Going Green, Positive for Wood Industry

By 250 News

Building “green”, something wood product manufacturers need to keep top of mind.  Jim Taggart is the editor of SAB Mag, Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine.  He says wood product manufacturers must embrace the new “green” attitude or risk becoming a victim of it.

Speaking to the CertiWood industry forum in Prince George, Taggart says when it comes to greenhouse gases emitted by transportation, buildings and industry, buildings are responsible for 36% because of the construction materials.

Taggart says the United States is already implementing a greenhouse gas reduction check list for construction and he predicts there will soon be a similar system in Canada. Although the  Canadian Green Building Council is  adopting and promoting the  principles of  “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”  (LEED) there are only  a handful of buildings which have been  constructed  in Canada that score  well  on the LEED program.

That is not to say wood is the only way to go, he says there is a building under construction in Vancouver which is concrete, steel and glass, but  much  of the materials  have  been created by recycling other materials.

In Canada, the Operations Centre for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Sydney (in the photo above) is a LEED certified building that has received platinum status.  Here is the summary of the “scorecard” for that building:

The Operations Centre, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, is the first project in Canada to achieve the LEED® Platinum certification level. This is also the first project to follow through with Public Works Canada and Government Services Canada’s commitment to LEED Gold or higher performance. The building features a striking new aesthetic, with a form and materials that sensitively respond to its local microclimate, materials and community setting. Project highlights include:
• Outstanding energy cost savings of 75% with an energy intensity savings of 49%;
• Incorporation of renewable photovoltaic electricity generation;
• Use of an ocean-based heat pump system to provide heating and domestic hot water;
• Commitment to certified green power greatly exceeding LEED Credit requirements;
• Exceptional indoor water use efficiency with over 60% reduction of potable water use, a rainwater collection system for marine washwater and sewage conveyance, and,
• Extensive application of products and practices to improve the indoor environmental quality for occupants:
    - low VOC materials and furniture,
    - green housekeeping program,
    - indoor air quality management during construction, and,
    - control of systems by individual occupants.

Taggart says if wood is promoted for its positives, then the industry will do well.  He says engineered wood is very easy to integrate with other materials, and his only criticism is that  wood is often promoted for use where it  is not always the  right material.   “Where you know it is the right application, promote it like hell and you will do well through the years to come.”

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