Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Building
For the past 20 years Americans have been consumed with consumption. It is the basis of our economic model. It is no wonder then, that our preferences for our homes has been to have bigger and better. We have been obsessed with stuff, and more of it.
Possessions have become an indicator of our status, our wealth, success, our happiness. Of course this is a very short sighted philosophy in terms of both: a sustainable economic system and our planet’s health.
The more we need, the more we consume, thus creating a multitude of complicated problems. Our seas are overfished; Vast forests and numerous wildlife species are being wiped out in search of fossil fuels, lumber, precious metals and such; We are expelling massive amounts of carbon into our atmosphere; Streams and vital waterways are being polluted; There are food shortages across the globe, even as gluttony is a predominate characteristic of western culture. All of these factors have been piling on top of one another, and it seems we are on the verge of a tipping point.
People are now seeing the errors of our ways, and many are creating captivating solutions and more sustainable business and lifestyle models. From the constant energy demands to the raw materials that they use, homes are one of the primary sources and locations of our consumption.
Smart, efficient, and sustainable practices are now becoming the norm when it come to building.
Reduce
Homeowners are now realizing that size does matter. The smaller your home, the less resources you will consume. Heating and cooling smaller homes cuts way back on energy needs, and the materials you require to build your home will be significantly reduced.
Having a smaller home creates a ripple effect of reduction. A more modest home often means hot water in your pipes will travel shorter distances, limiting fuel use for heating requirements.
Less areas to clean, mean fewer cleaning pollutants. A smaller footprint often means you are less disruptive to the surrounding environment.
Another important aspect of having a more manageable home, albeit often less quantified, is the amount of money you save. This fact could afford people the opportunity to work less or have a more flexible schedule, which often leads to gasoline savings and fewer automotive problems. It means more money for traveling, or more time for gardening.
By reducing, people gain greater freedoms and more control of their lives.
Reuse
Reusing can often be a harder concept to wrap your hands around when it comes to building. Of course, you can salvage older materials and reclaim them for your project. This requires quite a bit of flexibility on the homeowners part and the designers.
You often have to weigh the benefits versus the cost of this type of building. While you may be conserving materials you may spend more on transportation or labor and energy. Another type of reusing is within the built structure.
Gaining multiple uses out of systems or materials that traditionally have only one function. There is a growing number of architects and designers that are tying home systems together to gain the most efficiency out of buildings.
Many capture airflow to assist in cooling and heating homes, use water catchment, use sunlight for power, heating, lighting.
Planning for future reclaiming is also being taken into consideration when building. By using bolts and screws as opposed to nails, it is easier to reuse materials.
Recycling
There are two sides to recycling. If you are disposing of materials, make sure that as much as possible is directed towards recyclers. While many municipalities and counties offer recycling programs, there are also many other resources to consider when getting rid of unwanted matter.
If you have over-ordered or have off-cut goods that are still usable, you can often resell these products on Craigslist, in local newspapers, or other classified resources. Even if you don’t want to sell them, you can often give them away to someone who is willing to load and remove them at no expense.
Conversely, if you are creative, you can find many materials at pennies on the dollar in some of the similar resources mentioned above. Look for buildings or homes that are being demolished or remodeled.
Often times a friendly conversation with a lead contractor or foreman can produce some valuable materials and additional resources. If you are more limited in recycling opportunities, and have to purchase materials from lumberyards or building supplies stores, try to shop responsibly.
Buy recycled materials when at all possible. There are many products now that are made from recycled plastics that outperform your run-of-the-mill building supplies.
