Nybacker Among BuildingGreen’s Top-10 Products

Atlanta, GA, December 6, 2005--BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Product Directory and Environmental Building News, has announced its 2005 selections of the Top-10 Green Building Products. Among the top 10 was Nybacker tile backerboard produced by NYCORE, Inc., which is produced from recycled carpet. This fourth annual award, announced at the U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild Conference in Atlanta, recognizes the most exciting products added to the GreenSpec Directory during the past year. "Our selections of the Top-10 Green Building Products represent a wide range of product types," noted GreenSpec co-editor Alex Wilson. Three of BuildingGreen's winning products this year save energy, though all three also offer other environmental benefits. Two products save water. Three products are green in part because they are made from recycled waste or biobased material. Rounding out the list are a biodegradable erosion-control mat and a brand-new flooring alternative for commercial buildings. "Most of the Top-10 products this year have multiple environmental attributes," said Wilson. Several important trends are reflected in the Top-10 selections this year, according to Wilson. "Dual-flush toilets have arrived," he said. The list includes both a residential dual-flush toilet from one of the largest and most respected toilet manufacturers in the world and a commercial flushometer that brings dual-flush technology to commercial, water-line-pressure toilets. Responding to consumer demand, manufacturers have been working hard to introduce products that avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers, which are increasingly targeted for avoidance due to concerns about endocrine-disrupting effects. "The introduction of a non-PVC polymer composition tile as an alternative to VCT (vinyl composition tile) late in 2005 was a huge breakthrough," according to Wilson. Another dramatic development during the year was the introduction of a binder for plywood that does not contain formaldehyde--a chemical that was reclassified in 2004 from a "probable human carcinogen" to a "known human carcinogen." Along with avoiding formaldehyde, this new binder is made from a rapidly renewable material (soybeans) rather than petroleum or natural gas. Products from this manufacturer include panels made from chopped straw and wood veneers that are certified according to standards developed by the Forest Stewardship Council. Finally, 2005 saw the introduction of an ice-based thermal energy storage system that makes off-peak cooling practical for smaller commercial buildings and homes. Until now, making ice at night to provide daytime cooling was limited to large commercial buildings that used chillers. "This is a very significant development," said Wilson, "that will enable utility companies to reduce the use of peaking power plants that are often the most polluting; it will also save a lot of money for building owners who pay electricity demand charges or have time-of-day electricity rates." The 2005 BuildingGreen Top-10 products are as follows: BioNet Erosion-Control Mats from North American Green PureBond Hardwood Plywood and Agrifiber-Core Panels from Columbia Forest Products Nybacker recycled-carpet tile-backer from NYCORE, Inc. Stonescape from American Biltrite Canada, Ltd. Terratex Biobased Textiles from Interface Fabrics and Carnegie Uppercut Dual-Flush Flushometer Valve from Sloan Valve Company Aquia Dual-Flush Toilet from TOTO USA, Inc. Ice Bear Thermal Energy Storage System from Ice Energy, Inc. UltimateAir RecoupAerator® 200-DX ERV from Stirling Technology, Inc. Enbryten LED and Pendant and Downlighting Luminaires from Permlight Products, Inc.

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