We’ve all heard of LEED certification, but a lesser-known set of green building guidelines is going strong in the Southeastern United States. The Earthcraft designation overlaps with Energy Star guidelines, and incorporates building practices optimized for the climate and environment of the Southeast.
Keeping the lights off in unoccupied rooms is a sure-fire way to save money on your power bills. And now you can take the “forgetful human” element out of the equation.
All too often, hinges, doorknobs, drawer pulls, and other vintage hardware are caked with ugly layers of paint. But you can bring them back to life without a single toxic chemical – just throw them in your crock pot.
Cork countertops are both eco-friendly and stylish. So what if you could enjoy a cork countertop without the waste and expense of removing your old counter? SoyTuf has the solution, a do-it-yourself system called ReCork which allows homeowners to refinish existing surfaces with cork.
Homeowners love the warmth, comfort and quiet of carpeted floors. Unfortunately, traditional carpets can contain nasty chemicals like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and their resource-intensive manufacturing process can be extremely wasteful. FLOR aims to change all that, offering high-performance flooring with an emphasis on sustainability all the way from its design to disposal.
EcoTop is an innovative composite material for countertops and work surfaces, made from recycled paper and renewable bamboo. The FSC-certified material was developed by KlipTech’s Joel Klippert, who was the driving force behind PaperStone before moving on to introduce EcoTop.
Traditional demolition can be extremely wasteful, so we’re a huge fan of deconstruction to preserve reusable materials. Massachusetts-based EcoBuilding Bargains is a unique business that cuts construction waste and saves money for customers, by offering both deconstruction services and a retail outlet for all those reclaimed building materials.
A high-quality polyurethane finish is the key to preserving wood furniture and floors. Unfortunately, traditional petroleum-based products (and even many water-based finishes) contain some pretty nasty chemicals. Produced in Vermont using whey protein from the dairy industry, PolyWhey is a natural, safe, and durable alternative to these toxic finishes.
Habitus Finishes, based in New York City, offers cork mosaic tiles that provide a beautiful and sustainable surface for floor and wall coverings.
Benetti Stone Philosophy, an Italian home design firm, is offering a unique and environmentally friendly option for tiling surfaces. Called “IvoryDream”, the material is durable and attractive, and comes entirely from tropical palm trees.
