Recycle and be green, but how?

In our world today, people throw around the term “green” quite often. Greenness is often through of as driving a hybrid car, reusing shopping bags, or recycling. But what about our homes? Does green architecture exist?
It is true that one could build a home out of recycled materials. Folks have done it. But really, would you trust the structural integrity of a home built from scrap metal and cork? I doubt it. I would much rather have a conventional home. However, even though I would build a “normal” home, I can support green architecture.
Consider the following: I am building a new home. I want to get the best deal on lumber, so I find a great deal and have it trucked in from a few hundred miles away rather than spending a couple extra bucks to buy local. I am the enemy squared…not only am I using trees for my lumber, but I am also using a lot of fuel to truck in my lumber. It is crucial to buy local. Not only are you stimulating the local economy, but you are going green. You hear everyone these days moaning and complaining about gas prices-well stop using so much! Instead of buying your items big chain stores where everything is trucked in, go to a local store that has locally produced products.
Another thing that I have heard about recently is about how people are opposed to mining to build homes. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but consider this: In order to construct most homes, you need gravel. Ok, so I understand you don’t want a gravel mine in your back yard. My point is this: you need the gravel either way. Either you purchase the gravel locally, promote local economy, and save fuel, or you can spend a lot of money on trucking, not promote the local economy, and have the same product.
The point that I am making with all of this ranting is the fact that many times, green architecture can be found where we least expect it. Yes, most people would think of a building made out of recycled materials with a Prius sitting out front when they think about greeness, but there are more subtle things that the average person can do to promote green architecture. The easiest thing for a consumer to do… buy local.

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For more on architecture, try this link Aia.org.

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