Q. Hey Mackenzie. What are the best materials to incorporate for an eco-friendly home and how/where? I recently ate at a restaurant with all re-purposed floors from an old barn. What are other examples of incorporating re-purposed materials in the home?
-Sandra (Sonoma, CA)
A. Thanks for your question, Sandra! Today there are an endless supply of products available that claim to be “eco-friendly” or “natural.” The green movement is wonderful, but you really have to do your research to find out if a product actually is an eco-friendly product. There is no simple answer that applies all of the time. For example, did you know that products labeled “free range” don’t actually require that the animal was ever outdoors? Meat labeled “natural” is allowed to contain artificial ingredients. This is the mixed up world we live in and it can be tough to navigate what is truly eco-friendly.
The information we have about what is green is constantly evolving and gets very complex. Luckily, there are some third party agencies (that means they don’t make money off of the product) that help to certify certain products so we know they meet certain environmental standards. For example:
- Wood should be Forest Stewardship Council certified (FSC-certified).
- Food and cotton fabric products should be United States Department of Agriculture Certified (USDA- certified).
-Appliances should be Energy Star certified.
-Greenguard is a certification system for building materials, furniture, furnishings, finishes, cleaning products, electronics, and consumer products that ensures they do not emit toxins.
- LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council ensures that buildings, both residential and commercial, meet the strictest environmental standards.
When it comes to products for your home, the Green Home Guide launched by the U.S. Green Building Council is a really thorough source of information for any product you are considering putting in your home. Visit www.greenhomeguide.com to get your questions answered by a sustainability expert. Consumer Reports also has www.greenerchoices.org to try to help you sort out who is being honest about their eco-friendly product claims.
Along with certification, you want to use common sense. For example, an antique mill stone might be the perfect repurposed, environmentally friendly garden decor… unless it is in England right now and needs shipped across the ocean. At that point, the repurposing ceases to be eco-friendly. Also, make sure that the product makes sense in the environment where you live. Don’t plant a green roof in Arizona where it will require millions of gallons of water to be moved from other states to grow your organic basil on site.
Let’s start with some inspiration. Here are some of my favorite out-of-the box ideas for repurposing:
Repurposed picture frames add interest to the ceiling of this home
Shipping Containers function as Keetwonen college dormitory in Amsterdam
More College Dormitories made from repurposed shipping containers. These were built by Cattani Architects in France
You may not be moving into a repurposed shipping container any time soon, but you can certainly do your part for sustainability by buying products that are eco-consious.
Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly and repurposed products:
Glass Kitchen Countertop
Cork Countertops by ECO Supply- These are actually very durable, have anti-microbial properties, and function very well as kitchen countertops! They have a polyurethane seal to protect them from dings.
This is the Cambria brand quartz countertop in White Cliff. Quartz composite countertops are an eco-friendly alternative to Granite (which is NOT eco friendly!). Quartz composite counters are stain resistant and non porous. They are also harder, stronger, and easier to care for than other stone surfaces. They have anti-microbial properties making them safe for your family. They are free of any formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and don't require sealing with any chemicals. Quartz composite countertops are available through SIlestone, Caesarstone, and Cambria. Cambria is the only one made in the US- which lowers carbon emissions during shipping, making it the most environmentally friendly of the three for US consumers.
Pendant light made from sunglasses by JP Meulendijks
The Sweater Rug from West Elm is made from organic cotton and wool
Ekla Home Camille Sofa is made from 100% US grown and milled organic cotton fabric. It is constructed of natural rubber, 100% US grown and milled wool, 100% cotton barrier cloth, FSC certified alder frame and legs, recycled steel springs and its' safe coat has no VOC stain.
Wood Chair by John Booth made from recycled wood and used pieces of furniture. Each chair is custom made based on the availability of materials that Booth finds. This chair even comes in a smaller size for children!
Soft Jute Collection from West Elm. Jute is a very environmentally friendly material.
Recycled Glass Vases from West Elm
Repurposed album covers made into coasters that come with a bowl made from the original vinyl record by Inoudidsattic on Etsy.com
The Iannone Design Kirei- Mod Coffee Table is made from the reclaimed stalks of the sorghum plant. The stalks are bonded using a formaldehyde free adhesive. Interior structure is made from FSC certified plywood cut from normally discarded scrap pieces.
Taxi Lamp by +Brauer made from repurposed materials
Repurposed wood headboard
Repurposed headboard from the back
Metro White End Table is made from FSC certified wood and 100% recycled aluminum
***I would love some feedback from my readers! Do you have any suggestions for great eco-friendly products? Do you have any suggestions about living a “greener” lifestyle? If so, PLEASE share them in the comments section of this post! Thanks!!
Useful link for comparing SFI vs FSC:
http://www.yale.edu/forestcertification/pdfs/auditprograms.pdf
I was clueless about all the certifications to look for, so this really helps. I love all the ideas too, great inspiration! Thank you, I really enjoy your blog. I may have to fly you out to California!
I really have a lot to learn about being creative with using organic and repurposed materials for my home. Since I am not a home owner, the few things that my boyfriend and I have done to our place is to use cfl light bulbs and use VOC free paint. They are easy things to do to start off your Eco freindly home!
Mackenzie, everything you have posted in your blog has been extremely helpful in thinking about future purchases.
These are some of the ways I have attempted to be environmentally friendly in my everyday living. In regards to eco-friendly decor, I buy all of my furniture used (except for my bed), I like the hunt and I think of it as a larger way to recycle. For home care, I use eco-friendly products and organic products, and all of the paper goods I buy are from recycled material. I also never leave the lights or the heat on when I am not at home. And, I recycle virtually everything!
That’s amazing Jenny! I wish more people would take the time to think about what they’re buying and attempt to prevent unnecessary waste! Bravo! Bravo!
Hi Mackenzie,
I have been looking for a VOC free couch for several months now. The couch shown on this post is elegant and beautiful. Do you mind sharing the link to site that sells it? I’ve searched for Ekia and get a lot of Ikea instead.
Much appreciated!
Hello. I commend you for being environmentally responsible as you search for a new sofa! Incase you haven’t found it, here is the link: http://www.eklahome.com/the-collection/camille-sofa/
Ah ha! It’s Ekla not Ekia! LOL!