Expo nets residents a greener mindset

VALPARAISO | Homeowners encountered a lot of guidance Saturday toward a greener lifestyle at the second annual Living Green Expo at Ivy Tech Community College's Valparaiso campus.

Nearly 25 local vendors provided information on environmentally friendly home and building products, including composting, green building materials, geothermal heating and cooling, rain barrels and nontoxic cleaning products.

The show, sponsored by the Porter County Builders Association, began Friday at Ivy Tech with a webinar for students from area schools that reviewed alternative energy, stormwater management and recycling. The show opened to the public Saturday and continues from noon to 5 p.m. today.

This is the first year Ivy Tech hosted the show.

"We always have a big focus on education," said Vicky Gadd, the building group's executive officer. "So it was fitting for us to move to an educational institution."

Show participants received $1 off the $3 entrance fee by donating a nonperishable food item. Last year, the association gave 800 pounds of food to area food pantries.

Door prizes for participants included a carbon monoxide detector, paint low in volatile organic chemicals and bamboo flooring.

Douglas Wassilak attended the show with sons Alex, 3, and Ben, 1.

"This is all stuff I find interesting," said Wassilak, who is renovating his home in Valparaiso. "I'm trying to get ideas for our projects."

Debbie Pavloff, of San Pierre, stumbled across the show on her way to her Saturday errands in Valparaiso and was impressed with what the show had to offer.

"This brings everything together, as far as green home and cleaning products," Pavloff said.

Wassilak was eager to carry out some of the show's ideas at home.

"I have a strong appreciation for sustainable building practices," said Wassilak who already collects rainwater in barrels. "I'd like to do these for our health and the environment's health."