2004–2006 Green Office Renovation

In order to walk the talk, New American Dream underwent a two-year process to renovate our main office, using the most sustainable building materials and methods we could find. The result is a beautiful, functional, multipurpose office space that is healthier and greener. Here are some of the features of our new space:

  • Recycled carpet tiles from Interface Carpeting. Not only is this carpeting made of recycled content, but the individual tiles can be replaced piece by piece, instead of ripping up the entire carpet – saving on carpet costs and conserving resources.
  • VOC-free Green Seal Class A certified latex paint. All of the paint on our walls is free of chemical fumes and safer for our staff.
  • Renewable cork flooring in lobby and conference room. Cork makes a renewable building material and comfortable feet.
  • Marmolum in the kitchen. A natural flooring product made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, jute and limestone.
  • Non-vinyl rubber baseboards throughout the office.  This building material avoids harzardous plastic substances.
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified mahogany conference table crafted by a local artisan. We can support our local businesses and ensure that our global community was considered.
  • Greenguard certified conference chairs made from 52% recycled (29% post-consumer) materials.  Indoor air quality certifications ensure that products don’t off-gas hazardous vapors.

New Dream also found creative ways to reuse and donate some of our used items that otherwise might have ended up in a landfill.

  • One volunteer built a shed and renovated her basement with leftover wood, sheetrock, carpet, and cabinets from our upgrades.
  • An intern replaced her less efficient refrigerator with our old one.
  • We used Freecycle and Craigslist to find items we needed and give away items from our office that needed a new home.