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.

Post-consumer cups and packaging materials are now being transformed into elegant pieces of molding.   The process involves melting down the slew of white fluffy stuff into a near-liquid that settles in molds as long, solid pieces.  According to some estimates, polystyrene (the technical name for Styrofoam) waste products make up nearly a quarter of the trash in landfills. Now all of the styrofoam that comes with a new computer that aren’t traditionally recycled can actually be broken down into smaller parts and recast as totally new products.

The best part about a wood-alternative like styrofoam?  The light weight molding requires no fancy equipment like hammers and nails or saws and sandpaper.  All you need is some caulk, and the molding should stay adhered to your ceiling or wall for upwards of 30 years.  What’s more, the product is typically less expensive than wood.  Don’t you love it when the small changes you make to green your home are good for the environment, and your wallet.

For more information about the recycling process, check out PlanetGreen’s interview video with Todd Sutton.

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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.

I remember seeing compost toilets out in the middle of a national park. It made sense there and I was willing to do my part by tossing in a handful of compost material after I finished my visit to the outhouse. But there are several versions of these no-water, environmentally-friendly toilets available for purchase and home installation.

What is a composting toilet?

A toilet which use little or no water and treats toilet wastes on-site for reuse as valuable compost.

How do they work?

Composting toilets use “oxygen loving-bacteria present in human waste to do the work.” They do not require water hook-ups and they let nature’s decomposition process reduce waste by about 90 percent. With the proper installation and equipment, there is no odor, nor do you have to use bugs or worms to aid the process.

A composting toilet can be used just like a regular toilet. The biggest difference is that you toss in a scoop of compost mix after each use—instead of flushing. You do have to empty the compost tray occasionally, but you are emptying environment-enhancing composted soil. There are many different designs of composting toilets, but all carry out this basic process of aerobic decomposition.

There is a free on-line book entitled The Humanure Handbook. It probably is in the category of “too much information,” but if you’re serious about the specific workings of composting toilets—this may be the book for you. Another excellent resource is the “Composting Toilets Systems Book” that gives you info and options for not only composting toilets, but for installation of greywater systems as well.

What do they cost?

Many individuals make their own very inexpensive versions. There are several companies that make compost toilets that won’t leave you yearning for the “olden days” of flush toilets. They are good looking and highly functional. They started at about $1500 and go up to about $3000, but that is a drop in the bucket compared to installing a septic system or a city-wide sewer system. When you start calculating water savings (each American spends about $30 a year just on toilet water) and the positive environmental impact (no waste, just a usable end product), composting toilets become a very attractive option.

Are they approved by health authorities and do they meet building codes?

Check with your municipality. If you have access to a city sewer system, you’ll need to ask a lot of questions. Some municipalities allow them—those who are well-informed and have experience with composting toilets. In areas where there is no sewer system available and water is limited, there is usually no problem. Some building codes require, at a minimum, that the septic system be installed and then you can install your composting toilet —a ridiculous waste of money, I know. There are many individuals and organizations working to change these outdated, environmentally unsound building codes and requirements. Perhaps you can be the first in your area to help educate and get the changes made.

The final word

If you only trust government recommendations, then you’ll want to visit the EPA’s “Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Composting Toilets.” It’ll give you some history as well as the pros and cons of owning a composting toilet.

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It’s easy to finish construction of even the most environmentally sound building, and even easier to demolish one, without regard to the waste products of construction.  Astonishingly, building waste accounts for nearly HALF of all trash in landfills across the United States.  This can be quite easily avoided—and should be.

Salvaging and recycling materials from old construction projects is one of the most important steps in the green building movement.  To reduce landfill accumulation AND the need for raw materials…now that is green.   Fortunately, there has been an increase in material salvage services to sell and to take second hand building parts.  Habitat for Humanity is always looking for used home improvement goods.  Another option is to check out your local freecycle.com to buy and sell reclaimed materials!

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Design teams are competing to make your hotel room greener.  The US Green Building Council has joined forces with The American Society of Interior Designers and The Hospitality Industry Network to launch the Sustainable Suite Design Competition.  The winning sustainable suite will be on display May 2010 at the Hospitality Design Expo (HDExpo) in Las Vegas, NV.
Hotels have given the nod to green (and savings) through low-flow showerheads, in-room recycling bins, and allowing guests to put the hold on towel and sheet changes.  LEED-certified element Hotels boast recycled carpet, low-VOC paints, and bathroom dispensers in lieu of individual bottles.  With fresh innovation, who knows what’s next?

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