The Boston Globe had an interesting article on “greenwashing,” or the empty environmental claims some companies are making in order to jump on the biofuel bus. You’ve probably encountered this in some form or another: hotels that ask you to reuse towels but still have high-pressure showerheads, hybrid SUVs that only get 20 miles to the gallon but are touted as environmentally friendly. Well, since by the very fact of their existence, neither cars nor hotels will ever be truly eco-friendly, there’s a bit of a conundrum here. At what point does something become eco-friendly?  And how does one know all the claims are for real?

There are obviously degrees of eco-responsibility, as in anything else; infill developments (like Mixson) are extremely high on the environmentally friendly scale, because they don’t take up new land, and often help revitalize the landscape by planting trees and greenery.  As long as these plants are native - and Mixson’s are - the net result is highly beneficial to both the natural and community environments.

While it’s true that some infill developments don’t use sustainable practices, like recycling and seeking out responsible products and manufacturers, many do, and Mixson is without question at the top in this area.  Our construction site recycles everything from timber and drywall to paper bags and soda cans.  The materials with which we choose to build and outfit the homes, like the extremely low environmental impact AAC from Aercon ( this site also has a great deal of information on the product), and the Energy Star appliances that each and every home will feature, make Mixson green from start to finish.  And how do you know that we are certifiably better for the earth than the standard new home?  Each Mixson home will be LEED for Homes certified, a program administered by the ultimate word in green building, the US Green Building Council.

So please, check us and Mixson out very carefully.  Look at our entire process.  Ask Jennifer and David, the agents you can find at the Mixson Information Office, any questions you have about Mixson’s plan - they’d love to talk about how Mixson is fulfilling its promise to be sustainable.  And if you think of something that we haven’t, please tell us: we are always taking suggestions.

Filed under: I'On Group, Mixson, Urban Sustainability on May 27th, 2008