100 Green Buildings Dominate Chicago Trail

More than 100 Buildings in Chicago are Green - Image from Google

In Chicago – the home of U.S. Green Technology – solar panels transform sunshine into useful energy at an inspirational cafe. Not far from there, layers of sand and gravel absorb rain water at the Center for Neighborhood Technology. These are just two of more than 100 buildings that make up the Windy City’s “Green Trail,” a road dedicated to decreasing humans’ ecological footprint and thus improving the environment.

From North Lawndale to Logan Square, several buildings are setting trends in the green technology field. For instance, Inspiration Kitchens in Garfield Park not only features solar panels but also uses kitchen culinary equipment that is energy efficient and actually gives low-income and homeless the individuals the opportunity to hone their cooking skills.

Meanwhile, seeds are tested for use on the green roof of the Chicago Center for Green Technology. The biggest “sustainable business community” in the United States also will soon find its home in the Green Exchange, for which construction is underway. The Green Exchange will house more than 100 eco-friendly organizations and businesses in one building.

Sustainability Standards High for Green Businesses in Chicago and in Other Nations

Not only are green technology buildings such as government buildings, stores, galleries, restaurants and schools dotting an environmentally friendly road in Chicago but also these types of facilities are drawing attention around the world.

The more than 100 “Green Trail” Chicago facilities were open to viewers last week to give the public an idea of what they do to remain green, which includes reusing rain water and paper along with decreasing the use of energy. The Chicago Architecture Foundation held this monumental “openhousechicago” weekend, but many other cities and nations also were part of this Open House Worldwide network – Jerusalem, Barcelona, New York and London.

In Chicago, all of these “Green Trail” buildings possess or are pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which can result in tax benefits to them. The U.S. Green Building Council uses the LEED certification rating system for commercial and residential buildings in categories such as indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency and water efficiency.

Virtual tours of the “Green Trail” buildings in Chicago are available at:

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About U.S. Green Technology

U.S. Green Technology was established in January of 2009. U.S. Green Technology‘s mission is to share news and information about the latest advancements in green technologies and green jobs. U.S. Green Technology‘s areas of coverage include providing information on green social media campaigns, changes in green business, spread of the green movement throughout entertainment, green technological invention, new green start-ups, green manufacturing, green building, and green jobs. U.S. Green Technology recently launched a new free business directory for companies to promote their products and services. U.S. Green Technology also offers a green jobs board, powered by Simply Hired, for employers to post green jobs for job seekers interested in careers in the green jobs industries such as clean energy, renewable fuels, information technology, green building and green transportation.

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