To those unfamiliar with it, the lingo of green living can sound confusing.
The acronyms that are synonymous with the term, which loosely means using eco-friendly substances, include Zero VOC (that’s Volatile Organic Compounds) and LEED (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
But the 3-month-old GreenDepot in Tacony can now help homeowners decode the enigma of environmentally sound existence.
The endeavor touts itself as the "No. 1 source for environmentally friendly building supplies." It also sells residential products like adhesives, filtration systems, cleaning supplies and furniture. But before you buy, thoroughly trained employees will tell you what you need to know.
"The focus of GreenDepot is not only to sell products but to educate people," said general manager Jennifer Frantino.
Located in one of the least "green" places in the Northeast, GreenDepot holds court on the second floor of a warehouse on New State Road overlooking the industrial graveyards along the riverfront.
On the first floor is the MarJam construction supply company, from which GreenDepot sprouted after owner Mark Buller bought ECO, a small environmental building company, to offer his clients green alternatives. The company hopes that all 15 MarJams eventually include a GreenDepot — so far, three locations in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts do.
More builders and homeowners have taken an interest in environmentally friendly supplies in recent years because they’re healthier, longer-lasting and getting more wallet-friendly these days, Frantino said. Though costs for green supplies originally ran a little steep, they’ve become less expensive and easier to find thanks to their growing popularity.
"Building green is easy," she said. "For every traditional building product, we have a green product."
One such item that’s nicer to nature is cotton-and-denim insulation. It looks like a large cube of lint from a clothes dryer, but actually replaces traditional fiberglass insulation. It’s treated with borate and is naturally mildew-resistant, which helps homeowners who are allergic to mold.
Other products to install in the home include bamboo cabinets, natural cork flooring and formaldehyde-free architectural woodworking.
GreenDepot also offers the 360 Network Talk center, a members-only portal that helps connect green building professionals and consumers. Contractors and private homeowners who build green can score points with LEED, which rates buildings on standards for energy efficiency and use of eco-friendly materials. It awards one of four levels of certification, which also can include tax breaks.
Interested in going green? Start small, Frantino says, by purchasing a lightbulb, cleaning supply or paint at GreenDepot. The store has literature on different products to help you choose the right one for your home.
"Every single component can be green," she said. "Everyone can go green in the end." GreenDepot is at 6951 New State Road. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 215-333-3810 or visit http://greendepot.com for more information. Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com