Do your part to conserve the beauty of Mexico by building
green.
Many techniques and materials may not be immediately
familiar or available to your local contractor, but taking the
time to explore your options is well worth the future
sustainability of your home and environment, and will save
you money in the long-run.
1. Respect and comply with local laws and regulations
regarding construction and site density.
2. Design the building with plenty of shade and passive
ventilation, and resort to air-conditioning only when
absolutely necessary. This may include reflective and insulated
roof and windows, and open spaces to encourage cross
ventilation.
3. Install high-efficiency lighting fixtures and consider
incorporating solar panels or windmills to power your home
or business, and lower your electric bill.
4. Install low-flow water fixtures and consider recycling
grey-water (from sinks and showers) to water gardens and
flush toilets. Use rainwater capture systems to lower your
water bill.
5. Consider installing constructed wetlands (wastewater
gardens) and composting toilets- when properly constructed
they look and feel just like a “normal” toilet.
6. Utilize permeable pavement (brick or stone, plant
growth between) to control flooding and encourage
groundwater recharge.
7. Use local renewable materials when possible, and
avoid using endangered species. For example, in the Yucatán,
the Chit palm (Thrinax radiata) is endangered and should not
be used as thatch roofing. Much of the zacate grass used in its
place is also being over-harvested. Support sustainable forestry
by purchasing wood from a certified source.
8. Respect existing vegetation where possible, and
landscape using native plants- they need less watering.
9. On beachfront property, help protect your home and
prevent erosion by building slightly behind the dune, instead of
directly on the beach.
10. Consider your foot-print both during and after
construction- ask where your waste goes, install a composting
toilet for your workers…
green.
Many techniques and materials may not be immediately
familiar or available to your local contractor, but taking the
time to explore your options is well worth the future
sustainability of your home and environment, and will save
you money in the long-run.
1. Respect and comply with local laws and regulations
regarding construction and site density.
2. Design the building with plenty of shade and passive
ventilation, and resort to air-conditioning only when
absolutely necessary. This may include reflective and insulated
roof and windows, and open spaces to encourage cross
ventilation.
3. Install high-efficiency lighting fixtures and consider
incorporating solar panels or windmills to power your home
or business, and lower your electric bill.
4. Install low-flow water fixtures and consider recycling
grey-water (from sinks and showers) to water gardens and
flush toilets. Use rainwater capture systems to lower your
water bill.
5. Consider installing constructed wetlands (wastewater
gardens) and composting toilets- when properly constructed
they look and feel just like a “normal” toilet.
6. Utilize permeable pavement (brick or stone, plant
growth between) to control flooding and encourage
groundwater recharge.
7. Use local renewable materials when possible, and
avoid using endangered species. For example, in the Yucatán,
the Chit palm (Thrinax radiata) is endangered and should not
be used as thatch roofing. Much of the zacate grass used in its
place is also being over-harvested. Support sustainable forestry
by purchasing wood from a certified source.
8. Respect existing vegetation where possible, and
landscape using native plants- they need less watering.
9. On beachfront property, help protect your home and
prevent erosion by building slightly behind the dune, instead of
directly on the beach.
10. Consider your foot-print both during and after
construction- ask where your waste goes, install a composting
toilet for your workers…
Please help us keep this directory up to date by suggesting changes and new entries. Thank you. BY BUSINESS TYPE: Energy Design & Construction Water Other
Aguascalientes Baja California Baja California Sur Campeche Chíapas Chihuahua Coahuila Colima DF Durango Guanajuato Guerrero Hidalgo Jalisco México Michoacan Morelos Nayarit Nuevo Leon Oaxaca Puebla Querétaro Quintana Roo San Luis Potosí Sinaloa Sonora Tabasco Tamaulipas Tlaxcala Veracruz Yucatán Zacatecas Don´t forget to let these businesses know you learned about them through our website. |
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