Probably one of the most encouraging aspects of green and sustainable practice is how cost-effective it can be. Installing energy efficient windows lowers your heating bill and helps conserve energy. Long-lasting lightbulbs, when utilized properly, can reduce waste and save you money on your power bill. When it comes to home building or renovation, recycling building materials or incorporating recycled materials into your design can translate into substantial savings.
I recently came across the greenGoat website through this article in Design New England.
The founder of greenGoat, Amy Bauman, collects construction materials that are being discarded and finds new locations for them. From the article: “When homeowners donate old materials to greenGoat, they get a tax deduction that can recoup more than the cost of deinstalling the materials.” So, even if your plans don’t include reusing old materials, you can still participate in this process and ultimately ease one of the highest costs of construction.
In yesterday’s post, I mused on the stories that accompany the objects that we own and the materials we use to build our homes. Just as certain cuts of limestone hold a prehistoric charm, re-using discarded materials like old tiles or stained glass can add all sorts of vintage appeal to a project. What’s even more alluring than the story these recycled materials tell about their own history is the story they could tell about you and your values, your concern for life and the environment.
What do you think? Will you be incorporating reused materials in your next project? Do you intend to donate your discarded materials to an organization like greenGoat? What about past experiences—have you utilized greenGoat, or similar organizations? How was your experience? Tell us! Leave a comment!
No comments:
Post a Comment