Cork is one of the most environmentally friendly materials.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of cork is the little plug that you use as a wine bottle stopper. It’s no wonder why, considering that the main commercial use for cork is the wine bottle stopper. The question is, can cork be used for other things? With its useful properties, the potential for other commercial uses of cork is wide and varied.

Check out these interesting facts about cork:

1. Cork is a renewable resource.
2. Cork can be harvested without damaging the environment. (Note: Bamboo, hemp, rattan, and water hyacinth also can be sustainably grown and managed, but the advantage of cork is that it can be harvested without killing plants or trees)
3. Cork comes from the cork oak tree.
4. Cork is made of a honeycomb structure that contains an air-like substance.
5. Cork is long lasting.
6. Ancient cork oak forests spread over two and a half million hectares in Italy, Spain, France, Algeria, Portugal, Morocco, and Tunisia.
7. Cork oak takes twenty-five years to reach maturity. Once it does, the bark can be peeled off the tree. When professionals execute this process, no harm is done to the trees. The cork bark grows back in nine years.
8. People have been living off the income generated from peeling cork oaks and selling cork for hundreds of years.
9. Cork oak forests have been protected by royal decrees and government legislation for hundreds of years.
10. Cork is one of the most environmentally friendly materials.

One unique use for cork is cork flooring. Cork flooring is light in weight but the material is strong and flexible. As far as using it for flooring goes, it is easy to stain and add patterns so it can be made to fit in with any style of interior decorating. It’s honeycomb structure gives cork flooring its soft and springy quality. When weight is removed from the cork flooring, it regains its original shape making cork flooring suitable for high traffic situations and heavy furniture. With proper care, it can last for many years.

Cork flooring contains suberin, which is a waxy substance that seals the flooring and makes it water and mold resistant, in addition to fire retardant. Cork flooring is also allergen free so it is perfect for people with dust and mold allergies.

Cork flooring is a much more affordable alternative compared to hardwood flooring for many reasons. The price of hardwood floors to purchase is higher. Cork happens to be a great natural insulator that can absorb heat in the cold winter months, thereby keeping the home warmer and requiring less energy. Another great quality of cork is that it is an acoustic insulator so it’s very quiet. It really is a wonder for anybody coming home late at night and not wanting to wake up the rest of the house.

Bamboo is stronger than most hardwood flooring options.

There are a variety of green ways to floor your home, which is not only good for the environment, but is also good for you and your family, roommates, and pets. Some of the options tend to cost more than conventional flooring options, but when it comes down to helping the environment, the benefits out weigh the higher costs.

One option is bamboo flooring. Bamboo is grass that grows fast. Bamboo is highly sustainable because it reaches maturity quickly and has the ability to replenish itself. Bamboo is stronger than most hardwood flooring options. In addition to bamboo’s strength and durability, it is available in a wide variety of earth tones and caramelized colors. Another added benefit is that bamboo flooring is water resistant which makes it a great choice for bathroom flooring. As far as pricing goes, bamboo is a little less expensive than hardwood flooring.

A second option is concrete flooring. Concrete flooring is on the rise in terms of going green with your flooring for a number of reasons. Concrete uses very little energy in production compared to the other flooring types, it requires no trees to be cut down to produce it, it is recyclable, and concrete floors do not contain any harmful volatile organic compounds. Many synthetic carpets do contain volatile organic compounds. Coupled with all of these pros, concrete floors are great energy savers. In the summer, you’ll need to use your air conditioning less because the concrete floors make you feel cooler. During the wintertime, concrete floors naturally absorb the heat from the sun, which will help keep your house warm.

Cork is a third option because of its durability, soft feel, its ability to provide thermal and acoustic insulation and its resistance to fire and rot. Cork flooring does not require professional installation.

A fourth option is natural linoleum, which is made from linseed oil and pine resin, both of which are natural and renewable resources. conventional linoleum contains harmful volatile organic compounds and other toxic chemicals, whereas natural linoleum does not. Some of the best qualities of natural linoleum include; stain resistance for easier cleanup, water resistance, and durability. A potential downside depending on your preference is that natural linoleum has a very distinct smell of linseed oil, which may irritate some people. On the positive side, natural linoleum is easy to clean and does not attract dust, so it’s a good choice for people with asthma and allergies.

Recycled rubber tiles are a fifth option for flooring, and a great one because it is recycled and it requires a minimal amount of energy to manufacture. Recycled rubber flooring is ideal for families with little kids because it is sound absorbent, durable, stain resistant, easy to install and easy to clean.

Terrazzo Flooring is a sixth option for flooring and has been used for hundreds of years, but is gaining popularity as more and more people are searching for eco friendly flooring options. Terrazzo flooring lasts a long time and is easy to maintain. 95% of recycled glass terrazzo is made from glass waste, and the left over portion is made of epoxy or cement, neither of which contains volatile organic compounds.

A final option is wool carpeting, which is a great option for those who want to be eco friendly and still have some form of carpeting. The manufacturing of most synthetic carpets yields toxic fumes as a result of the petroleum based ingredients and the volatile organic compounds that are utilized in their production. Wool is a natural resource that is sustainable, and is one hundred percent biodegradable.

NJ School of Architecture professor indicates how to build an environmental-friendly residence on a tight budget.

Author – Cynthia Booth.

Did you know that two NYC-based designers designed an asymmetrical home with a fixed budget of $250,000?

Architects and Jersey City residents Richard Garber (assistant professor at NJ Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture and Design in Newark) and Nicole Robertson of GRO Architects in NY rose to the difficult task of creating and overseeing the building of a single-family house that’s a genuine evidence of both revolutionary design and environmental-friendly technologies.

Not too long ago, Denis Carpenter purchased a compact vacant lot to attempt his interest for the environment – a house that was environment friendly and very easy to maintain.

What’s so exceptional about this home?

• Inside the home, on the ground level, radiant heating beneath the exposed concrete floor warms the full bathroom and two bedrooms.
• In the loft-like 2nd level, sleek aluminum and stainless steel railings accent the bamboo stairway to the mezzanine, family room and an artfully designed kitchen, outfitted with restored devices and cabinetry.
• Passive a/c strategies like ceiling fans and clerestory windows make it possible for occupants to be cool during summer and warm during winter months.
• The roof consists of 260 sq. ft. of photovoltaic panels that supply about 2,000 kilowatts of energy every year to a battery stored in the basement.
• The root have a 2-foot-square area planted with drought-resist to collect rain.

This single family 1,600-square-foot home was constructed in 6 months and won a 2009 American Institute of Architects merit award and the 2010 Green Building of the Year Award from the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.

How can you transform your home into an eco-friendly home without spending too much money?

If you’re redesigning a home, conduct an energy audit first to help you identify what energy efficiency changes should and can be made to your home. In this way you’ll calculate how much energy your home needs.

My personal favorite eco-friendly technique is the passive solar cooling/heating design.

Passive solar usually means that your home’s windows, walls, and floors can be made to collect, store, and distribute power from the sun in the form of heat in the wintertime and reject solar heat in the summer.

Existing structures can be adapted or “retrofitted” to passively collect and store solar heat too.

The following five elements constitute a comprehensive passive solar home design:

1. The Collector – The area through which sunlight enters the building (usually windows).
2. The Absorber – The hard, darkened surface of the storage element – sunlight hits the surface and is absorbed as heat.
3. The Thermal Mass – The materials that retain or store the heat generated by sunlight below or behind the absorber surface.
4. The Distributor – The technique by which solar heat circulates from the collection and storage points to different areas of the house.
5. The Controller – Roof overhangs may be used to shade the aperture area during summer months or thermostats that signal a fan to turn on.

About Author – Cynthia Booth writes for the architecture careers blog. It’s a nonprofit web-site dedicated to offer help for beginning architects who need resources for their careers. With this she would like to raise the attention on eco-friendly home design and change the general public perception of energy efficiency.

Castile soaps can be used all around the house.

Castile soaps are popular brands of environmental-friendly soaps that are now making the rounds of homes which are able to use them in a variety of ways. Some people who have heard of this soap have also taken to using it as an alternative beauty product. Its flexibility in use is also contributing to a number of benefits for all users. A Castile soap is either made from a vegetable oil, olive oil, jojoba or other natural plant extracts. Its natural ingredients are considered its primary appeal to many users who are more open to using alternative materials that are less harmful to the environment.

Castile soaps either come in the white solid bar or liquid form but their uses and benefits are basically the same. Its origins is said to be from Spain in the 16th century era where it was then known as “jabon de Castilla”. Its many benefits and uses:

Bath Soap. It is known to be a favorite of people with sensitive skin as its gentle and natural ingredients works against acne, blemishes, and dry skin. The olive oil ingredient is also best for eczema and psoriasis. It also works as a natural moisturizer.

Best for Babies. It is also safe for babies whose sensitive skins cannot tolerate strong chemicals in soaps.

Lather. For men, it can also be used as a lather for shaving and because of its natural ingredients, helps to naturally moisturize the skin after the shave.

Laundry and Dish Soap. Interestingly, Castile soaps also work well as laundry soaps and are known to clean soiled clothes and even diapers effectively compared to some laundry soaps with harsh and strong chemical compounds. It is also used as a dish soap which effectively cleans and rids of food smell.

Shampoo. It also works as an effective shampoo and does not leave an itchy, dry feeling that commonly happens with liquid shampoos that have strong chemical ingredients. Its gentle ingredients do not leave any traces of flakes in the scalp that are sometimes triggered by commercial shampoos’ drying effects.

Floor Cleaner. Used as a floor cleaner, families do not need to worry about having their small children or babies lying and sitting down on the floor that’s been cleaned with Castile soap as it is totally free from any harmful chemical.

Pet Soap. Not only are Castile soaps flexible for human use but can also be used on pets – cats, dogs, or any other type of pets one has that need to have their regular bath.  Pet owners can use the soap as well and it is guaranteed to be safe and will not irritate the furry and hairy friends.

Tooth Paste. Castile soaps are also good and safe teeth cleaners.  While they may not taste nice when used as an alternative toothpaste, they still can make good teeth cleaners.

Antioxidant. Castile soaps are proven to be effective in fighting cell degeneration because of its olive oil component.
Biodegradable.

Because they are completely free from the common strong chemical compounds used in cleaning or hygiene materials, Castile soaps can be used all around the house and for anyone around the house. Also, its guaranteed safety components can completely dissolve in waterways rather than pollute it.

Castile soaps are becoming more and more popular for their variety of use and the greater benefits it can give that it is expected that more households will be using this kind of soap for decades, and yes, even centuries to come. The availability of its natural ingredients is making their presence stronger in and outside the United States. Some companies are now developing Castile soap bars and liquids in many colors and fragrance to choose from.

Try to find a real estate agent that knows about green houses for one thing. Not all of them understand everything they should. If you can find one that has been certified by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), that would be ideal. The realtor that has gone through this certification process can acquaint you with the green features of the home along with explaining any tax credits you can get or other information you need to know in conjunction with the house.

If you can’t find a NAR realtor then you can tell if a house is totally green by looking for certification from a third party. There are several organizations out there that do this Energy Star is probably the best known one. This certification shows the house has been tested and inspected for it better using energy than other homes of its size in the same local area. The certification by Energy Star shows the house is more efficient by at minimum of 15 percent than the houses constructed using 2004 International Residential Code.

Even on an older house you can evaluate it for energy usage. You can have an energy audit done on the house for about $300 – $500. An Expert will first inspect the house and look for how efficient it is constructed as far as using energy. Then he will do the blower- door test which shows anywhere that the energy is escaping. This test shows how tightly the house is sealed when doors and windows are closed.

If the house does not test out well you know it will use too much energy and needs improvements. You may want to keep looking at houses at this point. There might be something better out there that you don’t need to do energy improvements on.

Another aspect of a green house you need to be aware of is what type of landscaping does it have? If the house has all high-maintenance plants which need constant watering the landscaping is not very eco-friendly. If instead it has plants that need water in a moderate or low amount and are disease resistant too than these are usually more eco-friendly. Xeriscaping is a great way of landscaping today which a lot of green homeowners are turning to. It takes little water to maintain the landscaping done this way.

The good thing is that green houses do not necessarily cost more today than other types of homes. It all depends on the types of features included some are the same price as traditionally-built homes. They may however, cost a bit more per square foot of house since they are usually a bit smaller in size.

The green homes use less energy which means your energy bills will be lower. This alone is a reason to consider owning one. Just do your research and make sure it is truly a green home before you purchase it.

Fortunately, there is the trademarked biodynamic agriculture that provides a better way to go beyond organic farming. The trademark belongs to Demeter International – Demeter being the Greek goddess of the harvest – which is composed of over 50 member nations including the United States.

Demeter International is the largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture, of which the certification issued must be renewed annually under the strictest of standards. The criteria for certification include but are not limited to biodiversity and ecosystem preservation, livestock integration, soil husbandry, and the prohibition of GMOs in the farm. Basically, the farm where the produce bearing the Demeter logo must be treated as holistic organism from the littlest of microorganisms to the farmers themselves.

With such stringent criteria, consumers are assured only of the highest-quality products manufactured using only the most organic methods. Yes, organic farming and biodynamic farming share many things in common such as the use of biological methods in regards to soil health, food quality and human treatment of animals as well as the use of compost, cover crops and green manures. But the similarities often end at these points. Biodynamic farming also has its major differences with organic farming such as the following:

Organic foods can now be produced with the use of imported organic fertilizers but biodynamic harvests rely entirely on the nutrient-rich soil.
Organic farmers are allowed to use imported organic pesticides. With biodynamic farming methods, however, the emphasis is on humus development to build up resistance against insects, pests and diseases coupled with balanced predator-prey relationships. There are nine prescribed preparations for stimulating humus development, which are designated by the numbers 500 to 508.

While organic farmers can utilize imported organic feed, biodynamic farmers must make their own livestock feed source at least on an 80 percent level. Biodynamic agriculture emphasizes biodiversity with at least 10 percent of the total farm area devoted to such a purpose. Organic farming has no such limitations on the farms.

Where organic farmers can have just certain portions of their farms and corresponding produce certified as organic while the rest may not fall under the category, biodynamic farms must be certified as such from one end to the next. Organic farmers will plant without regard to astronomical events. Biodynamic farmers will take into account lunar influences in deciding the best time to cultivate certain crops.

We now have a choice beyond organic produce. Biodynamic products are now more available in grocery stores and supermarkets. Just be prepared for the higher prices, which are 10 to 30 percent higher on average than organic produce. Then again, for the benefits of healthier food and a healthier environment, the higher prices are worth it.

Protect the planet as well as your family's health by reducing your consumption of chemical cleaning agents.

Detergents, degreasers, and solvents are the common chemical cleaners used at home. Ordinary detergents contain phosphates, which cause oxygen depletion and localized suffocation of aquatic life. Cleaning products that contain chlorine, potassium hydroxide, solvents and ammonia are equally hazardous to the aquatic life. Degreasers such as those regularly used on boats tend dry out the natural oil needed by fishes’ gills to take in oxygen. When safer, chemical-free and cheaper forms of cleaners can be found in our kitchen counters and cabinets, why must you continue to use hazardous toxic cleaning kits?

Using simple ingredients like water, baking soda, white vinegar, and tea tree oil, you can keep your home stain-free, dust-free, mold-free, and sparkly clean.

Replace your bottles of commercial window cleaners with a mixture of vinegar and water. Put it in your spray bottle and scrub the glass off using old newspapers. For cleaning up your oven, use baking soda instead of your usual powdered cleansers. Wipe up the grease with this white powder and flush it off with water to leave your oven stain-free, grease-free and without traces of dish smell.

Polishing your furniture with homemade solutions is a little bit tricky. Still, try some of these simple recipes to stay far away from chemical-based polishers and cleaners. First recipe, create a mixture of a cup of olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice. Put the mixture in your spray bottle and spray it on the surfaces of your furniture. Buff it off with a soft cloth and you are done. Recipe number two – if olive oil is not available, use jojoba or a liquid wax. Instead of fresh lemon juice, you may use white vinegar to create the mixture. Dab a soft cloth into the solution to remove the grits, dust, and dirt on the surfaces of wood furniture.

If you are in the habit of using laundry fresheners, try using your vodka for a change. You have read it right. Spritzing pure vodka on your clothes helps freshen up worn jeans and jacket in between washes. A spritz or two of vodka over your clothes will evaporate not only the booze scent of the vodka but also the noxious odors of worn clothes. On the other hand, if you wanted to deodorize certain areas in your home, more like in the kitchen, a five percent solution of vinegar in water can be used as a homemade deodorizer. Spray some on your cutting board or bathroom to eliminate the odor.

If you want to remove molds and mildew from your home’s tiled surfaces, especially in the bathroom and kitchen, put 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil into 2 cups of water and use this solution as your cleaner. Also, straight vinegar is equally effective in killing molds.

It is a fact that traces of the chemical ingredients if commercial home cleaning kits are found in our water sources. These chemicals may contaminate the streams, rivers and lakes from which the water in our local water treatment plants may be sourced. Contaminated food and contaminated water equate to disease. By using homemade and non-toxic cleaning solutions, you get the personal gratification of protecting the planet as well as your family’s health by reducing the world’s consumption of chemical cleaning agents. Also, using more earth friendly cleaning kit does not only help the planet recuperate from the pollution and damage caused by chemical wastes, but also yields huge savings on your grocery budget.

There are three distinct types of PBDE products out there. They are penta, octa, and deca PBDE and you need to be on the lookout for them when you make a purchase. The problem is, however, their presence is not mentioned on any products you purchase. That means you need to perform a little research that is certainly more than cursory in order to avoid purchasing such items you wish to avoid.

The presence of such PBDEs in the environment can cause harm to plant and animal life. This is why it is so important people discover its presence in so many products. Understanding that the chemical exists is the first step towards making sure it is disposed of properly. Again, you want to reduce the potentially negative impact the items will have on the environment by reducing the unsafe exposure of the products when they are discarded.

Also, it is important to note that any exposure to PBDEs comes with certain risks. For example, studies have linked the exposure of such toxins to liver and organ damage. As a result, you might wish to be very wary of the presence of these items in the home. Your exposure to them could lead to chronic illnesses over time. The sad part is that many people that suffer from such exposure are not even aware of the origins of the exposure or that it has even occurred. Rather, they are left with the end result which is certainly not pretty.

There are certain steps that can be taken to reduce your potential exposure to the chemicals in your home. Making sure to keep your home clean and free of dust is always a positive step. You also need to make sure that it is properly ventilated which will further add to the ability to reduce exposure and other such problems. Granted, these are minor steps but they come with big potential safety rewards. We are talking about your health here so there are no steps that can be considered small in this regard.

Increasing your education and awareness level would be another positive step in this regard. When you have serious concerns about a product’s impact on the environment, you need to learn as much about the product as possible. Awareness and activism go hand in hand.

More than likely you would be surprised to find out how many common products contain formaldehyde. Just a few items that you have at home or at the office that can include formaldehyde include disinfectants, particle board, air fresheners, doors, glues, foam, old carpet, paints, ironing sprays, furniture, cleaning fluids, furniture, polishes, hair products, cosmetics, and more. When you think about it, it is quite frightening to realize how much formaldehyde is all around you.

Why is formaldehyde such a problem? Well, products that have it will slowly give off vapors that are toxic. If you inhale more than 0.1 concentrations of this toxin, it can lead to headaches, problems breathing, and irritation to the mucous and eye membranes. Many homes, offices, and other enclosed areas have more than this amount in them. Also, when formaldehyde comes into contract with your skin, it can cause dermatitis, burns, and irritation. Too much can even be deadly and the International Agency for Research on Cancer has it listed as a human carcinogen. Not only is this problematic for humans, but it can have the same affect on birds and animals as well.

In urban areas especially, you really can’t totally keep away from formaldehyde. Not only is it created on purpose by man today, but when smog interacts with the sun light, it also creates more formaldehyde. It can be found in the smoke from cigarettes too. While you can’t totally avoid it, there are some things you can do to limit exposure. Driving less can definitely help. Another thing you can do is to examine all products you purchase and look for formaldehyde and the other names it often goes by as well.

Not sure how to figure out what is in your products? It can be hard because some products don’t list their ingredients. The internet can help you out in this case. You can run a search on a search engine like Google or Yahoo. Search by using the product name and ingredients. This way you can find out what ingredients are in the products you are using.

In many cases, instead of purchasing disinfectants, polishes, cleaning fluids, and air fresheners, making your own is a great alternative, allowing you to know what is in the products. Not only can this be better for the environment and your health, but it also can save you a lot of money.

Reduce Food Waste
Your grocery bill may constitute more than 50 percent of your total household bills. Thus, any and all efforts to reduce food wastes will add up to big benefits to your pockets and to the environment for many reasons. You can achieve this end by:

• Lessening your food consumption in terms of shopping for groceries.
• Using leftovers for new dishes and enforcing a no-dregs policy
• Planning meals in advance to avoid too much leftovers

Use Heaters Wisely
We are so dependent on hot water for many of our needs from washing our bodies to washing our dishes and clothes. Well, go green by choosing cold water for many activities in the house. Start by taking cold showers when the weather permits instead of hot tub baths. Then progress into using unheated tap water for washing your hands, dishes and clothes. Studies have shown that tap water is just as effective in killing germs as hot water. The trick is in washing your hands properly for 20 seconds, soaking the clothes for 30 minutes to remove stubborn dirt and washing off the dregs on the eating utensils before placing on a full dishwasher.

Unplug the Appliances
You can save as much as 10-15 percent of your electricity bill simply by unplugging the cords from their sockets when these are not in use. This is because so-called phantom electricity does not flow from the grid into your appliances. And speaking of appliances, you can save money by either buying ones with the Energy Star logo or ones that have been refurbished. Of course, make sure that the refurbished appliances are also energy-efficient. You ought to save money in the long run instead of sticking to your run-down appliances. However, do recycle said old appliances with the manufacturers or with the recycling centers.

You can also find ways to save money on the accessories associated with your appliances. For example, you can exchange CDs, DVDs and computer games with your family and friends, or even with strangers via dedicated online sites.

Use Recycled Materials for Your Home
As much as possible, use recycled materials for your home. You can purchase scrap lumber from hardware stores, vintage wood and glass panels from garage sales and old houses, utensils and ornaments made of recycled materials from green stores and sites, to name a few options. You will often spend less on these items and yet get as much mileage as you possibly can from them. Better yet, you should adopt the motto of environmentalists everywhere – reduce, reuse and recycle. You will soon find that indeed being eco-friendly has its rewards for you and for your children’s children.

Starting today, do look around your home and see what else needs to be done to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. And earn as well as save money while you are at it!