Greenbuild seeks volunteers

The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo are organizing 600 volunteers to help assemble the conference at the Phoenix Convention Center.

"The U.S. Green Building Council is an organization that takes very seriously its commitment to finding new ways of doing business and having a smaller impact on the environment," says Jerry Ufnal, Greenbuild public relations and media subcommittee chairman.

"There is going to be over a 1,000 companies showing their wares and services," says volunteer committee chairman Jim Westberg. The conference covers every kind of building material, from concrete to carpeting.

"Everything that goes into a building there is a green product or component out there," adds Westberg.

The USGBC began with commercial construction in mind, and once that was rolling, it expanded to existing commercial buildings, says Westberg. Now the Greenbuild Expo incorporates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for all buildings including neighborhoods and schools.

LEED creates a safer and healthier environment for occupants by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and water, and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, according to the USGBC's website. LEED also increases asset value and lowers operating costs.

Green Ideas Environmental Building Consultants, a Phoenix based company, has been involved with USGBC since the beginning. The consultants teach educational sessions as well as participate in the chapter leadership sessions, says Charles Popeck, president and CEO of Green Ideas.

"Our main business is project consulting for green projects, especially LEED projects. Everyone on our company is a LEED accredited professional," adds Popeck.

Greenbuild is looking for young professional, ages 25 and younger, and full-time college students to volunteer eight hours of their time to assist with the convention. Some will aid in preparation prior to the conference, and others will help with in-state conference tours of green buildings. Most will assist the days of the expo.

During the formal convention days, Nov. 11, 12 and 13, volunteers will usher attendees in the appropriate directions and help with the on-site recycling stations.

It will be the volunteer's job to instruct attendees on what is and is not recyclable, and which bin to place it in.

"The goal is to recycle 90 percent of the materials generating at the conference," says Westberg. "The way we do that is by placing everything into different recyclable categories. There will be bins for papers, aluminums, bottles, and composting."

All volunteers will receive free student admission, which allows the individual access to the exhibit hall and to educational sessions, as well as a free meal. Volunteer applications should be sent to studentvolunteersgb09@gmail.com.