Green Home Resources
Allen Landscaping – magnificent, environmentally sensitive landscapes; organic olive oil; also, ask them about their new biodiesel facility! When visiting their office, check out the bamboo cabinetry & Richlite countertops by AlterECO.
Blue Mountain Adventures – If you think hand-crafted cabinetry is cool (we sure do), then you’ll love hand-crafted adventures! Founded by the intrepid Snow Roberts who hails from a family steeped in adventure and true passion for life, Blue Mountain Adventures is just the ticket for rekindling your inner fire & getting out in the World in a wonderful way!
Flooring Alternatives – The AlterECO-certified source for green flooring selections. Mari Strain has been a friend and business colleague for many years. She provides outstanding customer service and a fabulous selection of the greenest – and best – flooring on the market. We have special savings offers available when you purchase both AlterECO & Flooring Alternatives!
Green by Design – A local alliance with the best in green design. You will find a cooperative approach with the healthy building professionals in design, products, construction and installation.
Green Home Guide – A useful online guide to information and products for greening your home.
Healthy Home Designs – Achitectural plans for healthy environments.
Plyboo – Our primary source for bamboo materials, AlterECO & Plyboo have a long-standing relationship.
Richlite Countertops – AlterECO is an authorized dealer for Richlite countertops. Available in earth tones that beautifully compliment the bamboo, Richlite countertops can be delivered with our cabinetry (as opposed to the typical several week wait after cabinet installation) and are custom-tailored to each application.
Schmitt Design (Adrift mobiles; Moso pendant lighting)- Visit AlterECO’s Sausalito showroom to see examples of the unique bamboo mobiles & lighting designs by a green designer who began his bamboo tinkerings as an early member of the AlterECO team. We still consider Brian Schmitt family and applaud the creativity expressed in his products, now available through AlterECO.
Susan Skornicka Designs – AlterECO and Susan Skornicka Designs have a special working relationship that yields magic for our clients. Susan’s very presence is a healing force. She is a pure joy to work with and specializes in turning ordinary settings into sacred spaces – full of light and love, as well as the practical functionality her clients need.
Vermont Wild Woods – AlterECO has a VERY LIMITED stock of Vermont Wildwood’s gorgeous forest-salvaged Butternut (white walnut) for that VERY SPECIAL cabinetry project. Call AlterECO for information. Imagine butternut alone or matched with bamboo for an exotic look. Serious inquiries only.
Vetrazzo – AlterECO is an authorized dealer for stunning Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops–a natural compliment to our custom bamboo cabinetry. Unfortunately, the company is no longer local, but still a great product…and Atlanta is much closer than Europe or Asia where most other countertop materials originate.
Vital Systems – Natural building and design. Beautiful people. Healthy, healing work. AlterECO roots.
Organizations/Affiliations
Bay Area Green Business Program – AlterECO is proud to be a Certified Green Bay Area Business.
BALLE – The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies is an organization which speaks to the heart, soul and hard work of truly responsible businesses. AlterECO looks forward to being part of a local BALLE chapter soon and will constantly look to BALLE for guidance, inspiration and to support BALLE’s great work.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) – AlterECO is a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau.
Build It Green – AlterECO maintains active membership in Build It Green
Circle of Life – Circle of Life operates from a deep belief in the interdependence and interconnection of all life. Circle of Life’s purpose is to be a devoted partner with an unrelenting commitment to the wholeness and greatness of all life. AlterECO supports the wonderful work of Julia Butterfly Hill and her amazing organization.
EECOM – AlterECO supports and engages in the work of the Enviromental Education Council of Marin
Eichler Network – Modern bamboo cabinets by AlterECO are truly a natural fit for the remodel of an Eichler or other mid-century modern home. An AlterECO project in Hillsborough was named a Top 10 kitchen by Eichler Network readers.
Green America – AlterECO is an active member of the Green America Business Network, supporter of Green America initiatives and an annual participant at the Green America Green Business Conference.
GreenBusinessOwner.com – AlterECO is a premium member of the Green Business Owner network. If you are the owner of a green business, there will be something at GBO to help you learn and to help your business grow. GBO workshops are especially valuable to those considering taking the plunge into eco-entrepreneurship and those relatively new to this burgeoning sector of business growth.
SBA (Sustainable Business Alliance) – a BALLE member network serving East Bay communities.
SFIA (San Francisco Institute of Architecture) – AlterECO education & inspiration.
2009 Solar Decathlon… Team California takes 3rd place overall…AGAIN! A program of the Department of Energy, The Solar Decathlon brings together 20 college and university teams on the Mall in Washington D.C. in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. AlterECO donated custom bamboo kitchen cabinets for both award-winning SCU solar houses to-date (2007 & 2009) in this bi-annual contest. In 2007, the students of Santa Clara University (with a wee bit of help from supporters big & small, including kitchen cabinetry by AlterECO) pulled-off a remarkable feat of engineering, design, sheer determination, and faith: as total underdogs, they secured 3rd place in the international competition. They are at it again, this time teaming-up with the students of California College of the Arts and a spirit of design innovation that is something to behold! AlterECO will be involved in the process in the form of an innovative island that ties seamlessly into the modern, flowing interior design. Click here for more info about Solar Decathlon 2009 and the SCU/CCA entry.
USGBC – AlterECO is an active member of the US Green Building Council (Redwood Empire Chapter/Northern CA)
Other Resources
ecoHOST – Website strategies emPowering Sustainable Businesses & Nonprofits
Ecotecture – An online journal of ecological design created by a great teacher, practitioner, and pioneer of environmental responsibility, Skip Wenz. Has not been updated recently but is still worth checking out and hopefully will have a resurgence.
Media
You may have come across AlterECO in the following publications over the last year or so…
SF Gate article “Sustainable home makes an impact in SF” AlterECO cabinetry a focal point of San Francisco remodel
Dwell Magazine (online) – Article by Theo Revlok, architect for a San Francisco home AlterECO is building cabinets for.
Good Green Kitchens – A hit new book by Jennifer Roberts. Recommended! ’06
Natural Home Mag. – A natural place to find green home ideas. (Mar/Apr ’06)
Smart HomeOwner Mag. – Smart solutions for green living. (May/Jun ’06)
Building Products Mag. – Green finding its way into mainstream. (Mar/Apr ’06)
Custom Home Mag. – AlterECO cabinets–“alluringly sustainable” (Jul/Aug ’05)
