As Earth Day celebrations come to a close, there are some simple ways we can keep our caring for the Earth in mind when completing simple home maintenance and repairs. We can all work to clean up the environment on Earth Day and with a small amount of effort, keep cleaning by making smart, green decisions. Here are my top five…

1. Recycle material.
Offer left over paint, replaced fixtures, or excess material to others. I love Freecycle.com where I’ve passed on a lovely pedestal sink that was too small, excess fence from enclosing a play yard, and received a stunning ceiling fan.

2. Use low maintenance materials.
Materials that need less upkeep or replacement keep more ‘stuff’ out of the landfills. Can you repair instead of replace an item? If you need to replace, then use materials like vinyl siding that does need painting, or replace worn decking with plastic wood that never needs sealing, or purchase long-lasting roof shingles.

3. Use Green products.
We’ve all seen the corkscrew light bulbs that save energy – now they are available to fit most every lamp. Low VOC paint is an easy choice these days – it comes in great colors and can be found in many hardware stores. Other choices are becoming readily available as well like bamboo flooring. Bamboo is sustainably farmed and is a fast growing type of wood. Even large box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot carry bamboo flooring that is stained with coffee (on purpose) rather than environmentally toxic stains.

4. Use recycled material.
As you replace or repair your home, take time to choose materials wisely. Consider salvage materials like antique doors, refurbished drawer hardware, and materials made from recycled products. Consumer demand has helped to increase the availability of materials like plastic lumber, siding, shutters, and windows that are made from post-consumer waste. When purchasing materials, ask for information about recycled content.

5. Buy local.
This means not only purchase from your local hardware store first - you will use less gas (and save time!). Think about where your materials originate. Materials that have a shorter distance to travel to the store will save gas and the environment. If you live in an area that has a wood mill, tool manufacturer, or quarry, consider supporting the very local economy and purchase directly.

Every decision counts. Make yours green.

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