The leadership of NewGrass Landscape & Design and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger haven’t met, but they have something very much in common: They share a deep desire to reduce the state’s thirst for water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The governor earlier this year signed into law the nation’s first mandatory green-building standard code, which requires all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The comprehensive Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) take effect Jan. 1, 2011, and “will achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use to create a greener California,” the governor’s office said.

For its part, NewGrass Landscape & Design was founded on a mission of offering an alternative to natural grass turf for homeowners and others who believe being eco-wise and environmentally conscious are as important as having more green grass to enjoy year-round.

“We have always believed we provided a product that is a lifestyle choice in addition to being a common-sense landscaping alternative,” said Larry Reno, district manager of NewGrass Landscape & Design.

CALGREEN will require in part that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials.

Traditional turf lawns such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and Bermuda grass drink up as much as 70% of a California homeowner’s water consumption. Synthetic lawns like NewGrass not only don’t require water (except an occasional spray to clean them), they also keep the groundwater safe and reduce maintenance expenses because they don’t require pesticides or fertilizers.
In fact, a NewGrass synthetic lawn installed in Southern California can be expected to show a return on investment in less that 4½ years, based with data from actual customers, Reno said.

For more information about CALGREEN, click here.