Wooden decks and railings are hard to maintain, not to mention being splinter territory. What’s more, they’re not usually environmentally sustainable due to their use of premium forest products. For this reason alone Recycled composite decking is by far the best and coolest alternative to wood. This stuff looks like wood but feels like heaven. Manufactured from old plastic bottles makes it durable and resilient.

Pearly white molding neatly lining the ceiling and floors — a classic interior decorating touch that we all know and love. Most homeowners choose different types of wood, painted white, for their molding in their new homes—and why wouldn’t they? That has been the only option . . . until now, that is. We now have a new product that looks identical to wood, but has recycles wasted materials—Introducing recycled styrofoam molding.

While pine makes a great mulch, other tree products that have the same characteristics might be slightly more sustainable. Eucalyptis, for example, grows rapidly like bamboo and is highly abundant, allowing it to be harvested and regenerated in a more predictable manner than pine. But remember, it is usually more sustainable and simple to use whatever product grows nearest you.

Okay, toilet talk probably isn’t your favorite topic. When you think about the fact that the average American wastes 7,665 gallons of water each year just flushing the toilet—suddenly toilet talk raises to the level of appropriate and relevant conversation.

Rainwater harvesting is “the process of intercepting storm-water runoff and putting it to beneficial use.” Pretty simple concept. Oddly enough, it is illegal in some states. The Colorado legislature, in its 2009 session, legalized rainwater harvesting for residents with private wells. Other states and municipalities are in the process of changing their laws.