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.”

Rubber Bark™ is going to be on TV!

Yes, you read it right, Rubber Bark™ will be spotlighted on the PBS show Curiosity Quest Goes Green! This is not the first time Rubber Bark™ has appeared on TV (more on that after the jump) however we are very excited to have them visit our Ballico facility and spread (no pun intended) the word about Rubber Bark™ and environmentally friendly landscape products. The air date is still being decided, but the nice folks, including the host Joel Greene,  will be at the Rubber Bark™ plant to film in October. Until then check out the show's website.

New photos on the web

Hooray! Rubber Bark™ now has its own Flickr account! Click on the link to check out the many ways Rubber Bark™ is used. 

New building codes in California coming soon

Starting in 2011, California will lead the nation in promoting and instilling new building codes that have high green standards, making all new construction more environmentally friendly. This is a big deal, and Rubber Bark™ understands its part in the new ideas. Here is a news release with the details:

New Building Codes Propel California’s Green Construction Standards

 BALLICO, CA (September 15, 2010) — A new mandatory green building standards code will be implemented in California starting in January 2011, pioneering green construction and integration for the rest of the nation.

 Moisture-sensing irrigation systems for large landscape projects will be required, as will a reduction of waste going into landfills by 50 percent. Rubber Bark™, a recycled rubber mulch made from California’s tires, is in a unique position to provide a product that both reduces landfill waste and retains soil moisture levels.

 "This is something no other state in the country has done - integrating green construction practices into the very fabric of the construction code," said Tom Sheehy, Acting Secretary of the California State and Consumer Services Agency and Chair of the Building Standards Commission. 


 In addition to decreasing landfill waste, Rubber Bark™ is a cost-effective way to comply with CALGreen standards, while keeping the quality of beautiful landscaping.

A customer that says it all

Thank you to Tracy from Turlock for sending us this letter of appreciation. We appreciate you as well! Here is her letter: 

Rob (Rubber Bark's CFO),  

 We came this morning and picked up a 1,000 pound bed load of the Redwood Rubber Bark™ loose. We were happy that you were able to provide us this product without using additional packaging materials for less of a carbon footprint.  It makes us feel good to purchase products that support our local economy and job market, while helping to reduced our local landfills by purchasing your product.

Your employee Pedro that loaded our truck was friendly and VERY skillful.

Thank you, 

Tracy 

Turlock

We love how Tracy mentions her decreased carbon footprint and using local products to help stimulate the local economy. Both are important for future commerce!

Our Redwood Rubber Bark™

Did you know?

That Rubber Bark™ is the recommended choice for recycled tire products on the Stanislaus County environmental resources page? Take a look, there is also a good yes/no chart comparing rubber to wood mulch.

More updates coming this week, along with some exciting news from the other side of the pond!

Stay tuned!

Recess Time!

A new press release is out about playground safety and playground related injuries. Most injuries could be avoided with a sufficient amount of padding when children fall from playground equipment. 

Presently, most playgrounds still use sand, cement or wood mulch (which doesn't have the flexibility rubber has) as playground flooring. This needs to change! It's so much easier and safer to put in rubber mulch. Check out the release about details on playground fall heights and other tips for a safer playground. 

Less Playground Injuries With Recycled Rubber Flooring

BALLICO, CA (September 7, 2010)— With most schools back in full swing students will once again be playing on playground equipment at recess, which, in turn leads to an increased likelihood in playground injuries due to falls. However, schools and parents with home playgrounds are catching on to safe flooring alternatives to grass, sand, or wood mulch.

Inorganic mulches, such as Rubber Bark™ cushion playground tumbles better than wood mulch or hard surfaces because rubber is inherently a shock absorbing material. Also, rubber mulch doesn’t break down like wood mulch so the safety factor is maintained from year to year without having to add more material.

According to The Consumer Product Safety Commission wood mulch should be at least 12” thick, while rubber only needs to be 6” for the same fall height.

Fall height test results certify that Rubber Bark™ installed and maintained at a 4” depth meets the ASTM standard for Impact Attenuation of surface systems under and around playground equipment from a height of 9’.

In California and other states, The CPSC estimates that there are more than 200,000 injuries every year linked with playground structures. Studies for a CPSC report conclude that most of the injuries occur when a child falls from the equipment onto the ground.

Rubber Bark™ understands the importance of child safety.  Other measures to decrease the likelihood of playground falls include:

-       Protective surfacing should extend at least six feet in all directions

-       Structures, if more than 30 inches high, should be spaced 9 feet apart

-       Remove tripping hazards such as large rocks and tree stumps

-       Spaces such as openings in guardrails and between ladder rungs should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches

(Source: The Consumer Product Safety Commission)