Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Pam McCurdy, 651-215-0230 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 St. Paul, Minn. - May is Home Improvement Month across the U.S. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, more than 45 percent of homeowners now say they are willing to incorporate green principles, materials and practices into their home improvement projects, especially if it translates into reduced costs, better indoor environmental quality and increased comfort. Green design experts, remodelers and product suppliers will be well-represented at this year's Living Green Expo. With the advent of such programs as Minnesota GreenStar-Certified Green Homes and Remodeling, LEED for Homes, and Minnesota Green Communities' affordable housing standards, a growing number of building industry representatives are becoming versed in green building and are eager to apply it in their projects. Exhibitors and workshops that will feature green products and services for remodeling include:
· One-stop shops for green building products
Natural Built Home of Minneapolis, and Green Building Supply of Fairfield, Iowa, are both returning to this year's Expo. Each company carries a wide variety of green products for the home and have added new ones to their inventories since exhibiting a year ago. Examples include eco-friendly countertops, tiles made from recycled wine corks, permeable pavers, bamboo cabinetry and wheat-core interior doors. · Green design services
Come learn from the experts how to make home interiors and exteriors environmentally friendly, healthy and gorgeous. Whether planning to do-it-yourself or contract out, direction and advice is available at the Expo to accomplish your goals. · Beyond the granite countertop
Environmental choices in counter tops are growing by the day. A few on display at the Expo include a concrete counter product made from recycled-glass, one made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper, and products comprised of Terrazo recycled glass and recycled plastic. · Energy efficient appliances
Did you know that refrigerators and freezers can consume one-sixth or more of the total electricity used in a household? Or that front-loading washers can use 50 percent or more less water and energy than top-loading models? Purchasing high-efficiency appliances with the Energy-Star rating can go a long way toward reducing a home's energy demands. Come see new energy-efficient products now on the market that can reduce your carbon footprint while taking a "bite" out of your energy bill! · Green remodeling contractors.
Shopping for a remodeling contractor? The Living Green Expo is a great place to connect with remodeling firms that have both knowledge and experience in green building. More green remodelers will be exhibiting at the '08 Expo than ever before in the event's history. · Green handy-people
A new service in the Twin Cities now offers homeowners a green choice when it comes to home maintenance and repairs. LettUS Services of St. Paul is committed to using materials and practices that are earth-friendly, and even rely on non-toxic, environmentally-friendly products to clean up when their work is completed! · More green home and yard products!
Recycled-wood flooring, energy-efficient windows and siding, water-conserving rain barrels (for collecting rain for lawn and garden irrigation), and nontoxic lawn care products and services are just a few of the many eco-friendly options for the home on exhibit at the upcoming Expo. · About the Living Green Expo
The Living Green Expo is a free, annual event taking place at the grandstand at the Minnesota State Fair the weekend of May 3-4, 2008. The event provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. The Living Green Expo features more than 200 exhibitors of products, services and information, along with 60 workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics. Expo attractions include music, food, demonstrations, and activities for youth and children. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency leads a collaboration of governmental, nonprofit and business organizations to produce the Living Green Expo. For more information visit www.LivingGreen.org.