To me, there are so many factors that can make something green.
• content: what is it made of?
• location: where is it coming from?
• chemicals: does it contain or use harmful chemicals?
• recyclable: can it be recycled?
• renewable: is it an easily renewable resource?
• sustainable: can it be sustained by regrowing it over and over over?
• reused: are you keeping it from the landfills?
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Being green is tough when you really look into it. You hear everywhere how green bamboo is because it grows and regrows so quickly, but that doesn't mean it is the greenest option. For the real answers you also need to find out more about what it is combined with and where it is coming from. Many bamboo products are made using adhesives containing urea-formaldehyde, that has been labeled a human carcinogen and come from Asia, meaning a long boat ride over to the US. So, even though the original product may be "green" the outcome or final product may be far from it. At the same time, just because it may take an oak tree 120 years to grow to maturity, you may be able to find it from a more local FSC-certified forest and create an end product that doesn't use urea-formaldehyde in its adhesive. Therefore, you have found yourself a product that is sustainably harvested, has a short trip to make and doesn't affect your health with harmful carcinogens.
When it comes to the "reused" aspect of being green, I am big on the idea of antiques or already existing furnishings so that nothing new has to be made. Don't like it the way you see it? There is so much you can do to make something old, new again. Paint the piece with zero or low VOC paint to modernize it or reupholster it in natural fibers such as cotton or linen.
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You also have to remember that being green in design goes beyond just the furnishings and accessories to how you use them after installation. You may have just finished your "green" kitchen but you don't want to undo all your work but filling your sink cabinet with a number of harmful cleaning products that will off-gas just what you have worked so hard to do without. Don't worry, there are plenty of "green" cleaning products out there for you to use. Need a little "green" help in your home? Check out the New Green Housewife blog for some wonderful ideas.
What is your favorite way to be "green"?
2 comments:
I've really been trying lately to buy "green" clothing, and made in the USA if i can help it! Being what times are today, more and more manufactures seem to be offering sustainable clothing, so that is exciting! Buying in the USA means to me that hopefully i'm not supporting so much what is most likely a poor labor condition where employees are paid little, and the clothing is then imported here, and sold for ridiculously high prices. I have certainly not done enough research on the topic of sweatshops, so i know this is not all inclusive, and don't mean to sterotype. Some designers who still manufacture overseas do try to make it clear about the condidtions in which their clothing is made, to appeal to the conscious consumer. MODCLOTH.com sells "indie" clothing. Not only is most stuff made locally by independent designers, it's super unique too and most likely you won't see your article of clothing on anyone else! Some items can get pricy, but always check out the sale and clearance, and sometimes the price is worth the reassurance you are dressing "green and sustainalby!" And never forget good old Thrift stores! If i had more time, i love to find reused clothing and spice it up! :)
That first comment was posted by Natalie, but she can't get the profile thingy to work, so it says anonymous!
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