ECO-Block Launches Companywide Environmental Initiative

31 October 2003

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – ECO-Block, a company already dedicated to reducing energy consumption, is taking its commitment one step further. At the company’s recent distributor conference, ECO-Block announced the launch of a companywide environmental initiative policy and action plan.

“ECO-Block already encourages environmental responsibility by providing an energy saving product,” said Vera Novak, environmental specialist. “But we can do better than that. ‘Greening’ our business is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing. Working with the environment saves money and resources, fosters consumer loyalty and creates greater public awareness of the environmental benefits of ICF construction.”

Incorporating environmental awareness into all aspects of the company will affect ECO-Block operations at every level. The following programs and practices have been developed:

A “green team” has been assembled that includes representatives from manufacturing, office administration, regional sales managers, distributors and contractors. Its charge will be to foster dialogue, and identify goals and action plans.

ECO-Block will educate customers, vendors and the industry community about the green building market and opportunities for participation.

The company will continue to explore alternative materials for its product that offers more environmentally friendly qualities while still meeting criteria for strength, consistency and insulative superiority.

ECO-Block will exhibit at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Second International Green Building Conference and Exposition – Greenbuild 2003, held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. The company, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), will occupy booth #427. The event takes place November 12 – 14. ECO-Block’s leadership has garnered respect from green-build professionals for promoting environmental education among builders and consumers alike. Novak shares her knowledge with customers, serving as a resource for green building practices within the construction industry. To that end, she recently completed the examination for the US Green Building Council’s LEED Accredited Professionals program and continues her studies through the Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) Institute.

ECO-Block, the leader in insulating concrete form technology, incorporates a state-of-the-art concept, using expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels that are assembled into forms and then filled with concrete. Once the concrete cures, the panels remain in place as a permanent part of the building, providing built-in insulation.

Use of ECO-Block’s ICF technology creates super-insulated, monolithic concrete walls that save energy, keep noise out and improve air quality. Greater fire, wind and weather resistance also help make ECO-Block buildings more durable and secure than those using conventional construction methods.

The use ECO-Block ICF systems reduces reliance on wood products, helping protect our threatened forests. ICF technology is rapidly integrating into mainstream commercial and residential construction. In 1998, 36,000 (1 percent ) new homes benefited from ICFs. Industry projections for 2003 estimate that approximately 108,000 (3.2 percent) homes will take advantage of ICF technology.