LEED credits and how to earn 'em using Rubber Bark™

A couple of posts back it was mentioned on this blog that California is leading the nation in green building projects, jobs, and general infrastructure.  Currently, California is second, behind Mississippi, for home projects obtaining LEED credits. Below is a press release about the LEED rating system and how to earn credits using Rubber Bark™.

California Paves the Way For Green Projects

 Greening New and Existing Construction Using LEED and Rubber Bark™

 BALLICO, CA (October 7, 2010) —An estimated $12.5 billion in GDP and 230,000 new jobs from LEED-related projects are predicted in the next four years in California, making it one of the “greenest” states in the nation. According to the USGBC (The United States Green Building Council) Green Jobs Study that came out last month, the number of projects in California has increased by 300 percent in the past few years.

 Environmentally friendly building material companies such as Rubber Bark™ understands the importance for new construction, as well as improvement to existing buildings to gain LEED certification. Using Rubber Bark™ offers an opportunity for green projects to earn LEED credits.

 According to the USGBC, “The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Systemrate new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings according to their environmental attributes and sustainable features.”

 A project team may earn LEED credits by utilizing Rubber Bark™ in three different ways, including a “materials and resources” point as Rubber Bark™ is made from 100 percent recycled tires. Another point may be earned under the “materials and resources category if the project site is within 500 miles of Rubber Bark’s manufacturing facility in Ballico, CA. And lastly, a “water efficient landscape credit” will be given for those projects that incorporate Rubber Bark™ into their landscape design, reducing the amount of water needed for maintaining a beautiful landscape.

 “We are thrilled to see projects earning LEED certification in California, that’s why we offer a variety of ways to gain credits for projects,” said CEO of Rubber Bark™ Jana Nairn. “We want companies and organizations to start green practices and continue them through their project’s completion.”

 LEED is the standard for US green building design. The October 2002 edition of Health Facilities Management noted that, “LEED has become the common benchmark for sustainability.”