Environmental-friendly advances in the ways we that build, architectural design, and the materials that we use.
Construction
Mega-Dam in Peru’s Amazonian Rainforest Halted by Indigenous Peoples’ Opposition
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In what is being internationally heralded as a victory for the world’s indigenous peoples, Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, has announced its withdrawal from the planned development of the Tambo-40 Hydroelectric Dam on the Tambo River in the Peruvian Amazon, due to the strong opposition by potentially affected indigenous communities.
In a letter [1] newly obtained by the Rainforest Foundation, Odebrecht stated to the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines on October 24th that after completing preliminary studies, the company decided to withdraw from the project to “respect the opinion of local populations”, referring directly to the more than 14,000 indigenous peoples of the Ashaninka communities who have opposed the construction of dams on the Ene and Tambo Rivers, fearing the loss of the 73,000 hectares of forest and farmland that would have been destroyed if construction had gone ahead. [2] Read More »
Empire Today Launches Carpet & Padding Recycling Program For A Greener Tomorrow
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A Leading National Provider in the Installed Home Improvement and Home Furnishings Industry Launches Recycling Program in Select Service Areas
Northlake, Ill.- Empire Today, a national leader in the installed home improvement and home furnishings industry, announces today that it has taken a major step towards minimizing the environmental impact of their day-to-day operations by participating in the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) and initiating a recycling program. Through a partnership with CLEAR (Carpet Landfill Elimination And Recycling), 100% the carpet and padding removed by our residential, small business and commercial installers that can be recycled, will be recycled. In first quarter 2011, Empire piloted the new program in select service areas. Since then, over six million pounds of carpet and padding have been recycled. The program is currently operational in over 25 of Empire’s service areas and will continue expanding throughout the remainder of the year. Read More »
UO adopts the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development
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New standards require net zero increase in energy use and LEED Gold certification for new projects
EUGENE, Ore. — The University of Oregon has adopted sustainability standards that will cap energy use from new development, resulting in a net-zero increase in energy use despite continued construction on its 295-acre campus. New projects will be required to meet LEED Gold certification and must produce 35 percent greater energy savings than the state’s building code requires. Read More »
