Whether it’s done for refreshment or updating purposes, every home simply craves an occasional remodel. Naturally, every homeowner wants their renovation project to go as cheaply as possible; unfortunately, you don’t see many of them being concerned about the pollution that such a project causes, and there’s a lot of it involved. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of four eco-conscious ways that can help you reduce the harmful events of a typical home remodel.

 

Donate

One of the pillars of any remodel is getting rid of stuff – whether it is children’s toys or old cabinets, you cannot remodel without throwing stuff away, right? Well, that’s not true since you can always give your stuff away.

 

The importance of giving is reflected in many aspects: first of all, your old items aren’t going to end up contributing to landfill expansion. Secondly, the people who receive your stuff won’t need to buy them (obviously), meaning that you’re contributing to the reduction of global luxury demand. No matter how insignificant your individual effort is, the green mentality always starts with the individual!

 

So give your stuff away to your family, friends and acquaintances. If nobody wants it, Goodwill is always an option!

 

Buy pre-owned materials

Reusing stuff works both ways. Yes, buying new stuff will always feel better, but if you manage to remove yourself from this mental barrier, you’ll quickly realize that there’s a ton of used stuff on the market that is just as good as brand new items. This is both green and cost-effective!

 

For instance, don’t be afraid of investing into a used fridge that’s no more than a couple of years old – it can do the job perfectly, and it’s likely going to last you at least another decade. The same goes for cabinetry – visit the local salvage shops in search of mint condition top-quality cabinets.

 

Bear in mind, however, that you won’t be receiving any guarantee or money-back options, so inspect the items carefully.

 

Destruction is not the answer

It’s easy (and even fun) to swing a sledgehammer around and go postal on old walls, doors and cabinets, but other than the momentary destructive satisfaction, this course of action won’t do you, your home, your budget and our environment any good. Sometimes, tearing the walls down is the only solution, but it’s rarely an ultimate one – there is a smarter way to go.

 

The more careful you are with your ‘destruction’, the lower the chances are of your home ending up cluttered with debris that is inevitably going to end up in a landfill. Also, some of these materials are severe pollutants!

 

Avoiding demolition is awesome for one more reason: reusing! Making use out of old stuff is the pillar of eco-friendliness, and you can rest assured that there’s always something to be salvaged – fixtures, cabinets, tiles, even bricks!

 

But first, learn what you can actually salvage. For instance, calling experts in plumbing from Perth that offer free quotes will quickly tell you whether salvaging your plumbing system is a financially viable option – there’s no sense in paying just to find out how much something is going to set you back.

 

Use low-VOC or VOC-free paint

Let’s be honest, there’s no way you can go through a remodel without using any paint. In fact, you’re probably going to be using a lot of it.

 

The main problem with traditional paints is the VOCs, or volatile organic compounds – these release harmful molecules into the air and can, in fact, cause long-term health problems! VOC-free paint can go a long way in helping you sleep easy and breathe in fresher air, not only during the renovations, but for the years to come, as well!

 

These four eco-conscious ideas will help you turn your remodel into something incredibly environmentally-friendly. Always look to donate instead of throwing away, and make sure that you’ve looked far and wide for used items before opting for buying new. Always aim to ‘dismantle’ instead of ‘destroying’ and invest in paint options that aren’t harmful, for your own safety.

Guest post by Carolin Petterson

 

 

About the Author

Carolin Petterson is a Business Lady and contributor for number of high-class websites. She loves to share her experiences and talk about practical solutions, but her specialties are sustainability, sustainable business and green living.

 

 

Other articles written by Carolin

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