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mod*mom giveaway :: green depot get started kit

green depot is an environmentally friendly alternative to big box stores. green depot is committed to educating communities, helping consumers make the best choices, + training the next generation of green workers.

here are answers from sarah beatty, ceo + mom, founder of green depot.

1) what would you like most to tell mod*mom readers about greendepot?

green depot's mission is to make "green" building products easy. green depot is a 1-stop shop for people who want to build + maintain healthy, energy efficient, sustainable living environments.

I am a mom of 2 young children, ages 2 + 4. I founded green depot in 2005, after a personal "wake up call". When I was pregnant with my 1st child I discovered mold contamination in my newly renovated home. A week before my delivery date, I was told my home may not be a safe living environment. I was shocked (and hormonal!). I had always considered myself an informed consumer. The concept that a health issue could have been the result of new construction I instigated was something I never expected. My interest has always been to create a safe + nurturing home environment for my children. At the time, there were not many resources out there. It was very difficult not only to obtain clear information but also to get the non-toxic "green"products/materials in my area. That lead me to create green depot. My hope is that green depot can be a resource for people (like me) who want to feel empowered to make the best, intelligent decisions for themselves and their families.

I want green depot to set the quality standard for green building products & services. We strive to be an authentic, trusted leader with great service from a passionate, knowledgeable, staff + high quality green products.

We currently have 4 locations that serve as informal showroom/resource centers for consumers + building professionals. We will be opening a another resource center this summer. We plan to open our 1st "retail" storefront in downtown New York City this fall. If we can do it "right", we will expand.

2) i'm interested in all the green depot products, but here are items i personally need for my home. would you like to talk about these?

toxic detection test kits

They can be very helpful in determining if there is a pre-existing issue. The good news is that there are new, more sophisticated kits coming soon that will offer a more detailed account of indoor air quality contaminants beyond "yes" and "no". I think they will be out in fall of 2008.

air + water filters

As far as air filters go, pay attention to the amount of space you expect the air filter to cover, so that you don't purchase a 200 sf filter to cover a 1000 sf area.

I had a water filter installed in my kitchen sink. Now I feel good knowing that my tap water is filtered, clean for particulates + carbon + that I am not wasting money on bottles or contributing to landfill! Flow reduction water filters are also a simple solution for conserving water.

solar attic fan

This is key. In order to keep healthy airflow in your home, provide ventilation in the right areas to keep the air flowing. Stagnant air leads to an unhealthy indoor living environment. In the summer, a solar attic fan will keep your house cooler. In the winter, it will help manage the air flow + heat loss.

eco-friendly pest control

Toxic pesticides are linked to so many health risks--why bring them into your living space? Even if they are in your garage or basement (or lawn), if you wear shoes inside your home, you can easily track the residue of those pesticides right into your living room. .

So, one of the best things one can do to improve the "health print" of your home is to leave your shoes at the door!

insulation

One of Green Depot's most popular items is Bonded Logic---insulation that is made out of pre-consumer denim "offcuts". It is an amazing "high performance" insulation--completely non-toxic, fire rated, good for sound attenuation, + environmentally a great solution for re-cycling denim "offcuts" that otherwise would have been sent to landfill. The key thing: stay away from the "pink" insulation--which contains Formaldehyde--a known carcinogen.

Some other thoughts:

When preparing a child's room use non toxic "NO VOC" paints + don't paint the week before the child will be in the room--give the room time to air out. Use water based, low volatile oil compound caulks, adhesives + sealants.

If you install a wall-to-wall carpet, make sure the adhesive used is non toxic. Wall to wall carpet is a trap for dust mites, allergens + stuff tracked in.

When it comes to wood, avoid particle board that contains formaldehyde type glues. Many wood products (ie kitchen cabinet boxes) can use this wood + it off gasses into your indoor environment. Also, if you are going to finish a floor or cabinets, use non-toxic, water based finishes/sealants.

to enter to win a green depot home cleaning kit please leave me a comment telling me your favorite earth friendly products + services at green depot.
include your email address + url, before midnight, monday may 31