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2016 Spring Home & Garden
How to make spring projects more eco-friendly
T
he arrival of warmer weather
means different things to different
people. Some anticipate opportunities
for outdoor fun, while others may be
considering redecorating or remod-
eling their homes. For the latter group,
home improvement season provides a
great opportunity to make homes more
eco-friendly.
When planning home improvement
projects, it’s best to fi rst choose a
project and then look for ways to
make the project more environmen-
tally friendly. Such an approach may
not only benefi t the environment, but
it also may benefi t homeowners’ bot-
tom lines.
Interior decorating
Longer days and warmer temperatures
often translate into wanting to freshen
up the interior of a home. Heavy
draperies and comforters are put away,
and lighter fabrics are taken out of
storage. Whenever possible, reuse or
repurpose items you already have rath-
er than purchasing new items. Longer
drapes can be cut and hemmed to be
used as window treatments in other
rooms. Making a patchwork blanket
out of old T-shirts is a crafty project
that makes use of items that would
otherwise be destined for landfi lls.
When laundering linens, skip the en-
ergy-using dryer and let items line dry
in the sun and fresh air.
If you decide to purchase some new
items, look for products made from
sustainable or organic fabrics. Hemp
and bamboo textiles have grown in
popularity. Hemp and bamboo plants
grow quickly, and their durability
makes these materials smart choices.
When replacing items around the
house, donate older items to a charita-
ble organization.
Flowers and plants
Spring and summer call to mind
beautiful blooming plants. Relying on
native, sustainable plants is practical,
environmentally friendly and cost-ef-
fective.
According to the National Wildlife
Federation, sustainable plants are
native plants. Native plants sustain
local wildlife more effectively than
non-native alternatives, so include na-
tive plants in your sustainable garden.
Native plants also are less reliant on
pesticides and herbicides to keep them
healthy and viable.
Don’t forget to bring plants indoors as
well. Even though you may be open-
ing the windows more, indoor plants
can fi lter and purify indoor air. The
NASA Clean Air Study, led in as-
sociation with the Associated Land-
scape Contractors of America, found
that certain common indoor plants
naturally remove toxic agents such as
benzene, formaldehyde and trichlo-
roethylene from the air. Effi cient air
cleaning is accomplished with at least
one plant per 100 square feet of home
or offi ce space.
Spring's warmer temperatures offer an opportunity to turn off the en-
Proper disposal
ergy-hogging dryer in favor of line-drying clothes.
Spring cleaning is another tradition for
many families come the end of winter
and dawn of spring. Many people use
spring as a time to go through clos-
ets and garages to remove items they
no longer use or need. In an effort
to clean up fast, some people may
dispose of chemical products, paints,
treated lumber, and many other items
in ways that can be damaging to the
environment. Always learn local mu-
nicipal guidelines for proper disposal
of potentially harmful products. Area
recycling centers may have drop-off
areas for stains and paints, used mo-
tor oil and other potentially harmful
products.
Before discarding something, see if it
can be donated or sold. This will result
in fewer items ending up in landfi lls.
Exercise caution outdoors as well.
Runoff from cleaning products used
on home siding or driveways can leach
into the surrounding soil or fi nd its
way into sewage drains that ultimately
direct fl uids to public waterways.
Choose environmentally responsible
products whenever possible.
Springtime renovation and cleaning
projects provide the perfect opportuni-
ty to adopt eco-friendly practices that
pay dividends for years to come.