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3 Recyclable Products Ready For Use In Your Home

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The news and certain television shows are where you’ve probably seen it. The way to go is keeping an environmentally friendly home. A lot of money can potentially be saved as well. Just how expensive it can sometimes be to purchase energy efficient products for your home, such as solar panels or appliances, is where the problem lies. You don’t have to break the bank to be environmentally friendly though. Certain products that do their part in helping preserve the environment can be purchased at low cost.

A prime example is paper products. There are other options, despite assumptions that paper products consist only of items you eat food off of. Why not make sure you’ve purchased recycled paper if you have to print off a lot of it for work or school projects? Tissues, napkins and, yes, even plates and other tableware products are all included in this list. You’ll be doing your part to keep your home eco-friendly as a result, and the cost is virtually the same as the non-recycled counterparts.

How about office supplies, in the same vein? It is possible to recycle many plastic and metal office products. Many people also have home offices today, even if you don’t have any say in what products your employer’s office uses. Why not ensure you’re only purchasing office supplies that have been recycled, then?

Did you know it was also possible to recycle glass as well, despite most peoples’ belief that using paper products is the only cost-effective way to be environmentally friendly? Great examples of recycled glass products are drinking glasses and bottles, but there are more beyond that. Glass plates and dishes do exist. Plus, you can always request new windows be made from recycled glass, the next time you need to replace your home’s windows.

A variety of different shapes and sizes are consequently available in which to purchase recycled products. You as an American may most easily recognize paper products, but you can also look into other relatively inexpensive products made from recycled material. Helping the environment doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. People just need to be able to spot office supplies, glass and other products as recyclable in order to make use of them. You just need to be cognizant and constantly on the look-out, and before you know it, you too can be purchasing products that are ready for a second (or even third) use.

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Selecting Recycling Bins Based On Construction Material

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One can find all kinds of recycling containers. You can find just about every material composing the containers built today. Organic materials such as wood, long-lasting materials like steel, and other materials should be chosen based on the specific use of the recycling bin. This is a guide to help you buy a container for all applications, whether it be for the office or at your home.

Average materials would be the metal and plastic containers. These have been around for quite some time, but they are also of the most common. Steel containers are best for large scale applications of recycling while plastic is common in the home environment. Plastic is sometimes seen as a poor choice because it doesn’t always degrade well.

Recycled materials are a popular fad for recycling containers. They may cost more because of the extra work in constructing them, but the recycling fanatics are more than willing to pay a higher fee for supporting the recycling cause at every level. Sometimes these recycled containers are made of recycled plastic – which isn’t very degradable but it does ensure that new plastic isn’t put into production and rather recycles current supplies.

Previously metal was a good choice for big recycling operations. This is being changed with the use of fiberglass. Fiberglass itself is very durable, resists fire, and can withstand the natural bumps and bruises that come with handling the containers. Fiberglass can indeed be put back into the recycling process if need be: fiberglass is needed in operations such as asphalt mixing and in some building materials.

Some recycling applications on a large scale don’t give much room in choice. An example would be with steel recycling bins, which are often the first choice when dealing with a large scale operation because of the durability of steel. This allows workers to load and unload bins easily by using other machines to do the dirty work. Materials such as plastic or wood would be susceptible to breakage or prone to accidents.

The low end of recycling is simple: use a bag you would get from your grocery store. Make sure it’s a degradable sack or one made of organic fiber. Using plastic bags is strongly discouraged since they are contributing to a nationwide problem in landfills. Some cities will even award vouchers to households that want to start recycling: check with your local government to see what they offer.

In Conclusion

The innovation in recycling container materials is still on the move. While we wait to see more mixtures and compounds of materials, it’s important that you find out what your opportunities are in helping the recycling movement. Talk to your local government about getting a program setup and raise awareness.

The recycling bins you look at should be researched before purchasing. Buy from green companies to promote the green philosophy.

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Disadvantages of Building Green

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Unfortunately, it seems that everything that is beneficial to people tends to carry a higher price tag with it. For example, the checkout receipt from a simple trip to the grocery store seems to double if the items that were purchased include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fish; instead of chips, cookies and canned foods. Just when a lot of people are seriously thinking about trying to help preserve the environment by building an eco friendly home, a few disadvantages to this type of construction are slowly beginning to rise to the surface. Of course, the primary concern is the tremendous initial cost that is usually associated with the whole “building green” process. Therefore, it is a wise thing to spend a little time and effort thoroughly sorting out and searching through all of the variables that may be connected to this fairly new style of constructing a home.

The most important stumbling block in this endeavor might just be the availability, or rather the lack of, adequate funding. This is something that will have to be quickly dealt with. Obviously, since this construction method is a fairly new concept to many people, the conditions and restrictions of such building loans might make it very difficult for the average homeowner to even be able to obtain a mortgage. Secondly, any potential green house builder also has to remember that since “building green” is a relatively newly introduced technique, the demand for these types of building materials has been very low up to this point in time.

Consequently, the possibility always exists that it may be more than a little difficult to obtain them from any of the material supply sources that are located in their particular area. As most people can attest to, the lack of competition automatically increases the prices of most items. Add to this fact, if a person has to order these things from a distant supplier, shipping and handling charges will also have to be included in the final price. Therefore, at the end of the day, the bottom line figure that will have to be mortgaged may be a whole lot more than some of the lending institutions will be ready to agree to. Locating qualified building contractors can become another exhausting undertaking.

Therefore, as you can see, there are a number of variables that just might have an adverse effect on the entire building process. Delving into any brand new idea or concept requires a whole bunch of planning, consideration and preparation. Try to envision how much more of all of these things will be absolutely necessary when dealing with a project of this magnitude.

Filed Under: General, Green Homes Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Damp Basement Solutions

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Damp Basement

Diagnosis:

The source of your problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in the foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of your problem. A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. There may not be a sign of any leak or standing water, but the moisture evaporates, increasing indoor humidity. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during humid months.

Prescription Checklist:

* Where does the problem occur? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Corners? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area, like a whole wall or room, then it might be caused by humidity.
* If you suspect a mold problem consult EPA’s Brief Guide to Mold in your home for more information.
* If you plan to remodel your basement, it is important to control moisture problems at the before doing anything else. Corrective actions can be relatively easily but sometimes, depending on the severity of the problem, they can be difficult and expensive.

Stop water leaks

* If a leak is the source of your problem, have it fixed first.
* If you have standing water on the floor of your basement after a heavy rain then it is likely from a leak in the foundation.
o Clean rain gutter and redirect downspout runoff away from the foundation.
o Make sure the ground around the house slopes down away from the foundation. If necessary, re-grade so the ground does slopes away.
o If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.
* If you have water stains on the ceiling or wall under or near a bathroom it could be a leak from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower. Hire a plumber to repair the leak.
* If the leak has caused substantial water damage or mold you will want to hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs.

Reducing indoor humidity

* If your basement has a dirt floor, cover the floor completely with plastic to slow down water vapor coming through the soil.
* Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.
* Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year. The Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents Exit ENERGY STAR.
* Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room. To help you find a contractor, please refer to our recommendations.
* Sealing air leaks (Home Sealing) and sealing duct air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home.
* During hot humid months, using a dehumidifier in the basement can reduce condensation on the walls. This may work better after you’ve sealed air and duct leaks to reduce the amount of humid outdoor air you are bringing into the basement.

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Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors Solutions

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Mold, mildew or musty odors

Diagnosis:

healthy-homeA water leak or high humidity can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of mold, mildew or musty odors. Indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal. For more information consult EPA’s Brief Guide to Mold in your home.

Prescription Checklist:

Where does the problem occur? Attic? Basement? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner) it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area like a whole wall, room or basement then it might be caused by high humidity.
Stop water leaks immediately to minimize the potential mold growth.

* If a leak is the source of your problem, have it fixed first.
* If the leak is in your roof hire a roofing contractor to repair the leak.
* If the leak is from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower, hire a plumber to repair the leak.
* If the leak has caused substantial water damage or mold you will want to hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs.
* After repairing the water leak, dry out the area completely.

Reducing indoor humidity

* Do you have a crawlspace under your house? A dirt floor in a crawlspace should be covered with plastic (vapor barrier) to prevent moisture from the soil increasing humidity levels in your home. If there is standing water or the soil is wet, dry it out with fans before covering the floor.
* Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.
* Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year. The Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents Exit ENERGY STAR.
* Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
* Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room.
* Sealing air leaks (Home Sealing) and sealing duct air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home.

Filed Under: Healthy Home, Healthy Home Featured, Mold Tagged With: , , ,
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