The Outlook
October 2007

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W e l c o m e

This month we offer a report that explores how vinyl siding compares to the alternatives and how assumptions about maintenance impact those comparisons.  This report is part of Dovetail's Responsible Materials Program, and we invite you to view previous related reports that have included a look at bamboo flooring, steel framing, solid wood products, and tree-free paper.

This month we also announce the expansion of our Eco-Affordable Housing Program to include the community of Morris, Minnesota, and - last but not least - Steve Bratkovich a long-time friend and colleague has joined the Dovetail Team!    Enjoy!

- Jeff

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I n   T h i s   I s s u e:

R e p o r t s:

Vinyl Siding

A Number of Human Health and Environmental Concerns, But At Least It's Maintenance Free, Isn't It?    

N e w s:

Morris to Participate in Dovetail's Eco-Affordable Housing Program
Eco-housing is top priority for site redevelopment

Dovetail Partners Establishes Project Manager for Recycling & Reuse

Steve Bratkovich joins Dovetail with more than 32 years of experience

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D o v e t a i l   R e p o r t s

All reports are available online.

You've seen the ads. “Maintenance-free,” “virtually maintenance-free,” “no hassle,” “durable,” “never needs painting.”   These are the words that helped propel vinyl siding to a leading 37 percent share of the U.S. house siding market in 2002. These words have also helped make the case that vinyl siding is a “green” building product and responsible material because it is durable, has a long life span, and doesn't require additional inputs or have the environmental impacts of maintenance.   So how accurate is this description of vinyl siding?   Is vinyl siding really “maintenance free”?

http://www.dovetailinc.org/reports/pdf/DovetailVinyl1007ku.pdf

Previous Dovetail Reports related to Responsible Materials:

• Tree Free Paper: When Is It Good for the Environment?
• Paper from Agricultural Residues
• Life Cycle Analysis: A Key to Better Environmental Decisions
• Bamboo Flooring: Environmental Silver Bullet or Faux Savior?
• Chain-of-Custody Certification: What is It, Why do It, and How?
• Are Life Cycle-Based Labeling and a Broadening of Environmental Certification Programs Needed?
• Innovations in Design & Construction: Opportunities for the Wood Industry
• Have Tropical Woods in Your Product Line?: How to Know if They Were Harvested Legally, Responsibly
• What is a "Responsible Material" Anyway?
• Materials Selection in Framing: Is Steel Framing a Good Environmental Choice?
• The FSC Controlled Wood Standard: What it is and what it is for
• Is the Wood in Your Product Line of Legal Origin?: What is Your Responsibility to Make Sure That It Is?
• Solid Wood Products: Green Materials or the Bane of Environmental Sustainability?

To access Dovetail Reports, click here to view the online directory.

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D o v e t a i l   N e w s


Morris to Participate in Dovetail's Eco-Affordable Housing Program
Eco-housing is top priority for site redevelopment

Minneapolis, Minn. (10/08/07) – The effort to redevelop the former elementary school site in Morris got a boost from the Morris City Council recently with a unanimous vote to use Dovetail Partners as a consultant for their future model "green" housing development project.

http://www.dovetailinc.org/DovetailNews100807.html

Dovetail Partners Establishes Project Manager for Recycling & Reuse

Steve Bratkovich joins Dovetail with more than 32 years of experience

Minneapolis, Minn. (10/17/07) - Dovetail Partners, a non-profit based in Minneapolis recently announced the establishment of a new position.  

Steve Bratkovich, with more than 32 years of forestry and forest products experience, is Dovetail's Project Manager for Recycling and Reuse.

“It is great to add Steve to our team,” says Kathryn Fernholz, Executive Director for Dovetail Partners.   “He helps strengthen and diversify Dovetail's skills related to responsible materials and responsible trade.”

http://www.dovetailinc.org/DovetailNews101707.html

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