Going green. You can't pick up a magazine or watch a DIY channel on TV without hearing some variation on the "green" concept. But what exactly is "going green?"

In our industry, going green is centered around the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

"Going Green" is not new to companies like TOTO who have been involved and are leaders in developing high efficiency technologies for over 30 years. Their high efficiency toilets "optimize water consumption without sacrificing performance". The closets work on 1.28 GPF, and the urinals on 0.5 GPF. In fact, between residential and commercial lines, they have ten closets and two urinals already complying with the standards. In time, all of their toilets will meet the LEED standards.

"Going Green" is not a flavor-of-the-month and it's picking up momentum across the United States and throughout the world. On both local and federal levels, codes are being changed and LEED credits are being offered to offset construction costs. It's become obvious that our environment is our responsibility and by conservation of energy and water resources along with recycling we can have a positive effect on our lives and future generations.