15 Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas
Going green with your home improvement projects has never been easier. Use one (or all) of these 15 eco-friendly home improvement ideas and you’ll be sure to get a product that’s not only easy on the eyes but also easy on the environment.
1. Bamboo Plywood- This sustainable material reaches maturity in just four years and uses low VOC adhesives to seal the laminates.
2. Synthetic Grass- Stays cut and green for years with no water, mowing or fertilizers. It’s also 100 percent recyclable.
3. Soy-Based Stains- Without the need for toxic acids, soy-based stains work great for both interior and exterior applications.
4. Carpet Remnant Tiles- These 80-100 percent recycled carpet fibers are easy to install and look good with any interior design project.
5. Composite Decking- Made from recycled plastic resins and left over wood materials, Composite woods are strong, light, durable and impervious to insects and decay.
6. Paper-Based Countertops- Using recycled paper materials and tree pulp from managed forests, paper countertops are a durable and stain resistant alternative to laminate countertops.
7. Tire Mulch- When trees and shrubs need mulching, opt for a 100 percent recycled tire mulch. It helps keep moisture in the ground and keeps tires out of the landfill.
8. Forest Stewardship Council- Forest Stewardship Council ensures that all of the lumber marked with their stamp of approval is guaranteed that it was harvested from a sustainably managed forest.
9. Linoleum- This classic floor covering is made from linseed oil and wood flour. It’s 100 percent recyclable, lasts for years and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from.
10. Recycled Glass Countertops- Made using recycled crushed glass, fly ash and concrete, glass countertops have the look, strength and scratch resistance that granite countertops have.
11. Sorghum Wood- Sorghum grass is pressed together under immense heat to create this durable and ecologically friendly plywood product.
12. Cork Flooring- The ultimate managed wood, cork trees are stripped of a 1/3 of its bark and allowed to regenerate new bark that will be harvested again, never killing the tree during the process.
13. Wool Carpet- Using sheep’s wool and other natural resins and fibers, wool carpet is 100 percent recyclable, lasts for years and comes in a wide variety of colors.
14. No VOC Paints- Volatile organic compounds in paint can release toxic gases into your home for years. Apply a no VOC paint to prevent off-gassing that can ruin indoor air quality.
15. Solar Tubes- Get natural light to your home anywhere you need it using a solar tube. These solar tubes reflect sunlight around vents, wires and plumbing pipes making them the ultimate pollution free lighting source.
