Within seven years, NeoCon East has established itself as the “premier design exposition for commercial interiors on the East Coast.” The annual exhibition, held Oct. 28-29 in Baltimore, has more than 250 exhibitors showcasing new products, innovative design and building resources. An underlying theme of sustainable products, practices and industry providers at NeoCon is further reflected in the NeoCon seminar sessions. The General Service Administration-sponsored convention, features select 60-minute seminars free to government employees and students!
One textile company at NeoCon, recognized for its continued sustainability practices, is Bentley Prince Street. The companies “Mission Zero” states its continued “commitment to eliminate any negative impact its company may have on the environment by the year 2020.” Bentley Prince Street is the first carpet manufacturing facility to be LEED EB-certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). All of Bentley Prince Street's products meet the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institutes, Green Label Plus test protocol. The test measures a product’s volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. People spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, making the quality of indoor air especially important. The United USGBC awards LEED innovation points when climate neutral product standards are met. In other words, product standards at Bentley Prince Street are such, that zero green house gas emissions result from its Cool Carpet product.
Another company that is conscious of sustainability practices is STONE SOURCE. Vegas Rock from the decorative surface distributor is the world's first natural stone to receive Silver Cradle-to-Cradle Certification. Vegas Rock won the 2009 Best of NeoCon Silver Award in the surfacing materials category. Vegas Rock is made with zero waste in a multitude of colors. The ecologically-conscious Vegas Rock can be used in residential, commercial and water saving landscape applications. STONE SOURCE also won the 2009 Best of NeoCon Silver Award in the Wall Treatments category for its product, Textured Reclaimed Wood. Textured Reclaimed Wood is salvaged from deconstructed buildings while STONE SOURCE's Engineered Reclaimed Wood Flooring is manufactured with low-VOC, formaldehyde-free adhesive.
As companies and home owners continue the repair, retrofit and the green building modernization of built environments, companies like Bentley Prince Street, STONE SOURCE and GreenandSave.com, can assist commercial and residential clients in achieving their buildings' desired level of sustainability. GreenandSave.com can help improve home energy efficiency while also saving consumers money in energy costs. Using formulas such as the Home Heating Index, Base Load Electric, and Base Water Usage, GreenandSave.com provides complete Home Efficiency Reports, Return on Investment Guides and other incentives.
