Here at EBN, we’re as guilty of it as anyone. We’ve tended to give short shrift to energy conservation in part because there are other excellent publications that focus just on energy. But we did put energy at the top of our

Checklist for Sustainable Design and Construction. And that's... Read more

by Kim Leclair and David Rousseau. 1992, Hartley & Marks, Inc., 79 Tyee Dr., Point Roberts, WA 98281. $19.95 U.S.; $24.95 Canada.

Environmental by Design, the field of environmentally sustainable design and construction took a significant step forward.... Read more

The Forest Information Resource System (FORIS), a database on the world’s timber resources, will be released by Tree Talk in November 1993. FORIS is intended to provide wood users with detailed information that will encourage the use of lesser-known and environmentally friendly species. Physical properties of each species, appropriate uses,... Read more

Exterior, below-grade foundation insulation has fallen into disfavor in some areas because it provides termites with a protected pathway into the structure. The problem is so serious that some termite prevention companies are refusing to treat houses with exterior foundation insulation, and code officials... Read more

A study done at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, concluded that ground drywall applied to soils in test plots increased crop yield by 25% over untreated soil. This result was similar to the benefits of applying limestone or agricultural gypsum to the soil in equivalent quantities (11... Read more

I recently received a copy of the May/June issue of

Environmental Building News and wanted to respond to the article “Problems with PVC” that covered Greenpeace’s campaign to eliminate chlorine-based compounds, and vinyl in particular.

Although Greenpeace has alleged that vinyl presents a threat to human health... Read more

ReClaim, Inc., a fast-growing company that recycles old asphalt shingles into pothole patching material, has received a patent for its product. RePave™ is used by municipalities and homeowners to repair roadways and driveways. ReClaim processes about 300 tons per day of roofing debris at its two New Jersey plants to make its paving products (... Read more

At a July 28 meeting in Pittsburgh the first steps were taken towards the establishment of an association to represent and coordinate the recycled plastic lumber industry. The Plastic Lumber Trade Association (PLTA) was officially formed with approval of all present at the meeting, though membership... Read more

by Peter Calthorpe. Princeton Architectural Press, 1993. Paperback. 175 pages. $24.95.

Peter Calthorpe’s latest book is a guide for planners and designers of communities. It begins with a series of essays outlining all the problems with neighborhoods and... Read more

Cellulose insulation has been the darling of the green building movement because of its recycled content, low embodied energy, low-tech processing, and excellent energy conservation performance. But concerns are also raised about health risks for cellulose installers and occupants of cellulose-insulated buildings. In fact, some healthy home... Read more

Foam-Tech, Inc. of North Thetford, VT, this past April became the first company to offer a urethane spray or injection foam with zero ozone-depletion potential. Super Green™ is produced with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 134a, which contains no chlorine and thus does not damage the Earth’s protective ozone layer. In 1991,... Read more

A group of product manufacturers and other building professionals has just founded the U.S. Green Building Council, with the goal of promoting environmentally sound and energy-efficient buildings worldwide. The Council was officially established at a May 27 meeting in Washington and already has over thirty... Read more

Assiniboine Community College has a new year-long vocational training program called “Sustainable Shelter Technology,” which will address all aspects of energy, and resource-efficiency, and health in housing. Contact: Mark Burch or the Admissions Office, Assiniboine Community College, 1430 Victoria Ave. East, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2A9; 204/726-... Read more

The First North American Conference on Trade in Sustainable Forest Products took place this past May in Washington, D.C. Organized on very short notice by The Forest Partnership of Burlington, Vermont, the conference drew a highly select group of experts in ecologically sound forest practices,... Read more

The International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation (CIB), based in France, is forming a new working group entitled “Construction and the Environment.” The new group will focus on recycling, waste reduction, by-products, and related matters. Membership in CIB is not a requirement for participation. Contact: Charles J.... Read more

On May 18 EPA Administrator Carol Browner announced a program to control hazardous waste combustion that may eliminate the burning of hazardous waste in cement kilns. Effective immediately, all new permits now require comprehensive risk assessment, and existing permits will be reviewed over the next 18 months, according to an EPA press release... Read more