The Greenest Building…

…is the one that’s already built, according to the Trust for Architectural Easements (TAE), one of the largest preservation easement holding organizations in the nation. The organization protects over 800 historical buildings in the U.S. The “greenest building” concept was first described in these terms by Carl Elefante.

But what does this concept mean? Aren’t new green buildings the way of the future?

According to TAE, “The Pew Center on Global Climate Change estimates that 43 percent of carbon emissions in the United States are attributable to energy used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, making the building sector the largest source of greenhouse gases in America. This figure does not even include the energy required to build new structures or to demolish established structures.”

As much as new green buildings are the boon to our continued interest in sustainable development, there is a great deal of misunderstanding in what is lost when older buildings are demolished in the name of progress. The main loss is what is known as “embodied energy,” the concept encompassing “the sum of all of the efforts in the building of the structure itself: the harvesting of organic resources plus the manufacturing development (making those materials into building materials), transportation and the building itself,” according to Lindsey Wallace, donor relations assistant for the TAE. “With new construction, you have to make all that, and it creates a lot of waste.”

The crucial element in the loss of embodied energy is that it cannot be regained. Granted, building salvage businesses are alive and well, but on the whole, a great deal of energy, carbon emissions, materials, time and labor are gone when a building is taken down.

According to Richard Moe, president for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “Demolishing a 50,000 square foot building creates 4,000 tons of waste, enough to fill 26 box cars – a train one-quarter mile long.” Additionally, “Constructing a new 50,000 square foot building releases as much carbon as driving a car 2.8 million miles.”

TAE also reports, “The Brookings Institution estimates that, at current rates, one third of the existing building stock in the United States will be demolished in the next 25 years. The refuse from construction, primarily from demolition, represents approximately 25 percent of the waste added to our landfills each year.”
New Vs. Old




“We’re not completely forgetting that new construction is ‘green,’ but it should be pointed out that some studies show that the rehab of a historic structure achieves the same energy efficiency,” said Heather Massler, director of operations and stewardship for TAE. When it comes to the environmental benefits of rehabilitating and retrofitting older structures, you may be surprised at your energy savings.

According to Moe, “It takes approximately 65 years for a green, energy-efficient building to recover the energy lost in demolition of an existing building even if 40 percent of the building materials from the demolition are recycled.”

A classic example of a reused, rehabilitated building is when an old factory (for example) is converted into loft apartments. Rather than tearing down the older structure and replacing it with a new high rise, the integrity of the structure itself remains (many people, in fact, enjoy the scuffed, burned or nicked floors and walls of buildings like these for their “character”) and the resources used to complete it in the first place are intact.

Massler also pointed out that if you’re looking to update your existing home, reaching for older materials is also a savings in energy. “Your choices are about consumption. Can I live with what I have, or does this really need to be replaced? Why rip out old floors to replace them with new bamboo? Old buildings usually have really durable materials, and there’s a whole salvage world out there.”
One With Nature

Another important consideration for older buildings is their use of the site on which they were constructed, or as Wallace put it, “taking advantage of how people have built for thousands of years.”

“Historic buildings already use the natural resources as much as possible [...] Several studies have shown that with proper repair and upkeep, they can be just as energy efficient,” said Massler.

Historic buildings typically have high ceilings, transoms and large windows for light and ventilation. Site selection and placement on the site, as well as porches and the use of landscaping, contribute to the efficient use of energy, according to TAE.

“People used to think about the site more, because modern conveniences weren’t already in place,” said Massler.

Along these lines, TAE reports that, “Data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency indicates that structures built prior to 1920 are more energy-efficient than those built through the year 2000, when the concept of sustainability began to take hold.”

Additionally, the General Services Administration estimates that the utility costs for historic buildings in its inventory are 27 percent less than for modern structures.
Economic Centers
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) found that utility costs for historic buildings were 27% lower than for more modern buildings. - Preservationnj.wordpress.com

Who knew older buildings used less average energy than their modern counterparts? Photo: Preservationnation.org

“As economist Donovan Rypkema has pointed out, preserving a building is equal to preserving land,” said Wallace. “When preserving buildings in an urban center, you’re discouraging sprawl. The focus on building rehab is about reinvesting in urban centers.”

“When we think of sustainable development, with preservation and rehabilitation, it also speaks to culture and economic sustainability which isn’t talked about as much, but is still as important,” said Massler. “If you are rehab-ing any building in a city, the labor costs are a lot more than the actual materials, helping provide jobs. For example, Rypkema said that if you spend more money on the labor, you’re spending more money for the economy, because the laborer will spend the money again.”

“The preservation community has been advocating for federal tax credits for rehab-ing for exactly this issue, especially for retrofits – using resources already there, specialized labor that pays better, they put people back to work,” said Wallace.
LEEDing on

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and a number of other organizations, are working with the U.S. Green Building Council (the council responsible for the LEED program) to incorporate more preservation aspects in LEED certification. In fact, the new 2009 LEED Green Building Rating Systems will reflect the sustainable benefits of historic preservation.

But what can you do in the meantime? Even if you don’t have a big preservation project in the works, little steps in your own home still make a big difference. According to Wallace, “small efforts like weather stripping, really do add to your energy savings.” Massler also added that, “Most people want to be green or want to help out in whatever way they can. Just thinking about it and being aware is the first step.”

The Hottest Trend in Eco Housing

Old shipping containers may not be the first resource that comes to mind when thinking of sustainable living options, but as an up-and-coming green manufacturing company has already proven, they just might be a viable option for those seeking to live in an eco-friendly environment.

Upcycle Living, a Phoenix-based construction firm, provides affordable ecological housing for residential communities around the world. In November 2009, a demonstration project at the Green Street Festival showed off what could be accomplished with four remodeled shipping containers.


“We have many ways that we can treat the exterior, and most of them involve putting an exterior skin on the container and concealing the steel from any direct radiation from the sun and also concealing it from view," says co-founder Jason Anderson. Photo: Upcycleliving.com

The display contained two floors, two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with stylish bamboo cabinets, dual-flush toilets, ENERGY STAR appliances and low-flow showerheads to boot.

“The inspiration for Upcycle Living came from our desire to create a quality housing project that was sustainable yet affordable, durable and mobile in nature,” says Ashton Wolfswinkel, co-founder of Upcycle Living.

As to why shipping containers are his company’s choice of material, he explains, “Shipping containers are very abundant, especially in our country where we import so much more than we export.”

“We thought they would be a great platform for us to start from since they are extremely durable and are designed to be shipped with heavy loads and to withstand the rigors of ocean travel,” he adds. “And because the shipping containers are so plentiful, we are able to get them at a reasonable price, thus allowing us to shift costs, to improve quality and make our homes more sustainable.”

The company’s innovative designs have already attracted a handful of clients throughout Arizona, with one couple now residing in the very first home that Upcycle Living constructed. In addition to these private projects, the firm is currently working on a larger-scale development, which entails providing affordable housing units for a Native American tribe.

Though Upcycle Living is a for-profit organization, Wolfswinkel hopes that once the company becomes a bigger presence in the world of sustainable living, it will be able to pursue nonprofit projects, such as donating housing units to low-income families.

With high hopes and big dreams for the future, Upcycle Living continually looks to better the quality and sustainability of its products by implementing smart and innovative designs. Photo: Upcycleliving.com

But even in an economy that is less than ideal, Upcycle Living is working hard to expand into a successful business.

“The only way we will be able to do this is to offer a superior product at a competitive price point,” Wolfswinkel explains. “We want to stay flexible enough to fulfill our customers’ wants and needs, yet still fit within their budget.”

“We hope to engage our customers in a way that makes sustainable living accessible to anyone who has the desire to live more consciously and become more aware of how we live and the impacts that we have on our environment,” co-founder Jason Anderson adds.

In light of the disaster in Haiti, Upcycle Living has already reached out to a number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on what the company can do to help.

“Shipping containers are a very versatile platform which we can convert into almost any type of structure that is needed,” Wolfswinkel says. “From medical operating rooms to basic shelter, we would like to offer our services to design and build structures that would help in the rebuilding of Haiti.”

South-Facing is Best—But What If My Home Is Already Built?

Maximizing energy efficiency starts with large south-facing windows, which help to naturally heat your home in the winter and keep it cool in the summer. Also known as passive solar design, this is a key element in new homes that are working towards zero carbon emissions. Natural sunlight controls temperatures and also reduces your building’s lighting requirements and can therefore cut back on your electricity bill.

But what if you have an existing non-south-facing home and you want similar effects?

While retrofitting existing buildings to utilize passive solar design tends to be difficult, there are some easy ways to capitalize on small changes.

* When possible, retrofit your home with skylights to allow natural light to penetrate.
* Replace your existing windows with double-paned glass. This prevents heat loss during the winter and keeps out the heat during the summer.
* To keep your home cool during summer months, install awnings or low-emissivity blinds over windows.
* Plant deciduous trees on the southern and western sides of your home. They’ll shield the sun in the summer, and with the loss of leaves in the fall and winter will still allow light to access your windows.
* Really take advantage of the sun: install a solar hot water system to heat your hydraulic radiant floor!

10-Minute Green Home Makeovers

We know it’s not spring yet, and you’re still donning that oversize wool coat and chunky scarf. But we admit that we are still in a post-holiday funk and are in serious need of some organization and motivation.

So we took a room-by-room tour around our own homes to find the solutions the your biggest clutter conundrums, disposal dilemmas and decorating difficulties.
Living Room
Problem: I have a truckload of defunct electronics.

No it’s not a good idea to set that bulky 1980s television on the curb in hopes that your trash collector will pick it up. E-waste is a serious issue for landfills because of the hazardous materials found in electronics (would you like some lead, mercury or cadmium in your drinking water?).

Look cozy? All you may need to spice up your living room is a simple change in the way it is lit
According to a new survey by Pike Research, the average consumer has 2.8 unused electronic devices sitting around the house.

Try searching for an e-waste event or recycling program in your local area on Earth911. Here are some other solutions we like:

DVDs and CDs – Two excellent resources for disc disposal are Back Thru the Future and the CD Recycling Center of America. While you pay the shipping costs, there is no recycling fee at either of these organizations. Remember to use the U.S. Postal Service’s “media rate” for the best prices.

Televisions – After television stations switched to digital signals in February 2009, the number of televisions disposed of increased. For information on television take-back programs and to see how well manufacturers scored on their recycling efforts, visit TakeBackMyTv.com.
Problem: My furniture is less than lack-luster.

This author had a bright red couch, which, at the time, seemed like smart and stylish purchase for her living room. But after countless movie nights, Sunday afternoon naps and TV marathons, that cherry red turned into a dull pink eyesore. But instead of buying a new couch (which could run you more than $1,000), consider using a slipcover. We really like Sure Fit, which has slipcovers of all brands for chairs, loveseats and sofas. If you’re really ambitious, you can even make your own cover.
Problem: It’s just not cozy.

It may not seem like a big deal, but the ambiance of your home is all about the way it’s lit. That off-balance ceiling fan may be directly affecting the “glow” of the room. But before you rip it out and spend hundreds to replace it, consider that it may just be the bulbs. Do you really need four 70-watt bulbs for 200 square feet? Probably not.

Make the switch to a more energy-efficient bulb. Yes, there will be an upfront cost. CFLs can cost up to 10 times more than an incandescent bulb, and the even more energy-efficient LEDs can cost up to $50 for a single bulb. However, the cost difference is typically negated both in energy bill savings and longevity of the bulb. Typical incandescent bulbs last only 1,000 to 2,000 hours, while some estimates quote LED lifespans from 25,000 to 50,000 hours.
Kitchen
Problem: My appliances are outdated.

Then you are one lucky consumer right now. Last the month, the government rolled out its Cash for Appliances program, which will utilize nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund a rebate program that encourages consumers to purchase ENERGY STAR certified appliances. But get out your checkbook. Be prepared to budget about $550 to $8,500 for a refrigerator and $250 to $1,650 for dishwasher. It may seem like more money, but you’ll save $240 to $340 annually.




Running out of cabinet space? Don't forget about your walls for your cookbooks, utensils and other odds and ends.
Problem: I have no space.

We’ve seen great cooks in kitchens that are too small to open the refrigerator and stove door at the same time (true story for this author’s college digs). A tall order it may seem, but creating more kitchen space is easier (and cheaper) than you think, and it doesn’t include a sledgehammer and a week-long kitchen remodel.

* Start by cleaning out your kitchen cupboards. Recycle and donate what you can. This will give you more storage space for items that you may not use every day and do not need on your counter top (such as your blender).
* Think about your space from floor to ceiling – including your walls. You can easily hang pots and pans, oven mitts or your spice rack. Check out Space Savers for creative organization solutions.
* Don’t forget about the cabinet doors. Look for over-the-door organizers to hold lightweight items like Tupperware lids or dish towels.
* Put your dishes on double duty. Use your “I Heart NY” mug as utensil storage, that mason jar for macaroni noodles and your serving bowl for a fresh fruit display.

Problem: I want to recycle, but I don’t know where to start.

Although there are general guidelines for recycling, unfortunately there is no one unified nationwide recycling program. Because of this, you should start out your at-home recycling quest by researching your community’s recycling policies and procedures.

If your local recycling is single-stream, you can put all your recyclables into one bin. If it is dual-stream, your recyclables will need to be separated. You can do this by breaking your waste up into categories such as paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, certain metals and other material types.

Put a personal spin on your bin to really get everyone involved. Once your container system is ready, decorate it and designate its location. Here’s a quick tip: Three things that are recyclable that you will usually find in kitchen are plastic bottles, paper packaging and aluminum cans.
Bathroom
Problem: I use way too much water.

The average faucet flows at a rate of 2 gallons per minute, and a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons of water. So, we’re going back to elementary school for this one. Turning off the water when you brush and shave, taking shorter showers and flushing judiciously can all save hundreds of gallons of water.

Take it a step further and install a low-flow showerhead or an aerator on your sink. Together they can reduce your household water use by up to 50 percent, which will save you money.
Problem: It’s a mess under my sink.

You know what we’re referring to: half-empty shampoo bottles, lotions with intolerable fragrances and once-trendy-now-gaudy cosmetics. Consolidate what’s possible, and remember to recycle the containers.

Rethinking the way you use hygiene products starts here. Read the backs of your bottles. Some personal hygiene and beauty products contain harmful substances known to be skin irritants, poisons and even carcinogens.

So, which ingredients should you avoid and what products might contain them? In partnership with the Environmental Working Group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has created Skin Deep, an online database of cosmetics and personal care products where you can check your sunscreen, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream and more for toxic ingredients.
Problem: It needs a super clean, but the fumes are too much for the small space.

The next time you have to wipe down the bathroom counter and clean the mirror above the sink, opt for products with fewer chemicals. We’re all for sparkling counter tops, but most standard cleaning products can irritate allergies, cause headaches and make your eyes burn. In fact, the EPA is reevaluating the health impact of chemicals that are present in everyday products and has developed an action plan for the treatment of four chemicals including phthalates.

Look for nontoxic cleaners such as Seventh Generation. Or save some cash and make a super-duty cleaner with ingredients from your pantry:

Vinegar – Mix one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle to clean counter tops, sinks and floors.

Lemon – Scrub surfaces and stains with a lemon that has been cut in half and sprinkled with baking soda on the flat side.
Office
Problem: I literally have mountains of paper.

One of the biggest space hoarders in any office is files. Hundreds upon hundreds of contracts, reports and applications in file cabinets can take up an entire wall of space in your office.

Reassess what you really need in hard-copy form. Many of these documents can be scanned and saved in electronic form. Shred, bag and recycle the sheets of paper. The most important thing to remember here is to back up any information you load onto an external hard drive with password protection. You can go digital and still be safe.



It may seem like a ton of work, but it's worth it. Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees, two barrels of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of air pollution.

Problem: Nothing is “green” or efficient.

According to the Department of Energy, office equipment accounts for 16 percent of an office’s energy use. The use of computers, printers, copiers and fax machines adds up, but simply turning your computer’s sleep mode on when you’re not using it can save energy. Here are some other energy-saving tips you can implement:

* Turn the machine off when you leave the office for the night.
* Activate sleep mode for printers, copiers and fax machines so they’ll sense inactive periods.
* Consider consolidating these machines by purchasing a machine that performs multiple office functions.

If you’re looking to purchase new office equipment, look for ENERGY STAR qualified products to cut down energy use and pollution.
Problem: I just can’t concentrate in my workspace.

Organization plays a key role in productivity. A clean space allows for more creativity and better concentration. But if you’re still in a jaded funk after organizing your office, a fresh coat of paint may do the trick and get you back on track.

According to Freshome Interior Design, color and mood go hand-in-hand. Blues and greens are great for reducing stress and relaxing. But if you’re looking for a burst of creativity and energy, paint one wall a shade of red or orange.

Earth911 consulted Behr paint to find out more about the color trends for 2010. “Whether light or dark, clean or muted, traditional or contemporary, new concepts in style take shape at the beginning of a new decade,” according to Behr’s 2010 Design & Color Trends report, noting that contrasting shades are tops this year, and that these palettes relate directly to “a world bursting with change, innovation and diversity.”
Garage
Problem: I have boxes of stuff I never use.

The garage is where products go to collect dust. You don’t plan on using them, but you store them in a corner “just in case.” Sporting goods, books, old electronics – all these items can be reused by someone else, reducing the need to manufacture new products.


Due to the various types of cleaning products, there are several methods for properly disposing of them. Household cleaning products that are hazardous should be properly disposed of by household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities
They don’t call it a garage sale for nothing. If you moved all your junk from the garage out to the driveway, you may be surprised what gets sold. Use sites like Craigslist and Freecycle or scout out a second-hand store to get a tax write-off.
Problem: It’s too cold.

Yes, this is an energy-sucking problem. The garage is probably one of your least insulated rooms in the house. It will be coldest in the winter, and warmest in the summer.

Minimize this impact by keeping any doors closed that connect the garage with your house. This will keep your energy costs down for heating and cooling your home.

Also keep in mind that extra appliances, like spare refrigerators and freezers, can take a toll on your electric bill. A refrigerator uses almost five times more electricity than the average television.

Rather than combating constant temperature fluctuations, assess if you really need a second refrigerator. If so, perhaps a smaller unit for beverages will work better than a full-size cooler.
Problem: I don’t know what to do with all these chemicals.

The garage is a popular spot for hazardous products like motor oil, freon, gasoline, pool chemicals, etc. If you’re housing these items, make sure they are properly stored in their containers. If you need to get rid of any old supplies, don’t dump them in the trash. Check for a local household hazardous waste collection event hosted by your municipality, or look for other ways to properly dispose of these items with Earth911’s recycling database.

Get rid off those "Energy Phantoms"

Protecting the environment and saving money is as easy as pulling the plug. There are appliances and electronic devices scattered around your home that are sucking electricity even when they aren’t in use. Who’d have thought that your cell phone charger could pull down an average of 1.73 Kilowatts per month; or that a printer absorbs 4.32 Kilowatts per month–just sitting there. May not seem like much, but if you add up all the items in your home that are secretly eating energy–it is a fairly large number.

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has made the task of searching out and destroying the energy phantoms easy. Check out their energy phantom calculator. Just enter the quantity of each electronic device in your home and the calculator can quickly help you add up how much electricity each month is being wasted at your house. Now think about all the households in the U.S. The Census Bureau estimates that in 2007 there were 127,902,000 housing units in the country. I calculated a sampling of a few of these household items and the savings if they were unplugged.

Collective Usage of 127,902,000 Houses


kWh to be Saved Per month Millions $ to be Saved Per Month
Dishwasher 166,272,600 $15,348,240

Charger/power cube 184,178,880 16,627,260

Laptop charger 322,313,040 29,417,460

Doorbell 460,447,200 40,928,640

Microwave 276,268,320 24,302,380

Fax machine 856,943,400 76,741,200

Cell phone charger 221,270,460 20,464,320

Power & garden tool
charger 368,357,760 33,254,520

Multi-funct printer 552,536,640 49,881,780




I’m not suggesting that you have to unplug your microwave, doorbell or your dishwasher when they’re not in use (way too painful), but there are items that pulling the plug takes no more effort than flipping off a light switch. Figure out where you can unplug at your home. Collectively we can conserve millions of dollars worth of electricity and that little bit of effort can make a huge difference for the planet.

Straw Bale Construction

From the Ground up, by a Single Mom

This is a great video from a single mom who built her own straw bale home for $50,000 while working still full time and living on the land. She gives some excellent advice here for anyone who is considering building their own straw bale home, from labor, to coding, to construction.

She also has a great website, HouseOfStraw.com, which I definitely recommend to anyone who is considering straw bale construction for their home, or sustainable green building in general. You will find great information, from someone who has been through it all.

Hemp Building Materials...

Hemp is the all-purpose material long-championed by Thomas Jefferson and 1960s American counterculture alike. Food, textiles, paper, and fuel—there is a growing trend to cultivate this miracle crop and turn it into more eco-friendly versions of common products. Why is it so sustainable? Hemp can be grown rapidly and easily, like bamboo, without any herbicides or intensive labor. It regenerates, it regrows.



So how on earth can we utilize the plant for home construction? A handful of companies are now specializing in building walls, floors, and other structural components of houses out of chopped up hemp (it looks like mulch) combined with lime. Like the soybean insulation, the mixture of hemp and lime is sprayed on to a plywood base. It is easy and incredibly durable. A thick earthen wall made of hemp is also great for heat insulation.

Europe is ahead of the hemp game, with a growing industry in this type of eco-building, especially in Ireland and the UK. There is reason to believe that the U.S. will be catching on very soon. Perhaps some U.S. representatives will be attending the 1st International Hemp Building Symposium in September, taking place in Kenmare, Ireland.

The Net Zero Energy Home

How does a $0 electric bill sound? Read on to find out about homes that earn their keep.

A net zero energy home produces its own electric power and is efficient enough that it actually produces more than it consumes, resulting in no overall electric cost. These models of efficiency are not just limited to new construction. Older buildings can often be upgraded to peak efficiency. With the addition of renewables, they become net zero energy buildings.

In the middle of winter, even the most efficient home will consume more energy than it can produce from a rooftop solar system. This is where the grid intertie comes into play. The net zero energy home pulls from the grid at times of low energy production and pours energy back into the grid during times of high production.

Many of the net zero energy homes touted in the media top $1 million dollars, leading the rest of us to believe that we’ll just need to slog along with our polluting energy sources. Not so. Ideal Homes of Norman, Oklahoma, constructed a zero energy home featuring geothermal energy and photovoltaics for under $200,000. Net zero energy is far more about smart efficiency and balance than it is about the price tag.

A net zero energy home doesn’t have to have all the sexiest, trendiest green products available. In fact, it can be quite simple. The first step in turning an ordinary home into a Net Zero Energy home is tightening up–mainly through insulation and high quality windows and doors. Then the focus is turned on energy efficiency within the home, namely appliances and lighting. The third step is the addition of renewables, like solar electric and hot water systems.

You can take your first step toward net zero efficiency today by doing something as simple as insulating your hot water tank and making sure all your lightbulbs are compact fluorescent. A new energy-efficient refrigerator is far cheaper than a photovoltaic system but will have a significant and immediate impact on your electric consumption. Incremental steps over time will yield an impressive cumulative effect.

What if you’re designing a new home? Keep in mind the benefits of passive solar orientation and thermal mass. Thermal mass like a concrete slab or masonry stove will keep your interior temperature stable, while southern exposure allows you to make the most of the sun’s heat and light. Design your own or find plans at http://www.zero-energyplans.com.

Green Flooring Options

When it’s time to replace flooring, think outside the big box stores. Sustainable flooring is both durable and beautiful.

Cork



Cork is made from the peeled bark of Cork Oak trees, which can be sustainably harvested every nine years without harming the tree. It is naturally resistant to fire, insects, and microbes. Cork is available in snap-together floating floor systems or adhered tile. Showercork is made from ¼” slices of wine cork adhered to a paper backing. It’s designed to be grouted in place and then coated with urethane finish, so it’s especially appropriate for wet areas. Cork flooring is foot-friendly, sound-dampening, and durable.

Earthen Floors



Earthen flooring is earth mixed with fibers, compacted by hand and trowel, and then coated with a natural sealant like hemp or linseed oil. Very high traffic areas may require a flagstone inset. Earthen floors are durable, easily repaired, and kind to feet. Because they are made primarily with materials straight from the building site, their resource impact is near zero. Earthen floors are most often installed over a bed of gravel, but they can be even be layered on top of pre-existing flooring such as concrete or wood, as long as the structure can support the weight of the earth. Because of their high thermal mass, they are ideal for the passive solar home.

Linoleum


Contemporary MarmoleumNatural linoleum is a sustainable alternative to vinyl flooring and requires little maintenance apart from regular sweeping and mopping. A linoleum floor will last 30-40 years, compared to 10-20 years for vinyl flooring. At the end of its lifespan, it is fully biodegradable. Marmoleum, the most popular brand of linoleum, is made of linseed oil from flaxseeds, rosin from pine trees, wood and cork flours, limestone, metal-free pigments, and jute, in a waste-free process. Natural linoleum is available in a rainbow of colors in sheet, tile, or click-style flooring.

Local, Sustainably Harvested or Reclaimed Wood
LemRusticHemlockWant a wood floor? First check with local green builders, who may know locals harvesting their wood sustainably. A local builder may also know sources of reclaimed materials close to home. If you’re looking for a rustic look, try aged wood from barns. Reclaimed wood tells a story, whether it’s maple from a factory floor or flooring from an old bowling alley. Very often, the same dealers who sell reclaimed wood also sell sustainably harvested wood. Forest Stewardship Council certification gives you a starting point for learning about how wood is harvested, although there is the predictable controversy about whether or not their standards are stringent enough.

Woven Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo




Bamboo’s advantage over wood is its fast renewability. It is a grass ready for harvest within three to six years that regenerates without replanting and requires little chemical input. However, due to the recent popularity of bamboo,


corporations are clearing forests in China to plant it. Monocrops of bamboo decrease biodiversity and increase erosion in these clearcut areas. The more industrial bamboo farming becomes, the more chemicals are used to manage the crops. The lesson here is that not all bamboo is created equal. Look for companies like Teragren, who explicitly detail their commitment to sustainability.