22 June 2016
 Categories: , Blog

A home renovation can sometimes be very bad for the environment, as you or a contractor may use virgin materials that contribute to deforestation or that disturb the environment as they're harvested. However, with a bit of planning and research beforehand, you can find eco-friendly choices for your kitchen renovation without sacrificing style or function. Note a few suggestions here.

Countertops and splashbacks

Glass is a very good choice for kitchen countertops and splashbacks, as you can find recycled glass that is taken from other projects and which has been ground down and reformed. You can also easily recycle the glass used for your splashback if you should make changes again in a few years. Tempered glass is very resistant to burns and other damage, so it should last for many years as well.

Some companies might also specialize in mixing certain recycled or sustainable material for countertops in particular; for example, you might find countertops that are made with recycled paper, fly ash, and cement. These materials are mixed and then dyed to look like limestone or soapstone. Mixing bamboo, a very easily sustainable wood, with recycled paper and a type of resin or glue can mean a butcher-block countertop that doesn't waste other forms of wood that are more difficult to grow and sustain.

Floors

Cork is a good choice for flooring as it's made from tree bark. The bark can grow back quickly after it's harvested, without damage done to the trees. Cork has a soft texture that absorbs noise and which is very comfortable for standing on for long periods of time -- something you might appreciate in the kitchen!

Linoleum is also typically made with cork and linseed oil, which is readily available and easy to harvest. Linoleum tile can resemble any number of natural stones, without the damage done to the environment to harvest those stones.

Cabinets

Cabinets made from recycled wood are a good choice, or you might see if you can find choices made from what is called wheat board or straw board. These materials are made from agricultural waste; this often includes chaff left over after reaping a crop. This is a more eco-friendly choice than cutting down trees for the lumber needed for cabinetry. If you do want cabinets made of a particular wood, note if they come from sustainable forests. These are planted and tended specifically for harvesting the wood for use in the construction industry, as opposed to cutting down natural forests.