The Godfather of NYC Green. We met Bart Bettencourt a few years back at Brooklyn Designs and added him to the blog right away. Since then, green has grown and so has his business and reach. Since green design is our future, it's a good thing that SOMEONE has been doing their homework.
Bettencourt calls his company the Bettencourt Green Building Supply Co. despite the fact that he is a designer and cabinetmaker as well. His designs, featured at www.bettencourtwood.com/bb/, made out of sustainable woods with names like Plyboo, Environ, Dakota Burl, and BIOFIBER Decorative Wheat composite...
They can be found at 
Problems? Bettencourt's designs are not as distinctive as we would like, and his materials take main stage. With this sort of pioneering to be done, it will grow even more exciting when riskier, beautiful and simply just more solutions overtake the Plyboo.
I bought my Plyboo flooring and Paperstone counter tops from Bettencourt and Bart was helpful enough to go into detail about the product from a usability perspective for me as well as installation perspective for my contractor. If only they had a an actual showroom to give the products their due...
view Craig's profile
I just received a Scrapile table I'm using for a client -- it's beautiful! My millwork guy told me that Scapile (the top imageâ the collaborative of Bettencourt & Salgado) is no longer doing these recycled, pressed "scrap" wood pieces. It's too expensive for them(??). From the "where to buy" page from their site, it appears only one store is remaining that allows you to purchase their work. Am I starting rampant rumors or can somebody confirm this?
view juetron's profile
Jason, I believe that is true. We bought some plyboo from Bart, and he was kind enough to drive my husband home with the plyboo (we all live in Jackson Heights) and I believe he said he was just focusing on the business of green building supplies for right now. I could be mistaken, but that's what I remember.
view fiona's profile
In response to Jason , We are still in business and creating our collection from repurposed pieces of wood. I am not sure where you are getting your information from. As for the retailers on our page, two of the nyc locations where our product was available closed their doors. we will be selling through ABC in the Fall. As for the other retailers in the U.S.( on the same page) they still take orders from our collection. please do your research before posting such things. Thank you.
view Carlos(Scrapile)'s profile
It's confirmed ... I am starting rampant rumors. Thank you for clarifying Carlos. I love the piece we got & my client does too. Congratulations on ABC. I'll promptly cane my millworker & I look forward to seeing your future work.
view juetron's profile