As an EPA Certified Renovator, it is important to me to emphasize safety in remodeling and projects. The top priority is protection from products that are still impacting children and adults. Lead, Asbestos, Mold along with other household items come with varied degrees of dangers.
The EPA studies showed as recently as 2019 that indoor air is still more dangerous than outdoor air -- “even in the largest and most industrialized cities.”
There are websites and companies dedicated to toxic free futures with much more details. There are many classes in college about sustainability. These are just a few tips to get you started. If you have one, you are welcome to send it to me! Here are a few basic ways to begin considering the earth.
PAINT OPTIONS
Better than Others
- Exterior Pant #1 Option Paints with zinc oxide as the fungicide.
- Zerio to very low-VOC. Consider recycled water-based paints.
AVOID
- High VOC - Oil based pants
- Older Paints (mercury and lead issues)
MULCH
- RECYLCLE - Newspaper and Cardboard. This does not encourage purchasing it. This is the first layer. Cover in a second layer of a different eco-friendly mulch option.
- 100% RECYCLED Rubber
- Nutshells and seeds
- Hay and Straw.
- Tree Bar
- Wood Chips
- Coconut coir
- Sawdust
- Compost.
- Moss
- Leaves.
- Eucalyptus
- Grass Clippings.
- Pine Needles.
- Groundcover (Green Mulch)
- Other Organic Mulches (Not Wood)
- Corn stalks and cobs
"Inorganic mulch, or synthetic mulch, includes black plastic, rubber, geotextiles, landscape fabrics or stones such as pebbles, gravel or small rocks. This type of mulch does not break down over time, but smaller mulches can sink into the soil over time and may require touch up applications." Forbes Home
APPLIANCES
Sustainable Appliances
BUILDING MATERIALS
Sustainable Building Materials