Green Tip - Recycling is easy and everyone can participate. Almost everything is recyclable these days: paper, cans, bottles, ink cartridges, computers, cell phones, office furniture etc. You can get involved by contacting your local or state recycling organization to start a recycling program, and by purchasing recycled products.

A slew of valuable information is available about sustainable design,
practices, standards, trends, products, conferences, workshops, etc., at the sites below.

U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/

Comprising the nation's foremost coalition of experts from all segments of the design and construction industry, the Council works to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.  Members developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® Green Building Rating System(r), a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Green Guide for Health Care
http://www.gghc.org/about.cfm

The Green Guide for Health Care provides the healthcare sector with a voluntary, self-certifying metric "toolkit" of best practices that designers, owners, and operators can use to guide and evaluate their progress towards high performance healing environments. This sustainable design toolkit integrates enhanced environmental and health principles and practices into the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of healthcare facilities.

The American Institute of Architects
http://www.www.aia.org/sustainability

For more than 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better green design and, through such resources and access, are committed to reducing energy consumption in the built environment.

U.S. Department of Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/

The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP) mission is to facilitate the Federal Government's implementation of sound, cost-effective energy management and investment practices to enhance the nation's energy security and environmental stewardship.

2030 Challenge
http://www.architecture2030.org

The 2030 Challenge asks the global architecture and building community to adopt design targets for new buildings, developments and major renovations to meet predetermined fossil fuel, GHG-emitting and energy consumption performance standards. The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations starts at 50% and will be increased by 10% every five years until it reaches carbon neutral in 2030. These targets may be met by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.

Environmental Building News
https://www.buildinggreen.com/ecommerce/ebn.cfm