Decorating Your Natural Home

(Page 6 of 6)

July/August 2006
By Misty McNally 
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■ Concrete (n/g) is durable and easy to clean, but it’s made from a mix of natural and sometimes recycled industrial slag that is fired at high temperatures, so it’s high in embodied energy. Acid staining is a popular treatment, but also highly caustic. The best concrete floor is a naturally tinted foundation slab. Another option is concrete "terrazzo" made with recycled material such as glass.

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■ Carpet (n/r/d/g) usually is made from nylon and is a huge burden on landfills when it’s discarded. A few manufacturers accept their carpets back for downcycling, and a few others use downcycled plastic for carpet fibers. The greenest carpets and rugs are made from natural fibers such as wool, silk, cotton, jute, sisal or seagrass. 

Healthy Interior Checklist
Here’s a quick guide to evaluating the sustainability of home decorating items.

s = readily available salvaged or reclaimed

n = natural materials figure prominently

r = made from natural, renewable materials

d = available with downcycled or recycled content

g = greener than the conventional alternatives

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