REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Selecting interior finishes is often an exciting step of remodeling. Material colors and textures add character to a space; they allow us to express ourselves and make a house a home. Interior finishes can quickly become costly and many people are unaware of the health hazards or environmental impacts associated with certain products. It's important to educate yourself about the manufacturing process, durability, performance, and recyclability of interior finish products to maintain a healthy indoor environment and reduce environmental impacts.

Before you run to the home supply store for finish samples, take some time to look at what you can reuse or refurbish. Plan your remodel efficiently. The less you have to replace, the less you have to spend. Plus, it reduces the environmental impacts of your materials by needing fewer materials and diverts unnecessary waste from the landfill. Consider reclaiming and re-purposing products from other locations in your home or salvage stores. For example, old wood floors could be refinished or re-purposed to become accent walls or work surface; the possibilities are endless! After you've exhausted all of your repairing, reusing, and re-purposing resources, look to new materials.

If you must purchase new products look for item that can be recycled at the end of their life. When removing old materials, identify proper disposal methods. If you hire a construction waste hauler, choose one that sorts and recycles waste. Be aware of city ordinances that mandate where and how certain waste is disposed. Separate recyclables, hazardous, yard, and landfill waste. Most counties have annual pick-ups and drop points for appliances, organics, and hazardous waste products. Learn more