A green kitchen begins with the most eco-friendly countertop. You want something that is as durable or beautiful as Corian or granite, but measures up to the highest standards for your family’s health and the environment. Luckily, many products you thought were not “green” may actually surprise you, as more countertop companies are now making their entire manufacturing operations sustainable.
However, out of the slew of options out there, there are a few that are not so eco-friendly. Granite, marble, quartz, engineered stone, and laminates are usually not the most sustainable. The use of raw materials is the biggest factor here. Granite, for example, requires lots of energy and disruption of land to be mined. Engineered stone, comprised of quartz, shares this negative impact on the environment, and additionally uses some harsh pigments in its production. Most of your traditional options use sealants with VOCs and other environmental contaminants. Another issue with granite is the risk of radon radiation into your home.
So what options are out there for the health and eco-conscious? The coolest alternatives are surfaces made from recycled materials, most notably glass. Companies like IceStone and Vetrazzo have paved the way for extremely durable, beautiful countertops made from at least 75% recycled glass with a concrete composite. IceStone is particularly committed to green design; it has been awarded the coveted MBDC Cradle to Cradle award for the thoroughness of its sustainable practices.
In addition to glass, other recycled products can be transformed into your kitchen surface. One company, called Paperstone, uses compressed recycled paper and petroleum-free resins made from cashew nuts! You wouldn’t think paper would act as a very resilient countertop, but this product is actually incredibly durable and has received great ratings.
What about wood and concrete? Concrete is a bit less expensive, very heat resistant and can be morphed into any shape you desire. It is also considered to be “green” by many sources, as recycled aggregate is often used. Its also much easier to chose your own sealer: low VOC-emitting sealants are easy to find. Wood surfaces are generally durable and easy to clean; they are also available with forest products certified by FSC, making them just as green as the recycled glass.
The key to finding an eco-friendly surface is to be prepared for the maze of impressive sounding eco-labels. To be competitive, all top-of-the-line countertop companies are saying they’re “green” in some way. This is particularly true with the granite, quartz and marble countertop manufacturers, who may have made some green steps in their operations, but at the end of the day, mining is still incredibly environmentally unfriendly. Make sure you do the research on all of the eco certifications before you are greenwashed into thinking a product is completely sustainable.
So you’re building a new home, or adding an addition, and you want to pursue the most sustainable options available. Surprisingly, soy and bio-based materials have recently been spotlighted by the green building industry as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional insulation like fiberglass. Home and Garden TV recently featured a home being sprayed with white goop in between the 2-by-4s of the new walls that expands as it dries. Soy insulation is apparently safer for human health and for the environment. It might even cut back on the amount of wood needed for construction, as the substance’s insulating properties are so great. And, as a biopolymer, soy won’t support the growth of mold or attract hungry critters living in your basement.
With bio-based building products, there is no risk of coming into contact with formaldehydes or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It has proven very effective for people with severe allergies. As far as energy efficiency, it has a high thermal insulation capacity to keep heating bills down and fewer resources used for energy generation.
The United Soybean Board is working hard to promote the application of soy in industrial and building projects. Currently, BioBased Insulation is one of the leading manufacturers of the soy foam insulation that is used in new construction projects. The product is sprayed on in liquid form, dries and expands up to 100 times its original size, completely filling in all holes and giving your home air-tight protection.
If you’re looking to build up LEED credits, the soy-foam insulation can count significantly towards your certification. Apply it towards a number of different LEED categories: Energy Efficiency, Low-Emitting Materials, Rapidly Renewable Materials, or Innovation in Design.
Another word about safety—bio-based insulation is virtually fireproof. It has a class I rating according to the National Fire Protection Association, meaning that it won’t go up in flames.
We can pretty much all recognize that particular odor, the ‘new carpet’ smell. Whether in a new office building or a renovated room in the house, it’s usually advisable to immediately ventilate the space so that head-ache inducing smell can dissipate. So what is causing that, anyway?
New carpets can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used in the latex backing and adhesives, as well as the carpet itself. The particular ‘new carpet’ odor is usually caused by 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH) which is emitted from the styrene butadiene rubber that is used to hold carpet fibers and backing together. Some of these chemicals can adversely affect indoor air quality, and can cause occupants to feel dizzy or have trouble breathing. Since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors, indoor air quality is becoming a critical component of staying healthy and re-affirming the importance of using green products in our environments.
The Carpet and Rug Institute conducts research to bring manufacturers, designers, architects and home-owners accurate information about carpets and carpet adhesives. They put together a program in 1992 called the Green Label program, and have recently added the Green Label Plus program which tests carpet, cushions and adhesives for VOCs. Their research enables customers to buy products with the lowest VOC emissions on the market, thus improving their health and surrounding environment.
FLOR, a company selling modular carpeting by the square, is innovative both in its environmental practices and its design. They manufacture 19.7 inch square carpet tiles, which can be mixed and matched to create unique, personalized design solutions for any size space. If a house guest accidentally spills some red wine on the new carpet it’s not a problem. Just pull up the tile, send it back to FLOR for a replacement, pop in the new tile and it’s as good as new. These tiles are not only beautiful and versatile, but also extremely eco-friendly.
Not only do most styles of FLOR meet the CRI’s Green Label Plus program, but they go a bit further to try to participate in a closed-loop product cycle. The tiles are originally made from renewable and recycled materials, and when a customer is done with their carpeting (or decide it’s time for a design change), they can send the tiles back to FLOR where the old carpet will be recycled into new products. Rather than sending old carpet directly to the landfill, FLOR is working to dramatically reduce waste and to keep their products both beautiful by design and by indoor air quality standards.
When it comes to purchasing new carpet for a renovated room, or a new house, make sure to do your green homework. The Carpet and Rug Institute has given us the means to make more sound, environmentally-conscious decisions while companies are getting in line to produce the most beautiful, versatile, and green products on the market.
In green building, using a healthy and eco-friendly finish is just as important as selecting the right material. When it comes to wood flooring, green builders have a wide array of products at their fingertips.
When choosing a wood floor finish, first consider your needs and maintenance capabilities. If you spill on your floor, will you clean it up right away? Are you willing to maintain your floor from time to time with additional coatings? If you want an essentially waterproof floor with maximum stain resistance, stick with the green products that are basically less stinky (and therefore less toxic) polyurethanes. If you want to go ultra natural and are willing to reapply every couple of years, use a natural oil. Even among natural oils, there are products with and without additives.
For you waterproofers out there:
Poly-Soy is an ultra-low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) topcoat that can be used on wood, plaster, stucco, and concrete. It works equally well over bare, stained, or painted surfaces and is strong enough to stand up to commercial foot traffic. One gallon covers approximately 400 to 500 square feet. If you’re seeking LEED certification credits, Poly-Soy is a great choice.
Bioshield’s Aqua Resin Floor Finish is another good choice for a tough, durable coating. Their VOC count of 115 grams per liter is low, but not quite as low as Poly-Soy’s 25 grams per liter.
Safecoat Polyureseal is so tough it’s recommended for gym floors. Comparable to Bioshield, Safecoat’s VOC content is 110 grams per liter.
Even though oil floor finishes are not waterproof, a nice advantage is the ease with which they can be spot-repaired. Just rub it in, wipe off the excess! If you want a finish based in natural oils, choices abound:
Rubio Monocoat, as the name implies, needs only one coat. Made from flax, free of VOCs and completely plant-based, it bonds to the surface molecularly. Application is simple: Clean the sanded wood. Apply the Monocoat. Wait five minutes, and wipe away the excess. Touch-ups are easy because it will only bond to exposed wood, covering the surface easily. Beyond floors, Monocoat can be used on furniture and even outdoors. It comes in a clear finish or over thirty different shades.
The noble hempseed provides a beautiful and natural floor finish product, although the floor will require a bit more maintenance. Homestead House Paint Company sells a hemp oil wood finish that is solvent-free and 100% natural. Reapplied to the floor every two years, hemp oil lends water resistance and a rich finish. Unlike products that apply a surface film, hemp oil penetrates throughout the wood, so there is no brittle top layer to scratch and chip. Hemp oil is petrochemical free and perfect for the chemically sensitive.
Bioshield’s oil finishes are primarily linseed and tung oil based. They are mixed with resin and highly breathable and elastic. Their floor solutions are a bit tougher than oil alone but still low in toxicity.
With so many green floor finish products available now, there is a fit for every preference and price point.
A green kitchen begins with the most eco-friendly countertop. You want something that is as durable or beautiful as Corian or granite, but measures up to the highest standards for your family’s health and the environment. Luckily, many products you thought were not “green” may actually surprise you, as more countertop companies are now making their entire manufacturing operations sustainable.
So what options are out there for the health and eco-conscious? The coolest alternatives are surfaces made from recycled materials, most notably glass. Companies like IceStone and Vetrazzo have paved the way for extremely durable, beautiful countertops made from at least 75% recycled glass with a concrete composite. IceStone is particularly committed to green design; it has been awarded the coveted MBDC Cradle to Cradle award for the thoroughness of its sustainable practices.
The key to finding an eco-friendly surface is to be prepared for the maze of impressive sounding eco-labels. To be competitive, all top-of-the-line countertop companies are saying they’re “green” in some way. This is particularly true with the granite, quartz and marble countertop manufacturers, who may have made some green steps in their operations, but at the end of the day, mining is still incredibly environmentally unfriendly. Make sure you do the research on all of the eco certifications before you are greenwashed into thinking a product is completely sustainable.
The 
New carpets can emit 
FLOR
Not only do most styles of FLOR meet the CRI’s Green Label Plus program, but they go a bit further to try to participate in a closed-loop product cycle. The tiles are originally made from renewable and recycled materials, and when a customer is done with their carpeting (or decide it’s time for a design change), they can send the tiles back to FLOR where the old carpet will be recycled into new products. Rather than sending old carpet directly to the landfill, FLOR is working to dramatically reduce waste and to keep their products both beautiful by design and by indoor air quality standards.
