STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to building a new home, few people would look to paper, recycled glass and old blue jeans for building materials. However, according to The Center for Green Building in Bridgeport, Connecticut, all of those items provide greater health, energy efficiency and sustainability than the materials most of us are used to using.
Erin Buckley started the eco-friendly building supply business after her husband, a building contractor, was constantly sick. "As we did our research, we discovered that so many of the traditional building materials contain formaldehyde and other hazardous chemicals that can be so damaging to our health."
Some of the more popular items carried by Buckley include solar roof shingles, made from recycled glass which reflects heat away from the roof, and Icestone, composed of recycled glass, and Paperstone, which is made from recycled paper from the local school districts. According to Buckley both of these make for excellent, strong, durable countertops without the health risks of granite.
"Many people don't realize that granite emits radon gas, which is the leading cause of lung cancer," says Buckley. "These other materials present a great option for homeowners without the health risks."
According to Buckley, The Center for Green Building is founded on three basic principles: Health, Energy Efficiency, and Sustainability, "We find people often come in looking for healthy building options and leave being excited about the ability to be energy efficient as well."
And where do those old blue jeans come in? The Center partners with a company that turns people's old blue jeans into insulation. Buckley says they have found that the blue jean insulation is three times as effective and lasts six times as long as traditional fiberglass.
The Center and its building supplies were recently featured on "Attainable Sustainables", a program carried on MXTV, a cable channel created by MXenergy, one of the nation's leading independent energy providers.
"We are constantly looking for ways to educate our customers and viewers about ways they can become more energy efficient in their own lives," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director. "The company offers truly innovative options for people who are building or remodeling their homes. Not only can people make their homes more energy efficient, they can also make them healthier as well."
In order to educate people about the importance of energy efficiency and other environmental issues, MXenergy has created its own On Demand cable channel, MXenergyTV, or MXTV for short, which can be found on Cablevision iO Channel 654 in the Northeast United States. The piece "Green Home" is just one of many programs focused on energy efficiency and "green living." The complete story can be found on the MXTV archive at http://mxenergy.com/mxenergytv-video-archive.html.
More information about The Center for Green Building can be found at www.centerforgreenbuilding.com.
About MXenergy
MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses. Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans. MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. For more information on MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.