GreenDigs Blog

Kirei, most commonly known for their highly recognizable sorghum board, has expanded their line to include other green materials.  A recent visit to the manufacturer’s website brought a discovery of bamboo, wheatboard, and coconut shell green materials; all rapidly renewable products (grown, harvested and replenished within 10 years or less) which can help contribute towards LEED points.

Kirei’s bamboo line features the fairly commonly edge grain, horizontal, and strand grain versions.  Also included is a proprietary “chocolate” bamboo, which is darker in tone than a typical caramel or carbonized version. The wheatboard is marketed towards as a green MDF substitute, as it is not overly stable as a countertop surface or cabinetry front.  Is it suitable, however, as paneling or surface which does not receive high usage. Lastly, the Coco product, which is made from coconut shells, is tile form available in a woven or organic pattern.  The sizes are 12″ x 12″ tile or panel size of 48″ x 48″, which could be used in multiple ways to create patterns and forms.  Check it out.

One of my new favorite “green” websites is Ecolect, dedicated to being the largest green material library with free access.  Not only does it contain a green materials database, but also great articles, case studies, user blogs, and a recommended green book area. A couple of different features include listing the recycled content of the products (select products only), and areas for users to post product reviews and project photos of materials.

For those familiar with the buildinggreen.com website, you will find this a similar resource with a smaller materials database, and less technical articles. Nevertheless, it is fresh, new, and most definitely green. Check it out.