Ergo-Eco is founded on the philosophy that more ergonomic work clothes and tools, along with green and sustainable building materials, will improve the safety of working conditions and enable ecologically-minded building projects. New designs in work wear have produced clothing which helps protect a worker’s knees and back, some of the highest instances of construction-related injuries. Recent advances in technology have also improved the design and performance of ergonomic hand and power tools and now there are many products which have been tested and proven to reduce work-related injuries, especially those caused by repetitive movements, vibration, and airborne dust particles. Many green and sustainable building materials are now available as the shift toward green building practices take hold in California and the country at large. In addition, green and sustainable building materials reduce the environmental impact of construction and improve the environmental conditions of dwellings and structures through their non-toxic and renewable nature.

In our opinion, Los Angeles is a model market for an ergonomic and ecologic building store. City dwellers are more environmentally aware. They realize the importance of protecting one's body as a health issue, and are interested in exploring alternatives when it comes to choosing building products. With the high rate of new home construction and home renovation products, homeowners and contractors are finding more ecologically friendly alternatives when selecting products for their projects. The inclusion of these products in a building project can contribute to LEED certification points for green building requirements, and inhabitants of an eco-friendly building can breathe easier (literally!) knowing that the products used to build the structure are non-toxic and renewable.

The goal of this enterprise is to bring an accessible resource to the citizens and builders of the Greater Los Angeles area. In time, we hope to see a shift in the mentality and practices of the construction industry toward a more ergonomic and ecologic way of working and building, and we will further this idea by the products and services offered by Ergo-Eco.

Abdi LaRue, founder, Ergo-Eco