February 2013 Residential Communications Resources
Topic: Remodeling
Blog
Smart Home Remodeling by Design
The greenest building is the one already built, yet sometimes that building needs a
makeover. Homeowners have many opportunities during the lifecycle of a remodeling
project to make decisions that will result in less waste while making their budget go
further.
Make Intentions Clear
Consumers have become savvier about green construction practices and products, and
contractors are responding.
If you’re hiring contractors to help you with anything from attic insulation to gutting the
kitchen, have conversations early in the process about your expectations for managing
materials. Let them know reducing waste and conserving resources are priorities for you.
You can find a contractor trained in green building at www.mngreenstar.org.
Purchase Green Products
In January 2013, the American National Standards Institute approved the National Green
Building Standard, which includes changes that make it easier for builders to get their
green remodeling projects rated. The list of green approved products to choose from is
growing constantly. To learn more, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/raaucr4.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Effectively managing your construction materials is one of the most important steps to
green remodeling. Professionals in the building trade estimate that inadequate planning
can result in up to 20 percent waste of materials. Double check measurements and lists of
materials needed before purchasing.
Salvage Material
Deconstruction, instead of demolition, can dramatically reduce the volume of waste
generated during a home remodel. Learn more about materials that can be removed and
companies who handle them at RethinkRecycling.com or by searching online for “used
building material.”
Donating your leftover or salvaged building materials enables someone else to benefit
from them, and you may be able to get a tax break. You also can make your budget go
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board as a part of the Rethink Recycling education
campaign. Please help us track the use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of
how the materials were used, the date(s) it will be published, and the estimated reach/circulation/impressions.
further by incorporating salvaged items into your plans.
Some Items Don’t Belong in the Trash
Oil-based paint, stain and varnish contain hazardous ingredients. Do not put these items
in the trash and do not mix them with latex paint. A small amount of latex paint that has
completely dried can be placed in the trash with the lid off. Take leftover paint, stain and
varnish to your county household hazardous waste drop-off site. Site locations and hours
are listed on RethinkRecycling.com/hhw.
Visit RethinkRecycling.com to find ways to reuse or recycle packaging and building
materials, such as carpet or appliances.
Social Media
Tweets:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Roses are red. Shamrocks are green. We’ve got the best recycling resources you’ve
ever seen! www.rethinkrecycling.com
Recoverable items in a remodeling job: cabinets, lumber, plumbing, lighting,
concrete. For disposal ideas, check out http://bit.ly/12mPDon
Building a 2,000-square-foot home may generate 8,000 pounds of waste, enough
to fill a bedroom.
The US has about 125 million single-family homes, mostly built before energyefficiency developments = a huge market for green remodeling.
61% of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs,
according to the National Association of Home Builders.
How far will 1 gallon of paint go? 400 square feet. Measure twice, buy the right
amount. http://bit.ly/12mR1HF
Thinking of replacing that old carpet? Give it new life by recycling! Here’s how:
http://bit.ly/12mRslb
MN law requires that all major appliances be reused or recycled. Find recycling
options at http://bit.ly/12mRJEJ
Mercury thermostats don’t belong in the trash. Bring them to a county HHW site for
recycling. http://bit.ly/12mSoWE
Facebook Posts:
1.
This Valentines’ Day think green instead of red. Show Mother Earth some love on
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board as a part of the Rethink Recycling education
campaign. Please help us track the use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of
how the materials were used, the date(s) it will be published, and the estimated reach/circulation/impressions.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
your home remodeling decisions by choosing green approved products.
http://www.greenapprovedproducts.com
Roses are red. Shamrocks are green. We’ve got the best recycling resources you’ve
ever seen. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com
Building a home? Green Certified homes are built to have a smaller environmental
impact than a code-minimum home. Ask your builder if they comply with the new
National Green Building Standard, adopted in January 2013.
Waste from the construction of a typical 2,000-square-foot home adds up to about
8,000 pounds, taking up 50 cubic yards of space in a landfill. That’s about the size
of a bedroom! The easiest way to go green is to buy a house rather than build.
If ¼ of the buildings demolished every year were deconstructed instead, with
recoverable materials being recycled or reused, about 20 million tons of debris
could be diverted from landfills.
For a building or remodeling project to receive National Green Building Certification
it must accumulate points in six categories: lot design, resource efficiency, energy
efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and owner education.
How old is your home? The US has about 125 million single-family homes with the
majority built before energy-efficiency developments, suggesting a huge market for
green remodeling. Looking for ideas? ENERGY STAR can help get you started.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_in
dex
61% of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs,
according to the National Association of Home Builders. What’s the biggest or best
energy conservation investment you’ve made?
Got a green remodeling tip to share? Green remodeling can provide increased
comfort and make a home easier and less expensive to maintain using properly
installed, durable products.
Thinking of replacing that old carpet? Give it new life by recycling! Bro-Tex Inc
accepts carpet for recycling at several locations throughout the Twin Cities.
http://www.brotex.com/carpetrecycling.aspx.
Paint once, but measure twice! Calculate how much paint to buy using this handy
on-line paint calculator. You also can use this rule of thumb: Purchase 1 gallon of
paint for every 400 square feet of area to paint. Buying the right amount will
reduce waste and save you money. Ask your paint retailer for additional help.
Did you know it’s illegal to throw thermostats containing mercury in the garbage?
Instead, take them to your county’s household hazardous waste drop-off site for
recycling. More information on mercury is on our website.
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/mercurythermometers-thermostats
If mercury is spilled in your home, do not vacuum it up. Here are the US
Environmental Protection Agency’s instructions on how to safely clean up mercury.
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board as a part of the Rethink Recycling education
campaign. Please help us track the use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of
how the materials were used, the date(s) it will be published, and the estimated reach/circulation/impressions.
In case of a large mercury spill, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651-649-5451,
day or night, for assistance.
14. Minnesota law requires all major appliances be either reused or recycled. Discarded
appliances are second only to automobiles as a source of recycled metals. Check
out our website for a list of major appliances and how to recycle them.
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/materials-name/appliances
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board as a part of the Rethink Recycling education
campaign. Please help us track the use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of
how the materials were used, the date(s) it will be published, and the estimated reach/circulation/impressions.