Sourcing Recycled Materials for Urban Home Design
Waste from C&D, (construction and demolition), is one of the most significant sources of waste in the US. If managed wisely however, this can actually be a convenient source of recycled materials for construction and design. Construction companies, manufacturers and contractors are starting to turn to recycled materials for a variety of reasons that include the expense of materials, supply chain delays and sustainability. When waste products are used in construction, it can reduce carbon emissions, take waste out of landfills and cut out harmful links in the supply chain.
Sourcing Recycled Materials From Your Urban Environment for Your Home Design Project
“Urban mining” is a term that is used to describe the sourcing of useful materials from waste in an urban context. Many local governments have begun initiatives to encourage urban mining and recycling initiatives. An increasing number of construction companies use recycled materials in their business and are actively working with demolition companies and other suppliers of recycled materials to source construction materials.
If you want to use recycled materials in your home design you are probably wondering where you can source the materials.
One strategy is to work with local sustainable contracting companies and tradespeople that use recycled materials. Some companies work with demolition companies or avail of programs that help them source recycled materials.
Another strategy is to inquire about the materials you will likely need to use in your project. If possible you can investigate if there is a recycled alternative. Materials used in home design, home renovation or home redecoration can range from concrete, glass, tiles, wood, insulation, paint and furniture. Some of these things are easily sourced, others less so.
Recycled Industrial Materials
According to the EPA’s website, common recycled C&D materials include:
-Concrete
-Wood
-Asphalt from roads and shingles
-Gypsum (the main component in drywall)
-Metals
-Bricks
-Glass
-Plastics
-Salvaged building components including doors, windows and plumbing fixtures
-Trees, stumps, earth and rocks from clearing sites
Some of these materials can be sourced directly from building projects that have excess waste. Some may need to be sourced via construction companies that have access to industrial waste.
Other recycled materials are not directly sourced from construction and demolition, they are innovative materials that are made from recycled components. These materials include insulation, concrete, glass and roof tiles, to name a few.
If you are working with a sustainable building contractor or decorator, it’s a good idea to ask them about the materials they use and confirm you are going the most sustainable route. For example “ashcrete” is a replacement for concrete that has a carbon benefit, as it uses partial coal fly ash instead of cement. Concrete is one of the most carbon emitting materials in the world, producing between 4% and 8% of emissions per year. Concrete also uses huge amounts of water. Ashcrete uses less carbon and takes coal out of the carbon cycle. Ashcrete cuts down on the amount of water used in production. Other recycled industrial materials include recycled glass, roof tiling and siding that is made of recycled plastic, recycled insulation, such as denim insulation and reclaimed wood, which is wood that has been used in previous projects.
DIY Recycling for Home Accents and Decorating
Sourcing materials for home decorating is possible to do by yourself. You can check out local online recycling exchanges to obtain beautiful old furniture, houseplants and even paint. Friends and family may have excess materials from projects, which could include paint, tiles, wood, door-frames and textiles. Broken tiles and paving don’t need to be discarded, they can be used to make innovative mosaic surfaces both inside and outside. Painting or refinishing old furniture, installing antique fixtures such as old taps and door handles, and using crafting techniques such as decoupage and mosaic are ways you can use your creativity to update your home without relying on new materials.
Green Interior and Exterior Design Consultation
At Earth Science Design our green external design consultants have spent ten years researching the science and aesthetics of eco friendly home design and green interior design. We help you to gain a perspective on the total vision for your project and how to realize that vision using sustainable and recycled materials. Sourcing recycled materials locally can be a sustainable choice that cuts down on carbon from shipping and the waste and carbon production of producing new materials. If you want to incorporate recycled materials into your project we can discuss the options available locally and nationally and connect you with construction professionals and contracters who can make this a reality. We work with clients nationally and internationally. We have offices in San Diego, CA, Brooklyn, NYC and Paris, France, but we can work with clients from anywhere. Please contact us to learn more about getting a sustainable, eco-conscious design consultation .
