Building contractors work diligently to realize clients’ remodeling dreams. Many are equally conscious of the materials involved, both going in, and coming out of, the home renovating process, and make sustainability and recycling an important part of the project.
In the course of home remodeling work, there is always job site waste. When replacing elements from a home, many contractors recycle as much of the old material as possible. Drywall, asphalt roof shingles, metals, plastics, glass, wood, concrete, and cardboard can all be either recycled or reclaimed for future use. On average, Americans could recycle as much as 70% of their daily waste, yet they only actually recycle about 30%. By making environmentally conscious decisions at a jobs site, a contractor does his part to keep as much material out of landfills as possible.
Another way building contractors strive for sustainability is to incorporate products made from recycled materials into the new elements of the home. Whenever possible, they use only renewable, natural, and plentiful building materials harvested from sustainably-managed and certified sources. Buying resources available locally saves the energy and resources needed for transportation.
The specific applications of these green practices are as varied as the homes contractors improve. Consider tile—in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in the house. When adding (or even removing) tile, it is an opportunity for recycling. When shopping for new tile, consider glass or ceramic tile made from recycled materials. Some companies make their products from 70%–100% recycled clay and glass. CRT glass, in particular, is an especially brilliant application, as it is made from the screens of old televisions, computers, and other screened devices. As our technology-driven culture tends to favor regular replacement of our gadgets, practices such as making things from recycled CRT glass are extremely helpful in keeping e-waste material out of landfills. And, this type of tile comes in a wide variety of styles and colors and looks beautiful in the home.
A few other sustainable building materials include: solar roof tiles, which function like solar panels on the roof, but are integrated into the tile itself; sustainable concrete, which is made with recycled materials in the mix, such as glass or slag (a steel manufacturing byproduct); and paper insulation, which is made from recycled cardboard and newspaper, works better than foam, and is resistant to insects and fire due to the natural chemicals used. Bamboo and specially certified wood are also renewable resources.
At Sovereign Construction Services, we care about the quality of your home remodeling project, but we also care about the Earth we all share. We are committed to recycling and sustainability practices, from design through to installation. For more information contact us today at 610-639-2986 or via email at steve@sovereignconstructionservices.com
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