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Earth-Friendly Wood Finishes

Earth-Friendly Finishes for your Wood

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

cabinets.jpg

The source of wood isn’t the only concern with cabinets; glues and finishes are also a factor. Many green cabinetmakers offer less toxic options.

• For good indoor air quality, request that cabinetmakers use low-VOC, formaldehyde-free glues and adhesives on your cabinets.

• Choose low-VOC, water-based paints, stains and finishes.

• If you enjoy the patina that comes from use and age, and if you live in an arid climate where humidity won’t warp the wood, leave your cabinets unfinished.

• Melamine, the same substance lately contaminating some pet food, is used to laminate cabinets, making them water and stain resistant. Melamine coatings are inert, insoluable, and unlikely to ingested at home; however, they can cause skin, eye and throat irritation and possibly kidney damage in factory workers. The substance is not biodegradable or recyclable, and it’s persistent in the environment. Steer away from melamine in an eco-minded home.

Here’s some additional ideas to keep the eco-friendly behavior going all year long:
Take one step each month to lose 3,000 pounds, then keep shedding that weight.

Month Activity Calculation CO2 Savings:

• January 1: Turn down your thermostat by 2 degrees (53 lbs./mo.) x 6 mos. 318 lbs.

• February 1: Run dishwasher only when full and on its energy-saver mode (70 lbs./mo.) x 11 mos. 770 lbs.

• March 1: Wash clothes in cold water rather than hot (42 lbs./mo.) x 10 mos. 420 lbs.

• April 1: Keep tires properly inflated (21 lbs./mo.) x 9 mos 189 lbs.

• May 1: Dry half your clothes on the clothes line or drying rack (60 lbs./mo.) x 8 mos. 480 lbs.

• June 1: Raise your thermostat from 72 to 73 degrees this summer (40 lbs./mo.) x 4 mos. 160 lbs.

• July 1: Plug electronics into power strip and turn off when not in use (20 lbs./mo.) x 6 mos. 120 lbs.

• August 1: Insulate your water heater (26 lbs./mo.) x 5 mos. 130 lbs.

• September 1: Caulk and weatherstrip your home (72 lbs./mo.) x 4 mos. 288 lbs.

• October 1: Take the bus to work one day a week (13 lbs./mo.) x 3 mos. 39 lbs.

• November 1: Clean your refrigerator’s coils and defrost it regularly (58 lbs./mo.) x 2 mos. 116 lbs.

• December 1: Replace one 70 watt bulb with a 9 watt LED (5 lbs./mo.) x 1 mo. 5 lbs.

YEAR TOTAL 3,035 pounds
If every U.S. household took these steps 160 million tons

*Natural and Sustianable Living Tip: Buy in bulk to avoid excess package waste within your own home.

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