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John Hollenhorst reporting Finally, there's a store in Utah that will help you build a house, out of grass! Or, a kitchen counter ... of recycled beer bottles!
It may sound silly. But, it's part of a serious effort spreading across the country.. to build with healthy, earth-friendly materials.
When we first encountered Ashley Patterson she was mixing paint. You know, the natural kind; no petrochemicals, no volatile organic compounds.
Ashley Patterson, The Green Building Center: "CHEMICALS THAT ARE POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC. THESE PAINTS DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE."
Her outfit is The Green Building Center. Her mission is to sell building materials that are healthy for you, easy on Mother Earth.
Ashley Patterson, The Green Building Center:: "THIS IS A VEGETABLE-BEESWAX COVERING ON A BAMBOO FLOOR. IT'S ABSOLUTELY 100 PERCENT NATURAL."
Speaking of bamboo floors, here's one going in.
Chuck Williams and Rebecca chose bamboo because it's actually a fast growing grass. A sustainable resource. Fewer forests will be cut down.
Rebecca Diehl-Williams, Salt Lake County Resident: " I THINK YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS. BECAUSE WE CAN'T ALL DO BIG THINGS. WE HAVE TO DO SOME SMALL THINGS."
Chuck Williams, Salt Lake County Resident: "SOME OTHER PEOPLE DO IT, MORE PEOPLE DO IT, AND PRETTY SOON WE'RE BUILDING HOUSES WITH GRASS."
Patterson opened her store just a month ago. She says more progressive cities have had similar stores for years.
Ashley Patterson, The Green Building Center:: "THE GREEN BUILDING MOVEMENT IS JUST STARTING TO TAKE OFF IN SALT LAKE. "
In such an environmentally friendly place, it's no suprise to find solar energy panels. But, how about this? A candelabra made from bicycle parts. And insulation made from recycled blue jeans."
"THIS IS RUBBER-TREE FLOORING...."
The list goes on an on.
Cabinets, without particleboard.
Ashley Patterson, The Green Building Center:: "THEY USE WHEATBOARD. AND IT'S THE WASTE FROM A STRAW HARVEST."
Chemical free carpet. Organic bedding. Tiles from recycled bottles. And Karma Stones.
Ashley Patterson, The Green Building Center:: "STEPPING STONES FOR A GARDEN MADE 100 PERCENT OUT OF PARK CITY'S RECYCLED PLASTIC."
Patterson says she's sure her customers will make their homes healthier. And they may sleep better at night, knowing they're doing something small to save the environment.
The Green Building Center is located at 20th East and 2700 South.
