Sharon Griswold washes and reuses plastic spoons to keep them out of a landfill.
Her husband, David Theodorson, has a similar mind-set: He grew up happily hugging trees in Oregon. "Reduce, reuse, recycle," he says.
For Griswold, 44, and Theodorson, 47, green attitudes do not end there. Emergency physicians who live with their three young children in Fort Washington, the couple have declared their concern for the environment in a way most of us haven't - they've built a sustainable green house.
What does that involve? More than replacing doors and windows with more-efficient alternatives, or using energy-thrifty appliances.
Generally speaking, according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which certifies green buildings, it means "strategies aimed at achieving high performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development; water savings; energy efficiency; materials selection; and indoor environmental quality."
It also means a significant commitment of cash - up front. Still, though geothermal cooling and heating and solar panels are not cheap - the couple spent more than $100,000 combined - the energy savings with solar panels begin almost immediately, said their builder, James E. Cardano.
"You get every dime back," said Cardano, president of Cardano Group Inc., noting that the money return on geothermal takes a bit longer.
Outside, the 5,000-square-foot structure is covered with what resembles cedar shakes but is actually a man-made material in a muted shade of green. Landscaping includes plants the couple brought with them from their last home. In short, the southeast-facing dwelling blends in with its surroundings. What gives away its differences are the solar panels covering the roof.
Inside, the decor radiates warmth and light - Griswold's love of color shows. Melons, greens, light and deep blues, and rusts are the selected tones for relatively simply appointed rooms, some of them graced by hand-hooked rugs.
"I am so decisioned out . . . to put the finishing touches on," she said.
The first floor is built on the order of a center-hall Colonial, but without walls separating dining and living rooms. Flowing behind those spaces are a large kitchen and family room. Above the staircase, the ceiling is open from floor to roof. Rising heat goes to the bedrooms, Cardano said, and the many windows let in light.
