain’t your grandma’s linoleum anymore.)

In the paint department, Sherwin Williams showed off its washable chalk paint. Although, Benjamin Moore didn’t have any new products to highlight, you couldn’t miss their paints beautiful colors.

On the other hand, who doesn’t love tile?  Crossville’s tile not only contains recycled content but has a great sustainable story as well.

Of course, the convention featured eco-countertops.  My favorites are Richlite, Icestone, Eco by Cosentino and newcomer, Alkemi.

4. Raining rainwater systems.

Everywhere I turned was a rainwater collection system. (Maybe, I just noticed them since I am on the hunt for an affordable option for my little farm.)  My favorite system was the under the deck pillow rainwater system.  It looked like a big black water bed.  How many of you remember water beds?

5.  Show stopping Natural Pools

Ever since I laid my eyes on a natural pool via  a Mother Earth’s article, I have been in love.  Water meets plant life without the chemicals.

Rin Robyn Pools (pictured above) designs hybrid pond like pools within the structure of a conventional pool.

Honestly, I could go on and on about all the green home products that I saw at the show, but this article would be too lengthy.

After visiting the show, my green building mojo returned which has been buried due to the economy.  Stay tune.  Over the next months, I will be posting more green home products and decor items for your home.

Join the Conversation:

• Let me know in the comments what areas of green home you would like me to cover.
• Did you attend Greenbuild?  What were your thoughts?

Natural Pools picture courtesy of Rin Robyn pools.

 

 

 

 

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