Midwest Environmental Advocates’ Green Office Design Features
Employee Health
Goal: Improve Work Environment to Increase Work Productivity
Environmentally Friendly Paint (no VOCs)
 We used Lifemaster 2000 Interior Eggshell paint in our office. This product is virtually odor free and contains no VOCs. It is ideal for use on interior walls and ceilings in all structures where a durable finish and low-odor paint is desired, such as in office environments. The density of this paint is 10.7 lbs/gal (1.28 kg/L) and can be applied at 400 square feet/gallon (10 square meters/L). The price for Lifemaster 2000 Interior Eggshell is $22.15 per gallon.
Cost and VOC Comparison: Home Depot’s price for similar quality paints is between $16 and $23 per gallon. The average amount of VOCs contained in standard latex paint is 150g/L. The amount of VOCs increases substantially in oil-based paints.
You can purchase Lifemaster 2000 at:
Dulux Paint Centers
Contact: Craig Allen, Manager
6909 Seybold Road
Madison, WI 53719
Phone: (608) 274-2304
Fax: (608) 274-7668
www.iciduluxpaints.com
Air filters to increase indoor air quality
Our office is located on a busy street and there was some concern about the quality of our indoor air as a result of the auto exhaust. MEA is using Hunter HEPA tech 65 Air Purification Systems to improve indoor air quality. These air filters are designed to remove smoke, pollen, dust and virtually all airborne allergens from indoor environments.
You can obtain these air filters from Too Home for $81.51/each. This price includes delivery.
Too Home
800-878-6021
www.toohome.com
Alternative transportation
MEA chose to locate its office on a East Johnson Street in Madison, Wisconsin because of its easy access to alternative transportation. East Johnson Street is on a bus line and has a bike lane. MEA employees are encouraged to reduce global warming gases by using public and alternative transportation to commute to work.
Daylighting
People thrive in naturally lit rather than artificially lit environments. "Cool Daylighting" is a low or no cost design technique that maximizes sunlight to illuminate spaces. It reduces or eliminates the need for electric lighting and reduces use of air conditioners.
We designed our office layout for maximum use of daylighting. We cut windows between existing rooms and used an open office design with divider walls that allows light to pass between individual office spaces. Except on one rainy day in fall, we have completely eliminated the need to use electric lights to illuminate work spaces during the day.
For assistance in including "cool daylighting" into your building or renovation design, contact:
Daylighting Collaborative
Abby Vogen
595 Science Drive
Madison, WI 53711
800-864-6254
daylighting@ecw.org
Clean Drinking Water
Madison’s drinking water is generally clean. However, there is a problem with lead contamination in the isthmus of Madison where we are located. When determining how to provide clean drinking water to our staff and guests, we wanted to avoid bottled water.
Bottled water, especially bottled spring water, can adversely impact local water supplies and wildlife by draining creeks and streams and exporting millions of gallons of water out of its natural watershed.
Instead of supporting the bottled water industry, we filter all our water with a cost-effective Ametek CBR2-10 single stage canister with activated five micron powdered carbon filter. This system removes 99% of all chlorine, lead, Giardia and Chryptosporidium.
To purchase and install a similar system, contact:
Jeffrey A. Havey
Havey Plumbing
608-345-1179
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