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October 26, 2007
Home renovations and urban sustainability
Ecological responsibility has not reached the home renovation trend — or so it would appear.
Earlier this year the city of Victoria BC reported that it’s Hartland Landfill was experience a significant increase in demand caused by home renovations. Deposits of old flooring, carpets, furniture, etc. had increased. As a percentage, only 36% of recyclable waste was being diverted in 2007, down from 42% in 1998. And that is the story behind the stuff being removed in the name of renovations.
What about the replacements?
Choices of flooring in new and renovated homes provide a further example of unsustainable choices. As detailed in the Minnesota Real Estate Blog, many people are choosing Brazilian hardwoods. These choices encourage the destruction of the Brazilian forests. While the author, Kermit Johnson, focuses on the twin abuses of rainforest destruction and coerced labor involved in harvesting the product, as significant is the fact that these products then have to be transported to North America to become a hardwood floor. This generates carbon monoxide and other pollution.
Yet in most cities other flooring options are available.
First, locally made products exist from locally-made tiles to local forest products.
Second, there are often recycled flooring options available. This can allow for a really unique floor, or the option of matching the vintage of a home. (We had the fir beams and planks from an old barn in Chilliwack (100 km east of Vancouver) converted into a new floor for our 1911 home. )
Third, there is bamboo. While I’m not sure how much is locally grown versus harvested in China, it is a grass product and regenerates in 5 years and thus is a renewable choice (even if it has to be transported).
As many city governments announce plans to reduce their carbon footprints, they not only need to focus on transportation issues, but also encouraging more sustainable building practices from everyday people in their renovations (not just pushing the real estate development community to do this).
Topics: ecological issues, real estate, city hall, residential development |
October 26th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
You forgot Linoleum for green floor coverings.