We can all do our part to save the world from an early demise, and it doesn’t have stop at recycling either. Making an effort to bring re-usable bags when we go shopping has become a growing trend, as well as paperless billing on behalf of utility companies. The construction industry has been given many incentives by local and federal governments to use green building materials and reduce their emissions. As such, manufacturers of materials are falling into line, offering materials that appeal to the environmentally conscious builder and homeowner.

So how can spray foam insulation help save the world? Many people may answer this question with the declaration that soy-based insulation is plant based and therefore biodegradable and better for the earth. That may be so, but the earth friendly component to soy-based spray foam insulation is the only benefit at this point in the development of the product. Soy-based formulas are open celled, much like a sponge. Imagine trying to insulate your home with sponges, there is no blockage of gaps, and even if you do block a hole in your attic, the cold air is absorbed in the sponge. The R-value will be tremendously reduced, costing you more to heat your home and thus the chain of efficiency is broken. The alternative is a closed-call polyurethane spray that fills in every nook, cranny, gap, and crevice. The closed-cell technology means the drafts are not absorbed, but stopped completely, increasing the r-value of your home by twice as much compared to fiberglass. That improvement in itself reduces energy costs and helps save the world.

When people think of spray foam insulation they usually picture a guy with a big truck coming to the house, donning a blue suite with goggles and spraying everything in sight. Well thanks to technology, you can be that guy in the blue suit! Green spray foam kits are now widely available on the internet, and far easier to operate than most people think. Many users liken it to painting with a spray gun. Just the decision to do it yourself will save on emissions that could have been dealt out by the installers truck coming to your house. Plus, if you choose to purchase your kit from a North American company, find out if their products are manufactured and assembled entirely in the same country the company is located. This is a huge reduction in the carbon footprint of the company, and ultimately your home.

Another thing to look for when researching spray foam insulation options is if the company is registered with Terrapass. Terrapass is a program in which the user purchases an annual certificate which is equal to the estimated carbon footprint of the company. The money goes towards independently validated projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thus if your company is estimated to produce one metric tonne of carbon dioxide emissions, then Terrapass will fund one of their sponsored projects for the same amount equal to your carbon footprint. Further to this effort, many companies are choosing to match the efforts made by Terrapass with their own projects, such as the purchase of recycled materials. It is important to understand that the efforts of Terrapass are not a substitute for conservation. Everything we do on a daily basis has some sort of impact on the environment, and Terrapass is one way an individual or business can take responsibility for that impact. Conservation is still important.

Green building materials are given permission to use the 'green' classification by the US Green Building Council, who are also the founders of the LEED program. LEED is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. They have designed a Green Building Rating System which offers guidelines for the improvement of both existing and new construction buildings. These guidelines are widely used by builders and contractors in both the US and Canada, and apply to all elements of construction, from framing to lighting. With the help of programs like Terrapass and LEEDs, simple choices like what type of insulation to use in your home will help save the world from an early demise.