K+BB - November 2008 - (Page 24)

California Greenin’ Eco-friendly products abound at West Coast Green It’s an exciting time for sustainability. With the development of—and increased participation in—numerous certiﬁcation programs, the creation of efﬁcient new products and technologies, and public awareness that continues to grow, green is part of the cool crowd and everyone wants in. At West Coast Green, which took place this September in San Jose, CA, and features the latest and greatest in sustainable materials, technologies, products and practices, attendees ﬂocked to booth after booth and seminar after seminar hungry to discover new trends and offerings in green design. condenses water vapor and puriﬁes it, the WaterMill (available February 2009) produces up to 3.2 gallons of drinking water per day using only air. The water—which costs approximately 11 cents per gallon (or an average operating cost of 35 cents per day), as opposed to bottled water, which typically averages around $4 per day—is then delivered to point-of-use devices in the home, such as a refrigerator water dispenser or sink spigot. This sustainable and cost-effective source of water for drinking and cooking can also be used in countries where water is scarce. And to make it entirely sustainable, a solar panel can be used to generate the electricity required. From left: Brondell’s Perfect Flush allows homeowners to transform regular toilets into dual-ﬂush models; Kirei USA’s Coco Tiles are made from reclaimed coconut shells with low-VOC resins; and Element Four’s WaterMill condenses water vapor and puriﬁes it, creating a sustainable in-home water generator. This year’s show, which encouraged visitors to “Dare Greatly,” certainly practiced what it preached. Employing its own sustainable strategies, including solar power, recycled (and recyclable) furnishings and compost bins, West Coast Green emerged carbon-neutral and showcased a wide range of products with one common goal: to green the built environment. In addition to the SG Blocks “Harbinger” showhouse, a two-story home designed by Lawrence Group that was made from reused shipping containers and featured many products displayed on the show ﬂoor, the Innovation Pipeline exhibit was dedicated to clean technology products and those still in development, some of which truly embodied the catchphrase of the show. Brondell’s Perfect Flush: An easy retroﬁt that transforms ordinary toilets into water-saving dual-ﬂush models, the Perfect Flush can be installed in about 30 minutes and features an intuitive two-button control. An economical way to save water, ﬂush volumes can be adjusted for improved efﬁciency and instant savings. Kirei USA’s Coco Tiles: Adding to its collection of sustainable products, including Kirei Bamboo, Kirei Board and Kirei WheatBoard, Kirei USA debuted its Coco Tiles at the show. Named Sumatra, the first collection in the line features 12 styles of tiles made from reclaimed coconut shells, low-VOC resins and a sustainably harvested wood backing. It is available in color combinations of light, dark and mixed textures. Paneltech International’s PaperStone: A composite material made from petroleum-free resin, which contains natural ingredients like cashew nut shell liquid, and 100-percent post-consumer wastepaper, PaperStone “Certified” surfaces are FSC-, Smartwoodand Rainforest Alliance-certified. Scratch- and stain-resistant, they can bear temperatures of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and come in a variety of colors. Continued on page 26 GREEN PRODUCTS GALORE Sprinkled among the booths of design companies, landscaping ﬁrms and building material manufacturers were many notable kitchen and bath products. From recycled countertop options and water-conserving toilets to sustainable cabinetry and energy-efﬁcient lighting, manufacturers offered myriad ways to green the two most important rooms of the house. Here are a few of the show’s standout products: Element Four’s WaterMill: An atmospheric water collection device that 24 + K BB November July 2004 2008 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of K+BB - November 2008

K+BB - November 2008
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Feedback
Products
Trends
Special Green Section
Editorial/Green Intro
California Greenin'
Buying Green
Serious About Green
Natural Selection
Q&A
Control Issues
Green on a Budget
Airing Out
Earthly Wonder
Under the Influence
Cover Story: Under the Influence: An Asian-Inspired Kitchen with Green Appeal
Green Products
Ad Index
Editorial Index
Favorites

K+BB - November 2008