| Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This common phrase is | | | | manufacturers are evaluating not only their raw |
| practiced with a new fervor by an emerging group of | | | | materials and end product, but the processes of their |
| extreme environmentalists across the country today. | | | | production facilities. |
| Known as "freegans," this group of ecological | | | | Founded on the same concern for environmental |
| advocates and capitalist dissenters lives on the scraps | | | | health as the fanatic freegan lifestyle, commercial |
| of modern society; screaming anti-consumerism by | | | | construction is turning toward sustainable, recycled, |
| the very nature of their lifestyles. As a movement to | | | | and renewable solutions. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, |
| support the sustainability of the planet and protest | | | | recycled rubber surfacing manufacturer ECORE |
| federal statutes, freegans forage for the necessities | | | | International produces commercial and fitness flooring |
| of life, often by dumpster diving or recycling society's | | | | from old truck and car tires, saving over 80 million |
| waste to generate functional products. While they do | | | | pounds of scrap tire rubber from landfills each year. |
| not have stipulated rules or an organized structure, | | | | Many other manufacturing companies have followed |
| freegan's anti-waste principles are gaining momentum | | | | suite, establishing thriving businesses out of recycling |
| across the country as Americans begin to realize the | | | | old commercial or consumer products into new |
| imminent consequences of waste-driven lifestyles and | | | | materials. As an industry that employs extensive |
| careless industry. | | | | resources and generates millions of square feet of |
| Freegans may approach their cause with a bit of | | | | product each year, construction's potential |
| over-the-top enthusiasm by the account of an | | | | environmental impact exceeds that of consumer |
| average observer, but their voice of environmental | | | | movements or individual lifestyle decisions. |
| concern is echoed by businesses and industrial | | | | Unfortunately, not all manufacturers have begun to |
| sectors throughout the country. Among many, the | | | | embrace sustainable principles and the associated |
| construction industry has seen exponential growth in | | | | cost of "greening" production processes has lead |
| the innovative manufacture and specification of | | | | many competitive companies to avoid it altogether. |
| "green" product solutions. Manufacturers are | | | | The purchasing power of buyers will become a vital |
| producing materials from post-consumer and | | | | role in the continued evolution of green construction |
| post-industrial waste, engineering new ways to | | | | and its lasting impact on the health of the natural |
| conserve water, re-routing power to the sun, and | | | | environment. |
| introducing new ways to reclaim products after their | | | | While some may choose to impact the planet by |
| useful lives. Third-party organizations such as the | | | | foraging for food in dumpsters and boycotting |
| United States Green Building Council have emerged to | | | | industrial involvement, industry itself is making notable |
| distinguish environmental product claims and | | | | strides in the fight for environmental progress. |