In this episode of “Questions You Never Thought You’d Ask,” we ask ourselves: Is it a sink?  Is it a toilet?

If you were at K/BIS in Chicago last year, you might have seen me standing in at the Caroma booth in front of this, mesmerized.

I had been working on several green stories and was a few weeks away from launching this blog, and the topic I had become most interested in was the use of “used” water or greywater as a means to overall water conservation.

And then along comes the Profile Smart, the unit you see at left–it wasn’t available in the U.S. during K/BIS Chicago, but it is now. The unit is a dual flush HET with a 1.28/.08 gpf rating, which the company says will save a family that replaces a 1.6 gpf model approximately 5,000 gallons of water a year.

In the lingo of infomercials everywhere: BUT WAIT!  THERE’S MORE!

 The water saving increase when you factor in the sink that is integrated into the lid of the toilet.  In Caroma’s words:

“When the Profile Smart is flushed, fresh cold water is directed through the faucet for hand washing. This water then drains into the tank to be used for the next flush. This unique water and space saving design features chrome buttons built-in to the tapware design. It also features a large trapway, nearly double the industry average, virtually eliminating blockages and overflows. The installation process is quick and easy and does not require any special instructions.”

Now that’s an innovation–for the environmentalists, it means no more DIYgreywater lines from the sink to the toilet to outside gardens/ponds/etc. (illegal in some states, unregulated in others).  For the average user, though, it means yet another way to save water–good for the bills, good for the Earth.

In TOTO’s own words:

“With over 1,500 Research and Design Engineers on staff in its global network, TOTO is constantly innovating new products, materials, and technologies to enhance its customers’ experience in, and the serene beauty of, their bath space.   “Continual innovation is an important aspect of our commitment to excellence,” said Lenora Campos, a company spokesperson.  “Our goal is to anticipate the needs of the consumer before those needs become apparent.  Each of these new innovations is ahead of its time.” 

TOTO’s new Luminist is a hybrid epoxy resin that combines the translucence of glass with exceptional impact-, heat-, and stain-resistance of a marble surface.  These qualities enable TOTO to craft from it bathtubs and lavatories that are not only beautiful and durable, but also can also be lit from below, opening up myriad design possibilities for subtle, ambient effects to influence the atmosphere of the bath.  This blend of qualities – beauty, lucidity, and durability – makes Luminist a designer’s fantasy material come to reality.  Luminist belongs to a family of materials – epoxy resins – that is more commonly found in airplane wings than the high-end bath.  This hybrid epoxy resin can withstand temperatures of up to an industry-high of 680°F — not to mention its ability to withstand scratching and high impact.  Its excellent machining properties make it versatile to use and easy to repair, and, as a toxin-free epoxy resin, no volatile organic compounds are released during its production, which benefits the environment.”

Pretty neat stuff.  More to come!

• Moen’s IO Digital shower system is making waves–pun very much intended–and was all the buzz at the company’s media event last night.  Two great features include a “pause” function for those times when you’re in the shower (women: think when you’re shaving your legs) and you need to temporarily halt the stream–which has a convenience benefit coupled with a definite water-savings benefit.  This is also good if you’re the type to check your Blackberry while showering, too. The unit also has a funky little remote control.  You can set it to your favorite temperature then, in the morning, reach for the remote to turn on the shower before you even get out of bed, and the unit will tell you when the water’s at your preferred temperature so you can hop right in.
• Brizo’s making a bold, green statement with their “Green Is Beautiful” campaign: the company is touting its WaterSense compliance as well as its Diamond Seal Technology which acts to maintain the quality of the water that passes through the faucetry that contains it, and is tested to last, according to Brizo, to five million uses, or ten times the industry standard.  Brizo has also gone transparent with its environmentally sensitive processes including water recycling, brass recycling, chemical-free metal cleaning and other neat green features.  For more, click here to go to Brizo’s Web site.

Photos and other news to come!  Stay tuned!

Former Governor Mike Huckabee spoke to that very point at the opening keynote address this morning when he said, “No recession lasts forever,” and current NKBA president Suzie Williford agreed, thanking those in attendance (a near-capacity crowd in the GWCC’s auditorium) for having “the courage to invest in the industry and in your business’ future.”

OK, OK, enough cheerleading.  Here’s the skinny on the good, green products which are (happily) everywhere.

(more…)

I’ll be there, in the thick of it, bringing you the latest and greatest (and greenest) from the show floor, getting the scoop on companies big and small.  If you’re going to be there, I hope to see you–I’ll probably chew your ear off about whatever recycled countertop or low-VOC paint I’ve just seen, so be ready.  If you’re not headed to Atlanta, stay tuned to this page!

And should you find yourself thirsty for even more content, sign up here for our pre-show, at-show and post-show eNewsletters for the skinny on new product offerings and the best of what K/BIS has to offer. Stay green, America, and see you in Atlanta!