Stewards of Good Health and a Healthy PlanetTM
Green Building
Whether you are building a new office from scratch, remodeling an existing practice or just updating your office, you can employ green building principles.
Green Building Benefits
- Lower operating costs by reducing electrical and water use and costs
- Enhance the value of your practice by instituting green building methods and informing your clients of environmental stewardship
- Improve the indoor air quality in your practice and give your own health a boost, as well as that of your staff and patients
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What is Green Building?
Green Building is a multi-faceted approach that considers environmental costs and benefits at every stage of a building project, from planning the project to on-going energy and water use. Consider green building principles in:
- Choosing a site for a dental office
If your building has a western exposure, plant trees on the western side to reduce the heat of the afternoon sun
- Water use and waste water management
Install amalgam separators and low-flow faucets and toilets
- Energy efficiency and use
Choose Energy-Star appliances like dishwashers, washer-dryers, and turn off computers and equipment at night
- Materials
If using wood, look for woods that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and know that the materials you are choosing come from properly managed forests
- Indoor Air Quality
Select paint containing no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and reduce the amount of toxins in the air for years to come
Resources
The United States Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) is a non-profit organization that supports environmentally-sound building processes and techniques. They have 74 chapters throughout the US, in every region. They collaborate with many government agencies and assist businesses in choosing providers who employ green building methods. They are also involved in certifying business according to the LEED criteria. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” and there are four levels of LEED certification, from basic LEED to LEED platinum. Contact the EDA today and find out more about our “Green My Office” program to help you get started on creating your green dental practice.
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Eco-Tip
Installing energy-efficient flourescent lighting saves 2645 kilowatts of electrical energy and reduces CO2 emissions by 1375 pounds per year in the average dental office.
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"When I opened my new practice, we considered every opportunity to reduce waste. Making the switch to cloth sterilization products was surprisingly simple. Our patients truly love it, and appreciate our efforts!"
-Dr. Preston Brown, DDS
San Francisco, CA
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