Courtesy of the City of Scottsdale
Green Building Lecture Series
Date: Thursday, Jan. 7, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Scottsdale Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road (northwest corner of McDowell and Granite Reef, behind the convenience store)
Older energy inefficient homes infiltrate outside air indoors through cracks and penetrations in exterior walls and ceilings while picking up dust and dirt along the way. Energy-efficient homes are weather-stripped and air-sealed in order to keep out summer heat and winter cold air. In either case, everything taken inside a home eventually becomes a part of the air we breathe. The removal of dust, allergens, and infectious agents is crucial to maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment. A healthy home improves indoor air quality by reducing the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and allergens that negatively affect our health and how we feel.
Meanwhile on the outside of our homes, conventional lawn maintenance injects chemicals and pesticides into the environment while consuming lots of water and fuel that produce 5-10% of the nation’s air pollution. There are environmentally appropriate alternatives. Learn about these home and landscape care options at the January 7th lecture program.
Speakers:
Gerard Windstein, Owner, Organic Living
Gerard Windstein is the president and founder of Organic Living, The Home of EcoClean. The idea of providing access to products designed to create a safe haven to those who suffer from chemical sensitivities grew out of his own experience. Mr. Windstein started a carpet cleaning company in 1982 but quickly became severely sensitive to the chemicals commonly used in the industry. As a health necessity, Gerard began to search for an organic-based cleaner that could not only provide relief for him but for his chemical-sensitive customers as well. Mr. Windstein also discovered many factors which contribute to poor indoor air quality: toxic VOCs, new carpet, air fresheners, bacteria and smoke are just a few on the list of contributors poisoning our indoor environments. Guided by his personal experience and the knowledge he had acquired, EcoClean and the “Healthy Home Concept” was established. Organic Living- The Home of EcoClean is a family owned business for over 30 years.
Jeff and Kim Grout, Owners, Clean Air Lawn Care
Jeff is a mechanical engineer, certified energy manager and project manager with a passion for renewable energy, energy efficiency and the great outdoors. His wife Kimberly works for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University. Prior to that was a National Board Certified Elementary school teacher including 10 years in the classroom. Jeff and Kim share a love of physical activity and spend a lot of time outdoors where they witnessed the disintegrating quality of our air and water firsthand. After hearing how much pollution and noise is generated by typical lawn and garden equipment and methods, they decided to bring Clean Air Lawn Care to the Valley of the Sun to give people an emission free and chemical free option to traditional yard care. Clean Air Lawn Care is a full-service sustainable and organic yard care service for residential and commercial properties. They apply organic fertilizers and use emission-free, solar-powered mowers and equipment. The focus in on producing natural, healthy soil which then naturally support green lawns, desertscapes and gardens that are good for the environment and safe for you. Slow release organic fertilizers such as earthworm castings, humates and hydrolyzed (non-smelly) fish, have eliminated the need for harsh chemicals that are unsafe for children and pets.
Admission: The lecture series is sponsored by the Scottsdale Green Building Program. The lectures are free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.
Contact: Anthony Floyd, Green Building Program Manager, City of Scottsdale, afloyd@ScottsdaleAZ.gov,
480-312-4202.
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