The NonprofitCenters Network

There are many resources available now on how to "green" a building, but sometimes it can be difficult to know what's out there. To help you navigate the options, here is a list of useful websites, with descriptions of what you can find on each.

From The NonprofitCenters Network

• Why Green? Checklist for Environmentally Responsible Design and Construction
• (37) Easy Things You Can Do To Make Your Office Greener
• An Introduction to LEED
• The Greener You Are, The Cleaner You Are

General Green Building

www.usgbc.org: The U.S. Green Building Council's website contains everything you need to know about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. It includes a description of LEED certification processes, links to local chapters, conference updates, and resources. Some resources are members-only, but many LEED resources are accessible to everyone.

www.thegreenguide.com: This is a magazine by National Geographic. You can pay for a subscription, or read many of the articles online for free. There are articles about green products, green practices to adopt, green home-improvements, health and the environment studies, and health risks posed by some products and practices. Archives of past editions are also available, including Spanish-language versions.

www.globalgreen.org: Information on this site includes: Green Building Cities and Schools, Climate Change and Energy, Water, Recycling, and a Green Building Resource Center. The section on green buildings and energy efficiency lists a wide array of resources and links.

www.buildinggreen.com: An independent publishing company out of Brattleboro, Vermont.  This group brings its members accurate and up-to-date green design information and research through publications, case studies, a green products directory, and numerous other online tools.

www.builditgreen.org:  A nonprofit membership organization based out of Berkeley, that works to promote energy and resource efficient building practices within the state of California.  This group works with stakeholder groups in the housing industry to encourage the adoption of green building practices.  The website also offers a green products database as well as information on green building events, workshops, and GreenPoint Rating, a California-specific third party certification.

www.greenroundtable.org:  This site is the home of The Green RoundTable, Inc. (GRT), an independent nonprofit organization based out of Boston, MA whose mission is to mainstream green building and sustainble practices in hopes of becoming obsolete.  Through policy advocacy, outreach education, informational events, and other strategies, this organization works with major building stakeholders to work towards a goal of making building green the standard.

www.greensource.construction.com:  A collaboration program between seperate companies who meet frequently to create and maintain this website and its complementary magazine Green Source.  Both offer information about green building practices, products, technology, news, case studies, and the latest in green resources.  The art, editorial, and production staffs from BuildingGreen, and the architects and engineers from McGraw Hill Construction meet face to face regularly to bring their readers this award winning magazine and website.

www.sustainablebusiness.com: This website provides up-to-date news and networking services from around the globe to help green companies grow.  Supporting businesses from all sectors, including energy, organics, building, and investing, SustainableBusiness.com offers a breadth of information on green investing and stocks, green jobs, events, and other network connections.

www.ecodesign.org: Founded by Sim Van der Ryn in 1969, The Ecological Design Institute was one of the first established nonprofit organization that works to apply a whole systems approach and the principles of eco-design and sustainable living to research and education.  Working with their local community through schools, organizations, and businesses, the EDI works to promote and support a more livable future through educational workshops.

www.energy.gov: The U.S. Department of Energy site includes sections for consumers, educators, students, and employees. Resources include energy-saving tips, improving energy efficiency in buildings and homes, and the Energy Star program. The "Learn More" section of each page has even more resources and links.

www.energystar.gov: This site is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. There are descriptions of the Energy Star certification program, lists of certified products, and tips for heating and cooling efficiently. Also available: green building resources, studies about energy use, case studies, tops for developing a green building policy, and views of Energy Star qualified new homes.

www.greenmaven.com: A search engine that focuses on green conscious websites offering an unending amount of information connecting you to the green world.

Consumer and Recycling Information

www.greencitizen.com: Green Citizen, an electronics recycling company, picks up old electronics from businesses and special drop-off sites. They recycling items on a per-item fee basis and provide a list of partner businesses. Under the "Learn More" tab, the Resource Center has relevant laws, useful websites, recommended readings, and kid's resources.

www.greenopia.com: Greenopia is an extensive directory of local (and national) eco-friendly listings within and around Los Angeles and San Francisco.  With a one to four leaf rating system, you can browse this book (and website) to find only the most sustainable businesses with sections ranging from Art & Leisure, Fashion & Beauty, Food & Drinks, to Party Planning, Eco Events, and Shopping Picks.  This companion website also features forum discussions, and other resources such as "How to be Greener Guide," and "Ask the Greenopia Team."

www.greenseal.org: A nonprofit organization that uses science based certification to transform the marketplace through the promotion of environmentally responsible products and services.  Green Seal offers advise and assistance to manufacturers and consumers in order to help individuals and business make more informed decisions about the materials and operations we invest in.

www.thegreenoffice.com: A website dedicated to the search for post consumer recycled office supplies and products.  With the Co-op America Business Seal of Approval, Bay Area Green Business Program Certified, CERES Annual Sustainability Reporting, and Green House Gas Emissions Offsetting, this website reports on the greener choices for office supplies with a "Green Screen" labeling system that ranks the green-ness of every product.

www.sfenvironment.org: SF Environment is an organization that works to promote a healthier and more sustainable future for San Francisco through innovative, approachable and wide-ranging environmental programs.  Find policy and recycling information, news updates, and volunteer opportunities at this website.

www.stopwaste.org: A public agency operated by three Alameda County organizations: Waste Management Authority, Source Reduction, and Recycling Board.  This website offers a host of materials related to recycling, composting, landscaping, and building as well as business, consumer, and local community resources.

www.earth911.org: Earth 911 is a website with information about recycling, energy-saving, household items, and other green/sustainable subjects. There are also current news articles that relate to the subject.

www.greenbiz.ca.gov: This is the site of the Bay Area Green Business Program. There are lists of products, services and organizations, local resources and partners, and members of the California Green Business Network. Also includes links to regional, state, and national resources and organizations, and industry-specific resources and professional associations. The Becoming Green page has useful tips and resources.

www.coopamerica.org: Co-op America, an organization that works to harness economic power to promote change, runs this site. Includes National Green Pages, activism articles, fair trade guides, a resource section, and a hot topics section with articles and resources.

www.ase.org: This is the site for the Alliance to Save Energy. There is information for consumers, educators, policy makers, and energy professionals. Some features: program lists and descriptions, international energy use, topics (including buildings, insulation, lighting, and federal energy use), and quick facts and reports.

www.compostguide.com: An introduction to and operation guide to making your own compost.

Green Cleaning Products:

www.ecologicsolutions.com: EcoLogic Solutions� specializes in non-toxic, non-polluting, and non-hazardous cleaning products for the building maintenance, restaurant, and hospitality operations industries.  This group is the leader in bulk eco-friendly commercial cleaners, promoting worker safety with a dedication to the environment.

www.ecover.com: Specializing in eco-friendly household cleaners, Ecover� is one of the industry's leading competitors and has won many national and international awards recognizing excellence in environmental management of their products.  Ecover� is not only environmentally responsible in their manufacturing policy but also as an integral part of their business operations.  You can find each product online along with information for each about their personal and environmental advantages, instructions for use, and stats about their packaging and how it can be properly recycled.

www.greenworkscleaners.com: A new line of natural cleaners from Clorox� marking the first time that a major consumer products company has marketed a green line.  GreenWorks� is being endorsed by the Sierra Club who will display their logo on the bottle, marking also a first for this nonprofit to give its approval to a household cleaner.

www.methodhome.com:  Method manufactures non-hazardous and all-natural cleaning products for the home.  They come in asthetically pleasing 100% post-consumer recycled content bottles and are naturally derived, biodegradable cleaning formulas. 

www.planetinc.com: Specializing in 100% biodegradable household cleaning products, this group worked from the planning stages with SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) to ensure that their products would meet the highest possible environmental standards.  Look for information about their products, packaging, and efforts in environmental and social responsibility on this company website.

www.seventhgeneration.com: Seventh Generation is one of the country's leaders in brand non-toxic and environmentally safe household cleaners.  This group has been working since 1995 to alter the present market of home cleaning products through their applying their philosophies and dream of restoring and protecting the earth for all future generations.

www.shaklee.com: Certainly among the original companies to introduce and dedicate themselves to the manufacturing of environmentally safe and healthy household cleaning products.  Founded in 1956, this group has a long long history of achievements, awards, sponsorship, and collaboration in socially and environmentally responsible outreach.  Check out their site to learn more about Shaklee� household cleaners as well as their other lines of environmentally safe products.

www.simplegreen.com: This line from Sunshine Makers, In. is a line of biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-abrasive cleaners for the home and industry.  All products in their Simple Green� line are free of ammonia,bleach, citrus oils or extracts, or petroluem distillates.  You can find safety and spec sheets on every single product as well as extensive information about the company's environmentally responsible policies on this website.

Calculating One's Ecological Footprint:

www.myfootprint.org: This is a link from the Earthday Network page (www.earthday.net). Fill out the form to get a rough estimate of your ecological footprint.

www.climatecrisis.net: This is the website from "An Inconvenient Truth." You can buy the DVD, view the science and facts cited in the movie (and the sources they came from), learn how to take action, join the virtual march, get energy-saving tips, and calculate your carbon footprint using a more detailed form.

www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosts this site. There are resources about greenhouse gases, health and environmental effects, U.S. climate policies, clean energy, and the Energy Star program. You can also calculate your emissions.

California-specific Resources:

Gardening/landscaping:

www.gardenfortheenvironment.org: Garden for the Environment's site (sponsored by the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council). Lists of classes offered, news and events, resources and contacts, and volunteer opportunities.

www.plantsf.org: Plant SF, a San Francisco based organization, promotes permeable landscaping. The site has articles, news, resources and contacts, how-to guides, and explanations of permeable landscaping.

www.ecolandscaping.org: The website for the Ecological Landscaping Association. Includes events, publications, and resource links.

www.commongroundinpaloalto.org: The Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center is a project of Ecology Action, a nonprofit organization. The site includes classes and events, newsletters, articles, products, resources (gardening tips, planting calendar, eating sustainably).

www.anniesannuals.com: Annie's Annuals and Perennials. A Bay Area nursery that grows plants naturally. You can browse by plant type or flower color, see an A-Z list of their plants, and order catalogs or by mail.

Water Conservation:

www.cuwcc.org: Site by the California Urban Water Conservation Council. Includes news, new products, and technical resources.

www.sfwater.org: A site by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. View press and news, sustainability plans, water conservation tips, tools and reports, rebates, and resources for businesses or homes. A useful site.