Everyday Green Home

Today we’re gabbing with Tony Pratte about easy and low-cost ways to warm up the cold spots in your home. The idea used to be if you wanted to cut your utility bills you dropped the thermostat and put on a sweater. But not anymore.

Air Sealing and Insulation

Air is always going to want to go from hot to cold so it’s important to seal all the joints in your home to prevent airflow and moisture getting through the seams. A proper home seal is like zipping your down coat.

Windows and Doors

We need views, we need natural light, but we’re always balancing this trade off so that we’re taking from the efficiency of the wall construction. Make sure your windows are keeping as much heat inside and are properly sealed and that you have the right amount for the space you’re in.

Attics and Basements

Make sure your basements and attics are properly insulated since these are the most commonly overlooked areas for insulation. Using spray foam insulation or some other option is a great choice to keep the heat from escaping these two areas.  Many utilities companies offer a free energy audit to make sure your home is running as efficiently as it can.

Heating Units

The simplest thing is to make sure all your duct work is sealed so the warm air isn’t wasted. Next is to make sure that your heating system is the right size for your home. One of the most common mistakes is having an oversized unit.

Appliances

Because your fridge is constantly running, having an energy efficient one can make the biggest impact. We’ve come a long way in the last 20 years, so even if you don’t chose an Energy Star appliance, just buying a new fridge can make a huge difference.

It’s easier than you think to warm up your home, just click over to some of the products mentioned in the episode in the resources.

Subscribe on iTunes and get the show notes on The Green Gab Podcast. Get the gab with us as we share what we’ve done, as well as tips for greening up your home, your job, your family and your life! Get in on the gab for why green matters.

 

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website!

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Today, we’re gabbing with Tony Pratte, the director of builder relations at the Sound Room.

We’re talking about how a connected home is a great way to control your energy use, be environmentally aware, and increase safety for homeowners.

These devices also make great gift options for others or yourself.

What Is a Connected Home?

A connected home includes all of the different devices used in a home, all of which are connected via a hub or Wi-Fi. That may include a security system, door locks, thermostat, lighting, shades, and irrigation, just to name a few things. All of these components communicate with each other through their connection to a central control system, a processor.

A connected home differs slightly from a smart home. A smart home is technology enabled through a variety of apps. This is the first step, and a connected home is the next step. With a connected home, there’s one app that controls all of the home’s devices. Plus, they can all be voice enabled through systems such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple’s HomePod. Essentially, the smart home is what it is; the connected home is what it does.

Connected Homes Increase Safety

While the younger generation may be more attuned to the idea of a connected home due to its cool factor, it can also create a safer environment for older individuals. For instance, if a senior wants to remain in their home and be independent, having a connected home increases not only convenience but safety. Lights can come on, motion can be tracked, and alerts can be sent. And with a voice-activated system, when an elderly person falls, they can speak to the system and tell it, ask for help. The same convenience and independence can be enjoyed by those with disabilities.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University

Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.

Connect with Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

Today, we’re gabbing with Elizabeth Allen, a safe beauty advocate and toxin-free educator. She is passionate about educating women about safer alternatives for healthier personal care products.

The products we choose to use not only affect us. They affect the people around us, our community, and the world. During the holiday season, many of us give and get lotions and potions, so this is a perfect time to look instead to healthier personal care products.

Why Healthier Personal Care Products Matter It’s important to remember that our skin is our biggest organ, and what we put on it is absorbed. Studies show that 60% up to 100% of what we put on our skin goes right into the bloodstream, with no filters. What you use in your daily routines matters to your overall health.

Europe has banned more than 1,300 harmful chemicals from everyday products. The United States Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, has only banned 11. That means we need to be very diligent in what we purchase and use in and on our bodies. Unfortunately, our government isn’t always looking out for us.

Don’t Be Fooled by Greenwashing Given the minimal regulations on packaging and ingredients in the US skincare industry, companies are likely to claim what will help the product sell—regardless of the truth behind it. The packaging may highlight “good ingredients” and not mention the harmful additives. In fact, they may even lure you in with pictures of flowers or natural surroundings. As a smart consumer with an eye on healthy ingredients, you need to review the ingredients yourself.

Ingredients to Avoid in Healthier Personal Care Products How can you know which ingredients are good and which are bad? Elizabeth has a rule of thumb, and she consistently avoids three specifics products. They are:

Fragrance Elizabeth refers to fragrance as the f-word for good reason. Did you know there can be up to 3,000 different chemicals hidden behind that fragrance? Companies don’t have to list them because they are protected as trade secrets. Unless the product specifically states that it uses essential oils, it’s a smart idea to avoid anything that’s blanketed as fragrance.

Phenoxyethanol It is often suggested to avoid ingredients you can’t pronounce, and one of those is phenoxyethanol. This is a preservative that is commonly used in brands that are marketed as natural and safe. The truth is that it can cause allergic reactions, eczema, and hives. When ingested, it can lead to central nervous system damage, diarrhea, and vomiting. You’ll find it in many bubble bath brands targeted to kids.

Talc Commonly used in cosmetics from baby powder and eyeshadow to feminine hygiene products, talc is a lung irritant and has been linked to organ system toxicity. There is even a concern that talc has been associated with cancer.

Start with Baby Steps It can be very overwhelming to think that the products in your home might be causing you and your family harm. Your first response may be to trash everything in the house, but that can be costly. Instead, as you run out of a product and go to replace it, look for healthier personal care products. Scan the labels; avoid the big-bad ingredients; and seek to improve your health.

And as you look for holiday gift ideas, be sure to read the ingredients. These days, healthier options are available at every store. You don’t need to shop only at specific places to find great options. Read the labels at Walmart, Target, and the grocery store. If you shop online, look at those ingredients.

Take the first step to a happier, healthier you. You’ll be glad you did.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Today, we are gabbing with Kathy Curran, who works with us, and we are talking about the joy of greener gift giving during this season of giving.

Kathy was inspired by her adult daughter, who is focused on being green at home since starting her own family. At the holidays last year, her daughter asked for “no stuff,” but you have to open presents at the holidays, right? So Kathy started considering how to change the way they do the holidays and created an opportunity for greener gift giving.

Greener Gift Giving = Rethinking

When considering how to reduce your impact when it comes to gifts, it really comes down to shifting your thinking. Many people are past the idea that stuff matters; instead, they want experiences. Some ideas of experiences include:

• Annual membership to the national parks or area museums.
• Season tickets to the local theatre.
• Gift certificate to AirBnB.

Keep Local

If stuff is important to the people on your list, you can keep it local. When you shop locally, more money is kept local. On average, 48% of what you spend locally stays within the community, as compared to 14% of purchases as chain stores.

Local consignment and secondhand stores tick off two boxes: keeping money local and recycling goods.

Look to the Internet

In a pinch for greener gift giving? Try an ebook or audio book. There’s no need for anything to be shipped, and you’re still providing a type of experience. And if you’re not sure what the gift receiver would prefer, a gift card allows them to choose the perfect book.

Make Greener Gift Giving at Home

Everyone appreciates handmade gifts. Whether it’s your favorite cookie recipe or a hand-knitted sweater, something that is made with love is warmly received. Not personally talented? Gather favorite family recipes or record an older family member’s stories for the next generation. You’ll combine greener gift giving with legacy, and that’s always a perfect fit.

Resources

White LED Lights

Colored LED Lights

Gifts for Friends

Unique Journal with Laser-cut cover

Food Wraps – for lunches and food storage

Tablecloth – made entirely of recycled bottles

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Host of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Today, we are gabbing with Tyson Taussig with Lighting Inc. about LED lighting. LED stands for light-emitting diodes, and these LEDs were originally used for computers, cars, and other electronic components. It’s only been recently that LEDs have become commonly used for home and office lighting. And the benefits of switching to LED lighting are worth taking a look.

The Benefits of LED Lighting

Tyson explored a number of benefits of transitioning your home or business from incandescent to LEDs. Here are the highlights:

1. LEDs Are Available in a Wide Selection Just a decade ago, you’d be hard pressed to find the kind of LED bulb you needed. Plus, they were expensive. Today, LEDs are available in even specialty bulbs, and they are priced as low as $5 per bulb.

2. They’re Energy Efficient Because LEDs are so much smaller in comparison with other light sources, they put off much less heat. Since they are more energy efficient, LED bulbs don’t need to be changed as frequently. They can last 5–10 years, meaning not only are you no longer changing bulbs, but you’re not spending the money or putting old bulbs in landfills. That’s good for homeowners as well as facility and maintenance teams, and of course, for the environment as well.

3. They Look Amazing When you switch to LEDs, you’ll notice a cleaner light source. Switching to LED lighting can make a big difference in your home’s décor.

4. It’s Easy to Switch If you can change a light bulb, you can start switching to LED lighting. It’s just that simple.

When Should You Consider Switching to LED Lighting? Some people think that, if they are still using incandescent bulbs in their homes, they’ll just wait until they burn out to replace them. Since LEDs last up to five times longer than their counterparts, every time you turn on an older bulb, you’re actually wasting money.

Instead of waiting, you can realize significant savings by switching to LED lighting now. According to The Simple Dollar, over a 23-year period, the total cost of an incandescent bulb will be $201, versus $48 for CFL bulbs and $38 for LED lighting. If you change now, you’re essentially putting $163 back in your pocket over the next two decades.

Essential Oils for a Cozy Home

In addition to the health benefits associated with essential oils, they can help create a warm, cozy home. They can take the place of air fresheners, candles, and other canned scents. Just a drop of two of essential oils can be added to water in a diffuser, making it a cozy home and a healthy environment.

Plus, ailments disappear by getting rid of those artificial scents. That’s because we absorb all of the chemicals in them through our pores and by breathing them in. With essential oils, however, you continue to breathe clean air—while still enjoying lovely scents. And no chemicals.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Host of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Do you know what you’re bringing into your home and how those chemicals are affecting your health, cognitive ability, and endocrine system? Most of us don’t even think about it. But many of the products you use at home are doing your family a disservice.

Recently, there’s been a movement toward plant-based science and the medicinal nature of our foods and herbs, and it all ties into essential oils. Since the beginning of time, we’ve lived off the land. And essential oils are of the land. Whether we ingest them, use them topically, or diffuse them, we’re not putting anything foreign into our bodies. The body welcomes essential oils, which do an incredible job of boosting the immune system and helping to fight off free radicals. Truly, they are an incredible wellness tool.

What makes essential oils better than just using the native herb or plant? As Rhonda points out, herb must be dead and dried to be of use. Alternatively, essential oils are extracted from the plants in a steam distillation, while the plant is still alive. They are truly the essence of the plant. And that means the antioxidant level is much higher. It’s kind of like comparing canned green beans with fresh.

Essential oils are supplements. They can be used every day to help with the endocrine, upper-respiratory, and digestive systems.

Essential Oils for a Cozy Home

In addition to the health benefits associated with essential oils, they can help create a warm, cozy home. They can take the place of air fresheners, candles, and other canned scents. Just a drop of two of essential oils can be added to water in a diffuser, making it a cozy home and a healthy environment.

Plus, ailments disappear by getting rid of those artificial scents. That’s because we absorb all of the chemicals in them through our pores and by breathing them in. With essential oils, however, you continue to breathe clean air—while still enjoying lovely scents. And no chemicals.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Host of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Gabbing with Angela Moore, the facilities and sustainability coordinator for the Missouri Historical Society. She works to create more sustainable programs and facilitate more sustainable initiatives for the Historical Society. As Angela pointed out, it’s important to preserve history and culture, and to do that you have to preserve the earth so it’s here for many generations to come.

One of the Historical Society’s goals is to make history accessible to all. Pair that with their core value of being good stewards and advocates for sustainability, and it just makes sense to look to the past and the future. The Society’s focus permeates all of the areas under their umbrella, including the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and Library & Research Center. In fact, the new Soldiers Memorial Military Museum is expecting a LEED certification, so the Society is really putting into practice their goals and values.

Sustainability at Missouri Historical Society

During her time with the Society, Angela has effectively brought their sustainable actions to the forefront of the community, showcasing the impact those efforts are having.

The Missouri Historical Society also participates in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge and has been involved since its early days. In fact, in 2017, they won the St. Louis Green Business Challenge award, champion level. That win invigorated the Missouri Historical Society to do more and share more.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University

Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.

Connect with Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

“The whole idea of green can be done one choice at a time” which is basically what Marla’s book Living Green Effortlessly: Simple Choices for a Better Home, is about. Marla and Tony agree that it’s not just about radical “tree-hugger” kind of stuff but everyday simple choices. Tony wants folks to know that making simple changes can greatly affect the environment and the quality of life for decades to come.

“Green,” or “going green” is a catch-all term that has come to mean being more mindful and conscientious about things you can do to make better homes, better buildings, better lives and a better future. For some “going green” can be overwhelming as they are not sure what to do or where to start. Marla encourages people to use more of a “green as you go” approach, an incremental green course of action rather than trying to paint your whole life green all at once. Tony sees it as a step by step lifestyle change, somewhat like a “paint by number” project where one decision builds on another with lots of shades of green.

The fact is that a green home is simply a holistic approach to building and remodeling. Beginning with a basic set of values and priorities helps builds a template from which every project can then be approached. From painting one wall in a bathroom to replacing the facet in the kitchen or purchasing a new area rug for the hallway, if you know your priorities you can make better decisions. You can paint by numbers in as many shades of green as you desire, just start somewhere to invest in the future for yourself, your family, community and the world.

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University

Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.

Connect with Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

Theresa Garza joins us to gab about the HERO program, a way to help home and property owners make energy efficient home improvements and help finance them in a new way.  The HERO program is launching in Missouri in 2017 and utilizes PACE financing. PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy is a way to finance energy efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations.  The HERO program helps homeowners and property owners get approved for PACE financing and connects them with qualified HERO contractors to perform the work.  The HERO Program can be used for heating and cooling systems, roofing, energy-efficient doors and windows, and solar.  

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University

Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.

Connect with Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

Millennials are paying close attention to the stories behind the brands, companies, manufacturers and builders they patronize. Before purchasing, consumers today are more apt to research a company’s values and how those values affect the way they conduct business. Millennials tend to choose products, brands and businesses that are involved in the betterment of struggling communities, global social justice issues and the environmental impact of production.

Marla recalls an article titled, “Millennial Women have Strong Purchasing Power. What Influences It?” that talks about the collective purchasing power of millennial women that is reaching a staggering 170 billion in size. The article states the brand story behind a product is extremely important as 41% of those surveyed claimed to know who founded the company and 47% claimed to know the story of origin behind their favorite brand. More importantly, 45% say a primary influencer for them is the brand’s sustainability practices. Today’s young purchasers know how to do their research and are not afraid to leave honest reviews. They also have the power of the internet behind them which can cause a bad review to go viral in a blink of an eye.

In today’s market, it’s vital to let the public know how a business benefits the community, how they help and protect the planet and what they are doing to relieve suffering in the world. Tony states that “marketing is not selling, it’s educating, it’s laying the foundation for choice and change,” that’s why letting the public know about a company’s green practices and commitment to sustainability must be highly publicized. One way companies are getting the word out is through a website called GreenBiz that publishes information on corporate sustainability. Large companies readily participate in these types of websites as they understand they must market to the demand for green sustainable homes and products.

Everyone can do something. Simple things you can do in your office is adding plastic, aluminum and paper recycling containers, purchasing energy star office equipment and using LED light bulbs. If you’re in the building trades you might think of providing for on-sight recycling of construction waste, as well as re-using and repurposing construction waste. In the home, a good place to start is by purchasing toilette paper made from recycled paper, installing control and automation technology that turn lights, heating and cooling systems on and off at certain times of the day. The important thing is to walk your own talk through everyday green choices and to follow the millennials lead by making purchases from green sustainable companies who care about humanity and the planet.

Now that’s walking the talk!  

Read more at The Green Home Coach Website! The Green Gab Podcast Links Bar:  Subscribe via iTunes |   Subscribe via RSS Feed |  Facebook Page |  Twitter Page |  Stitcher Page Connect with The Green Gab Podcast Hosts:

— Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn

 Green Gab: About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:

Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.

Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.

Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com

Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University

Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.

Connect with Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn