When builder Mike Scarlett signed on to participate in the HBA of Greater Dallas Green Built Parade of Homes, which debuted in September, he had never so much as built an Energy Star house. But he rose to the challenge, hiring a consultant to help him decode such eco-measures as spray-foam insulation, dual-flush toilets, and the use of recycled materials. Scarlett, owner of Scarlett Custom Homes in Frisco, Texas, was one of seven builders who showcased Parade homes that feature key building techniques from the Green Built North Texas program. The new certification program, scheduled for rollout in early 2008, is a regional adaptation of NAHBís Model Green Home Building Guidelines and requires builders to implement a minimum of 38 components from six categories, ranging from energy and water efficiency to recycling and indoor air quality. More
Roof tear-offs account for an estimated 11 million tons or about 53 million cubic yards of landfill waste each year. And, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, asphalt shingles represent up to 10% of residential jobsite waste. These are all big enough figures to stimulate developing markets for recycled roofing shingles. More
