Green Building and Green Remodeling:
What is a Green Room?
by Dr. Alan Greene
www.drgreene.com
When
decorating or remodeling any room of your home, “green” means using
products and materials that include the following characteristics:
1. Are locally manufactured. Buying products
manufactured nearby cuts down on the waste of fuel and the emissions
that result from transporting goods long distances, and also supports
your local economy.
2. Conserve natural resources. These include products
that are made from rapidly renewable materials generally produced from
agricultural crops, such as organic cotton, wool, sisal, cork, and
bamboo, and products made from wood derived from certified well-managed
forests. Examples include cork and bamboo flooring.
3. Are salvaged. Some construction and decorating
components can be reused or rescued, thus reducing the consumption of
new products made from raw materials. Examples include period hardware
and millwork.
4. Contain recycled content. These include products
made of materials that have been diverted from the landfill and put into
the production of new products. An example is flooring made of reclaimed
wood.
5. Are made to last. Green products don’t need frequent
replacement. Well-made items constructed from quality materials stay out
of landfills and incinerators and save the production costs of
replacement products.
6. Avoid toxic emissions. Green products minimize toxic
industrial chemicals and contribute to a healthy home environment.
Examples include zero- or low-VOC paints, caulks, and adhesives.
With these criteria in mind, let’s start the green nursery makeover with
an empty room, then furnish, decorate, and stock it with products that
are safe for both the baby and the environment.
Remember, every change you make in the green direction is a positive
step. So whether you make one small change or redo the entire room
“green,” you’re contributing to the green movement and giving your child
a healthier home in which to have her sweet dreams. It’s a good feeling
knowing you are doing something that’s right for your family and the
planet—and at the same time creating a beautiful living space
About
the Author:
Dr. Alan Greene, author of
Raising Baby Green, is a graduate of Princeton University and the
University of California San Francisco. In addition to being the founder
of www.DrGreene.com,
he is the Chief Medical Officer of A.D.A.M., and the Pediatric Expert
for WebMD. He is the Chair Elect of The Organic Center and on the
Advisory Board of Healthy Child Healthy World. Dr. Greene appears
frequently on TV, radio, websites, and in print including appearances on
The Today Show, Fox and Friends, The Wall Street Journal, Parents
Magazine, and US Weekly. Dr. Greene is a practicing pediatrician at
Stanford University's Packard Children's Hospital.
Other Momscape Articles by Dr. Alan Greene:
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