Eco-Home Renovations

Save the World One Room at a Time

By Mark Henricks

True Green?

Dozens of industry associations, building codes and other sources set their own ‘green’ standards.

“There’s a legitimate concern of greenwashing,” says Stowe Hartridge-Beam, program manager for environmentally preferable products at SCS Certified, an environmental certification lab in Emeryville, California. Greenwashing means a company will label a product as “green” or environmentally safe, but in actuality, it is not. To avoid greenwash, consider relying on these authorities:

The Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Trade Commission, have
cooperated on guidelines for green product labels, which state that environmentally preferable products have a reduced effect on human health and the environment compared to other products performing the same function. Other guidelines govern claims from recycled content to biodegradability.

One of the third-party certifications performed by a reputable laboratory is the Environmental Claims
Certification Program of Scientific Certification Systems. It certifies claims for recycled fiber, biodegradability, no-VOCs and other issues, using a rigorous system of lab tests, document review and on-site inspections.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) four-level rating system has become the benchmark in commercial construction. A new LEED for residential construction is in draft. There is no LEED for remodeling as yet.

With a wide range of “green” concerns surrounding remodeling projects—from individual and home health issues to broad environmental impact— John Happel, the owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen® in Broomsfield, Colorado, has some good news: There are more options than ever. “And these green products are getting more beautiful,” says Happel. “It used to be you had to be a real diehard to love them. Now they are more mainstream.”
For clients with allergies, tile flooring is ideal. Those primarily concerned about the energy toll, however, may find that efficient appliance choices fit the bill. Others who are more concerned about their collective imprint on the environment, have even more factors to consider.

Lay a good foundation
Starting from the ground up, remodelers will find many environmentally preferable flooring options. Ceramic tile’s long life, low toxicity and easy-cleaning characteristics make it a viable choice for high-traffic areas. If it contains some recycled content, it’s an even better choice. Some other green options include:
• Bamboo planks, harvested from fast-growing managed plantations.
•Comfortable and low-maintenance cork flooring, which comes from renewable trees and some with recycled content.
• Easy-cleaning, soft-walking and durable rubber flooring, made from renewable rubber-tree sap or recycled tires—or both.
• Glass tiles made from recycled content—energy-saving alternatives to ceramic and other hard-surface flooring.

• Long-wearing conventional hardwood flooring
such as oak, which is eco-friendly if harvested from sustainable forests and can also be made from
recycled wood.
• Carpet made with recycled content or natural
fiber products.
• Stone, a durable—and au natural—choice.
• Venerable linoleum, which is largely made from renewable linseed oil, bark, wood and jute.
• Exotic eucalyptus wood flooring, cut from fast-growing Brazilian plantations.

Bring the green inside
Cabinets can also be made from renewable Lyptus wood, which comes highly recommended by Jan Brinckerhoff, a designer at the DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen® in Santa Maria, California. “It attracts attention even before its environmental traits come up,” Brinckerhoff says. Another green material choice for cabinetry is painted wheatboard, which is made from chopped wheat straws. Consider these other options for home interiors:
Finishes and sealants are also important to consider when choosing cabinets due to indoor air-quality concerns. The best green options—mostly water-based rather than oil-based—emit little or no volatile organic compounds. Low- and no-VOC products have little odor and don’t release significant levels of off-gas.
• Household appliances with the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star label are energy-efficient solutions that save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. More than 50 types of products can earn the designation, including dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners and air
conditioners, and ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Dual-flush toilets can reduce water use by nearly one-third.
• An Energy Star-qualified fluorescent light bulb
uses two-thirds less energy than a regular incandescent bulb.

Give away old treasures
The manner in which a remodel is conducted also affects environmental impact. Instead of junking cabinets, flooring or fixtures that are being replaced, homeowners should consider donating them to Habitat for Humanity or a local architectural salvage company. Some used remodeling materials can even be resold online or through newspaper classified ads.

Your Eco-Glossary

The latest trend in evaluating green products is assessing their total environmental impact over their full lifetime—from manufacturing, installation and maintenance to disposal or recycling.

Low VOC
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from some substances used to manufacture or treat remodeling materials and products. Paint, carpet and glue are common sources of VOCs, which concentrate indoors and can have substantial negative health effects.

Nontoxic
This is not an especially meaningful term by itself. Look for details such as whether a given product is poisonous to humans or other animals and plants.

Recycled
Recycled products are commonly identified as having a certain percentage of recycled content. Labels may say whether recycled material is post-consumer or pre-consumer—before consumers had them, usually from factory rejects or overruns.

Sustainably Harvested
A product is sustainably harvested when its rate of use is no greater than its rate of regeneration. Sustainable forestry, for example, is practiced when the quantity of lumber taken is less than or equal to the quantity produced by new tree growth.