Side Story: Backyards Go Green

Words: Dan KamysOctober 2008

Green Building

Eco friendly landscape design

By Elizabeth Lexau

Today's homeowners are environmentally savvy, which is apparent in the home landscape. "More homeowners want yards that are beautiful, comfortable and eco friendly," says Scott Cohen, president and supervising designer for The Green Scene, an award-winning outdoor design and construction firm. Cohen is known for his unique designs that put recycled materials, particularly wine bottles, to beautiful use. Shimmering wine bottle waterfalls, multi-colored mosaics of glittering broken glass, and outdoor kitchen counters constructed of hundreds of recycled bottles, are just a few of his signature pieces. [caption id="attachment_9156" align="alignnone" width="417"]Image Courtesy of www.greenscenelandscape.com Image Courtesy of www.greenscenelandscape.com[/caption] "Recycling can be incorporated into every aspect of landscape installation," says Cohen. "For example, when we remove an old concrete patio or driveway, we don't bring it to a landfill. Instead, we take it to a company that processes it into a substitute for crushed stone, which we then use for a variety of purposes in the landscape. We also use recycled mulch made from shredded urban forest products. We even recycle the plastic containers from new plants. There are so many ways to reuse old stuff." "Low-voltage landscape lighting is getting better all the time," says Cohen. "New LED bulbs deliver high-quality light with four-times the energy efficiency of incandescent lights. We also like the decking made from recycled plastic and wood shavings. It performs well and keeps its color without the need for stains or paints that contain harmful chemicals. About Scott Cohen/The Green Scene Scott Cohen is a two-time Master's Of Design award winner. His work is featured on HGTV and in national magazines and books. Cohen's designs are available for purchase from www.Fetch-A-Sketch.com. Visit The Green Scene Web site, www.greenscenelandscape.com. Return to Table of Contents
HangTite Blended Cement Products Joins the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program as a Gold Partner
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that HangTite Blended Cement Products has joined the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program (MAP) at the Gold Level.

Industry News
Read More
ONE Spokane Stadium: A Unifying Force in Spokane’s Downtown Core
November 2025

Located in the vibrant arts and entertainment district of Spokane, Washington, ONE Spokane Stadium is a beacon of community, sport, and culture, showcasing the best of multifunctional urban design. Spearheaded by ALSC Architects, the stadium was designed

John Cicarelli
Case Study
Read More
MCAA And Alan Pettingale Announce Strategic Partnership To Restore America’s Masonry
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has established a strategic partnership with Alan Pettingale, President and Founder of Specialized Masonry Restoration and creator of the Brick Talk Live podcast and Masonry Restoration Magazine. The par

Dan Kamys
Industry News
Read More
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions Renews Cornerstone Partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that Westlake Royal Stone Solutions will renew its distinguished Cornerstone partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

Industry News
Read More