About the EnviroHouse
What makes it green
Real-time solar production
Publications
What / Why / How to go green
Credits
Photos
Art
Visit the Puget Sound area's only
permanent green model home
Hours: Wed - Fri: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: City of Tacoma Landfill, 3510 S. Mullen St.
Admission: Free
Information: (253) 573-2426
EHouse@cityoftacoma.org
The City of Tacoma EnviroHouse is a permanent model home showcasing green building and natural landscape ideas, materials and techniques to create a healthy home and planet. The EnviroHouse champions the benefits of sustainable living and building practices to homeowners, builders, suppliers, landscapers, real estate agents and the general public, highlighting readily available products for new and existing homes and yards.
The EnviroHouse offers visitors a way to see and touch a wide variety of green building and sustainable living products. Whether you’re planning a full remodel or simply need to replace an old appliance, the EnviroHouse features more than 150 "green" interior, exterior and landscape ideas, including:
• Recycled-content carpet, countertops, furniture and tile
• Water-saving showerhead display
• Recycled-content sidewalk and decking
• Non-toxic paint and natural bulletin boards
• Synthetic turf, natural grasses, native plants and recycled-content mulch
• Cork and bamboo flooring
• Weather-controlled irrigation system
• Energy-efficient windows, lighting and appliances
• Insulation options using recycled or organic products
• Solar electricity
• Composting systems for food, yard and pet waste
What makes the EnviroHouse green?
With more than 150 green products and materials in the EnviroHouse, this is just a partial list of its many green features.
ENERGY: Energy Efficient (See real-time solar production at the EnviroHouse)
• Appliances: ENERGY STAR appliances that use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models.
• Lighting: Fluorescent bulbs that consume 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs
• Lighting: Skylight that increases light output and block UV transmission
• Windows: Low E, argon windows that reduce heat loss and block UV rays
• Insulation: Insulation made from soy-based products, recycled wood fiber and other natural products that are free of toxic chemicals and gases
• Heating: High efficiency heating and cooling systems and water heater
• Solar panels that generate renewable energy from the sun
WATER: Water Efficient
• Toilet: High-efficient, pressure assist toilet that reduces water by more than 30%
• Faucet/Showerheads: Faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads that cut water use in half
• Appliances: Water efficient dishwasher and clothes washer that use up to 50% less water than standard models
AIR: Healthy Indoor Air
• Paint: Zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint that contains no ammonia and almost no odor
• Flooring: Marmoluem flooring made from natural materials; 100% solvent-free adhesives
• Insulation: Insulation made from soy-based products, recycled wood fiber and other natural products that are free of toxic chemicals and gases
• Carpet: Zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) peel and stick carpet tiles
• Wall covering: Low-VOC, chlorine-free wall covering containing no plasticizers or stabilizers
• Furniture: Low-emitting wood chairs, formaldehyde-free chair foam and fabric
• Heating: Electric heaters that produce no fumes or water vapor
• Cleaners: Use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products
SITE & LANDSCAPE: Low-Impact Site Development / Natural Landscape
• Irrigation: Water-efficient irrigation system that uses low-evaporation spray heads and drip irrigation that applies water to the root zone, avoiding wasteful runoff
• Irrigation controller: Irrigation controller applies water according to the local weather
• Rain barrels: Rain barrels to capture and reuse rain water
• Plants: Native/adaptable plants that provide cleaner air, prevent erosion and flooding and improve water quality
• Compost: Compost that helps make landscaping more weed resistant, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can make their way into nearby waters
• Lawn: Synthetic turf made from recycled tires; Drought-tolerant buffalo grass
MATERIA
LS: Sustainable, Reused
Durable, natural, renewable:
• Lap siding made of cement, sand and wood fibers; 50-year warranty
• Euroslate rubber roofing, 50-year warranty
• Bamboo flooring, a rapidly renewable resource
• Bulletin boards made of natural materials and backing with no harmful by-products or carcinogens
• Lumber, window casings, baseboards and sheet material made with FSC-certified wood
• Table made of Ecowheat, a sustainable alternative to wood
Recycled-content / salvage:
• Decking made from recycled plastic
• Drywall made from recycled gypsum and paper
• Countertop made from recycled paper
• Ceramic and glass tile made from recycled glass
• Sidewalk made from 100% recycled tires
• Salvaged, reused sinks from Habitat for Humanity
• Salvaged landscape pavers
What is green building / sustainable living?
Green building is a way to approach the design, construction and operation of your home that allows for the least negative impact to our environment while providing you with a healthier living space.
Green building and sustainable living involves using premium building materials and products that create a healthier, more energy-efficient and water-efficient home:
• More durable materials
• Low-toxic paints
• Energy Star appliances
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Water-saving fixtures
• Renewable and recycled-content products
Why go green?
The responsibility for sustaining our world as a healthy environment rests with us all. By incorporating green building and sustainable living practices, you’ll provide for our needs now and the needs of future generations.
• Health: Good for you
-Improved air quality
-Natural light
-Natural, low-toxic materials
• Money: Good for your wallet
-Energy- and water-efficient (lower utility bills)
-Durable, low-maintenance materials
-Marketable for resale
• Environment: Good for the planet
-Resource-efficient
-Minimize waste
-Reuse and recycle
How do you go green?
• Identify what aspects of green building/sustainable living are important to you.
• Talk with a professional (contractor, architect, landscaper, real estate agent) about building and living green.
• Ask your local supplier to stock green building products.
Want to go green now — without the commitment of a major remodel or building project? Here are five easy ways to get started:
1. Use low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, adhesives and finishes.
2. Install compact fluorescent bulbs.
3. Install water-saving devices.
4. Select Energy Star appliances and furnaces.
5. Use products with renewable and recycled content.
Resources
Built Green Washington
Energy Conservation (Tacoma Power)
Green Home Remodel Guides (Seattle Public Utilities)
Natural Yard Care (City of Tacoma)
Northwest EcoBuilding Guild
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (City of Tacoma)
Surface Water Quality (City of Tacoma)
Tacoma-Pierce County Built Green®
TAGRO (City of Tacoma)
Water Conservation (Tacoma Water)
Credits
The EnviroHouse is a collaboration among City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management, Wastewater Management and Surface Water Management, Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and the Master Builders Association of Pierce County. Remodeling, design and landscape services were provided by Bates Technical College, BCRA, City of Tacoma Streets and Grounds Division, Morley-DeLoma Architects, Tacoma Public Utilities Grounds Maintenance Division, The Berger Partnership, Washington Conservation Corps and York Enterprises.
Presenting partners
Solid Waste Management
Surface Water Management
Wastewater Management
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Industry partners
Bates Technical College
BCRA
Master Builders Association of Pierce County
MD Architects
The Berger Partnership
Washington Conservation Corps
Washington State Department of Ecology
York Enterprises
Special thanks to these industry partners and suppliers for donating services and materials to the EnviroHouse:
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Birch Electric
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BioBased Systems
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Bonded Logic
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Coast Mechanical Inc.
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- Crescent Lighting
www.crescentlightingwa.com, (253) 922-1536
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Durobilt Furniture and Upholstery
(253) 272-4165
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L Squared Insulation
(509) 925-7209
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MD Architects
(253) 756-1652
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Peninsula Light Company
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Resource Northwest
(206) 467-2600
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Sunworks
(253) 770-8782
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The Eaton Group
(206) 767-0412
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The Gunning Group
(425) 837-1698
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EnviroHouse photos
EnviroHouse LIVING / DINING ROOM
EnviroHouse KITCHEN
EnviroHouse OFFICE
EnvrioHouse BATHROOM
EnviroHouse LAUNDRY ROOM
EnviroHouse FOYER / MAIN ENTRY
EnviroHouse LANDSCAPE
Publications
EnviroHouse brochure (960 KB)
Fact sheet (245 KB)
EnviroHouse landscape brochure (1,056 KB)
Plant list (108 KB)
Resource list (70 KB)
City of Tacoma EnviroHouse directions
Location
Tacoma Landfill
3510 S. Mullen St., Tacoma, WA 98409
Directions
- From I-5: Take Exit 132 and merge onto SR-16. Take Exit 1C Fircrest/Center Street. At the traffic light, go straight onto South Mullen Street and follow the road until you reach the landfill.
- From Orchard Street: Turn onto South Center Street going east. Turn right onto South Mullen Street and follow the road until you reach the landfill.
E-mail web questions for this page: Media and Communications