Atlanta day-care center embraces green tech

Did you know that it takes something like 7,000 repetitions for something to become a habit?

So, here's an early Monday morning question: How much is society doing right now to encourage that green habits are simply unconscious common sense when the next generation becomes adults? Most of the green chatter involving young people has centered on science competitions for high school and college-age demographics. (BTW, this question is not entirely rhetorical, so send ideas and pitches to this e-mail.)

Anyway, this thought jumped to mind when I came across an incoming pitch from a company in Atlanta called FIO360, which describes itself as an "Eco Early Care and Learning Boutique." Translation: FIO360 is one of the first child care centers in the United States that was constructed according to the U.S. Green Building Council's guidelines for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Here's some of the green tech that the facility will use:

- Solar tubing for energy conservation and to provide natural daylight. - Radiant heated flooring. - Paints that contain zero volatile organic compounds. - Rugs made out of natural fibers. - Various play equipment and organic toys. - Waterless urinals and sensor-activated faucets.

The facility will use streaming video so parents can peek in on their kids from remote locations and it will use various computerized whiteboard technologies for teaching activities. I probably don't even really need to mention that the facility will serve only organic/locally grown food and use organic personal care products and cleaners.

The 21,000-square-foot facility is supposed to open in April 2008 for full-time enrollments and reach full capacity by August. (It's supposed to handle about 240 children.) I'm sure it will probably be ultra-expensive, which is sort of sad. I just hope the caregivers are focused on sharing the idea that green living is something to strive for. Can you imagine the impact if we ALL focused on emphasizing just one of these green ideas with young children? They're sponges at this age. Anyone else out there doing something similar?