These are a few facts to consider

1. HAVE A GOOD SPACE PLAN THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS
   

   Sometimes, that might be less square footage than you thought. With a good space plan you will use only what you need, this will mean less materials used, less furniture, less energy, less construction waste.

2. PLAN TO RECYCLE
   

   It will make a difference.

3. USE LOCALLY PRODUCED MATERIALS
   

   This keeps down the travel time of large trucks that emit pollution, and it helps the local economy.

4. USE RAPIDLY RENEWABLE AND LOW IMPACT MATERIALS
   

   For example, bamboo flooring is made from a rapidly growing grass. No 20-year-old trees were cut down to make it.

   And cork flooring is an example of low impact. Cork flooring is made from scraps left after wine corks are punched from the thick, spongy bark of the cork oak tree. Harvesters literally peel off the bark in sheets. As long as they work carefully and wait at least nine years for the next harvest, the process does not hurt the trees, some of which are more than 200 years old. Once they punch out the wine corks, manufacturers grind up the rest of the bark. They mix the granules with a little adhesive and press them into sheets. These are cut into flooring tiles or bonded to other materials to make plank flooring.

   Another low impact material is wool carpet, obviously from sheep, the sheep are not killed for their wool, it is renewable and biodegradable and if you are allergic, do the research to find wool that is not heavily treated with chemicals and you will probably have no trouble from it.

   A few wood flooring companies are using managed, renewable tree farms. Anderson floors are one that only uses these sources.

5. USE DAYLIGHTING, LEDs and ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS
   

   By daylighting, we mean to plan the best use of natural light – big windows placed in the right places, light wells and skylights. This light takes NO energy to use.

   LEDs, light emitting diodes, are more efficient than anything else we have at present. They are more cost effective in the long run, although a little more expensive in the short run to purchase.

   Fluorescent bulbs are higher in cost than incandescent, but much more efficient and lower cost to use. They do contain a small amount of mercury, so should be disposed of properly, not sent to an incinerator.

6. USE PAINT THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN VOCs
   

   Volatile organic compounds, and does not contain formaldehyde. Benjamin Moore has a new line called Aura that is extremely high quality and fits the bill. Also, they have the odorless, ECO line.

7. USE FABRICS THAT ARE FROM RAPIDLY RENEWABLE, POST CONSUMER, OR POST INDUSTRIAL SOURCES
   

   At present, found mostly in commercial fabrics, but companies are slowly adding these sources. This takes a little research for residential fabrics. Of course, you can use the commercial lines.

8. USE FURNITURE MADE FROM LOW IMPACT MATERIAL THAT CONTAIN LOW VOCs – (Volatile organic compounds)
   

   This is more difficult to follow than the other ideas above. Only a few companies make furniture with low VOCs. However, if you have unknown illnesses or allergies, you should really check this out. I have found a few manufacturers that specialize in this construction. However, at present, they are very expensive and the lead-time is long. Ask, at least, if the frames are made from wood from managed tree farms. This is a start.

9. MAKE USE OF GREY WATER AND RAIN WATER
   

   Grey water is any water used for washing; - bath, laundry, showers, brushing your teeth. It is not water from toilets. It can be filtered, treated, and used for your lawn and landscape through a system purchased and installed in your home.

   Collect rainwater for use in washing cars, watering lawns, and save the drinking water for drinking and cooking. This can be a rain barrel with a special lid to keep out mosquitoes, to an elaborate grass system on your roof. But the idea is simple and makes sense.

10. SOLAR ENERGY
    

    Not so far fetched any longer, solar panels are not big bulky plates anymore. One can install panels that look like roof shingles. And they can run your entire house. Imagine!

Note: CHECK OUT USGBC – U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL AND THE LEED RATING SYSTEM - LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
www.usgbc.org