In every city there are multiple ways to recycle and live a sustainable existence. Businesses and individuals have been bombarded with toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable materials for so many years that many people don’t realize how they’re contributing to the pollution of our planet. With the help of a few organizations, it’s becoming clearer what we can all do to help the growth of our planet. One industry in particular seems to be at the forefront of embracing the sustainable movement. Businesses within the travel industry have been innovating the green industry.

Most businesses in the travel industry understand that comfort and class means bringing part of the indoor outside. Natural light, solar heated swimming pools; high efficiency windows and outdoor entertainment areas are a few ways that businesses have been able to cut down their dependency on utility companies. At home, individuals are looking for ways to better utilize energy. There are all types of solar heating shingles that transform rooftops into solar energy generators. Many homeowners are remodeling to include sunrooms, skylights, big windows and energy-smart appliances.

Water is a precious resource on Earth. However there’s so much waste that occurs because water waste is typical of the way that we build our homes and businesses. There are better ways to cut down on water waste. For one, you can install low flow toilets and showerheads. You can also use tank less water heaters. There are even better systems for reducing water waste for landscaping.

For example, the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas has a drip irrigation system with moisture sensors that reduce the amount of water necessary to keep planets watered and happy. They also replaced parts of their outdoor areas with artificial turf grass. This has saved eight million gallons of water per year. The Palazzo was even named the “Most Eco Friendly Hotel in America”.
The worldwide market for green materials continues to grow. It was at $116 billion just for this year and is expected to grow to $254 billion by 2020. However, there is a lot of work to be done in order to reach our worldwide goals. Sustainable facilities like the hotels and casinos found in Las Vegas continue to drive innovation. There are many areas that must go without water and other areas, which are overcome by landfill waste. By recycling, reducing waste and looking for sustainable options, we can reduce our carbon footprints every day and maintain this beautiful planet that we live on. It’s imperative that we make the right decision for future generations and the survival of Earth.

Sam Marquit is an entrepreneurial independent contractor and home renovation/remodeling expert in New York. He has made it a point to share with readers a day in the life of sustainable building. Forecasting the possible application and implementation of new green building materials and technologies is just one small part of his effort to reduce everyone’s carbon footprint.