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Page 11 of 15 pages « First < 9 10 11 12 13 > Last »
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Quarry Tile Co.
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Lily Livingston's Review
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Flooring
Stone & Tile
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Approved by Subject Editors on March 25, 2005
Reviewed by Lily Livingston
Eco-Tile is a ceramic tile that contains about 70% recycled solid waste, preventing this same waste from going into public and private landfills. The recycled content is a combination of post-consumer recycled glass (about 25%), post-industrial grinding paste from the computer industry, and post-industrial mining waste from the sand and gravel industry (post-industrial about 45%). All of the recycled waste products are within a 10 to 350 mile radius of their manufacturing plant, which replace virgin materials that were previously brought in from as far away as 2300 miles. From a lifecycle perspective, fuel consumed while transporting materials carries the burden of the energy used to extract, transport, and process that fuel. In addition to depleting fossil fuel reserves, the energy used for transporting materials also contributes to the global problems of spills and contamination that come with the extraction and transport of those fuels, and, most significantly, releases pollutants into the atmosphere. Although this tile is manufactured in Spokane, Washington, a distance of almost 990 miles from the Bay Area, there is the environmental benefit that within the radius of its own manufacturing area the distances are reduced, thus reducing the impacts associated with manufacturing transportation. In addition to the recycled content percentage posted for their product, Eco-Tile contains up to 10% by weight of a reprocessed glaze waste that is put back into the clay body. This glaze waste is recycled from over-spray, body scrap, and process waste in a closed-loop, zero-discharge, water reclamation system. Eco-tile is available in over 50 colors and 5 field tile sizes. To maintain good indoor air quality, avoid using sealers, mortars, grout, and adhesives that contain petroleum or plastic additives and check the volatile organic compound (VOC) levels of the material when specifying this tile.
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Neil Kelly Cabinetry
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Lydia Corser's Review
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Furniture
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004
Reviewed by Lydia Corser
Although Neil Kelly offers certified sustainably harvested woods in their cabinet line, the Naturals Collection, it is not the focus of their business. The cabinetry industrys' harvest and use of many species of trees has a huge impact on our forests. Neil Kelly is a Natural Step company, however, and the only mainstream cabinet company to use wheatboard cabinet bodies. Every aspect of the way the company does business has been scrutinized regarding environmental impact and low- and no-waste programs are integrated into everyday operations.
The consumer needs to ask for low- and no-VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes on the cabinetry. Since the cabinet bodies are made with wheatboard as a standard procedure, there is no formaldehyde outgassing, as there would be with conventional factory cabinetry made from particle board, which contain urea formaldehyde glues. Installers can use standard wood glue and a nail gun to minimize installation impacts on homeowner health.
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JDH Distribution
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Cassandra Adams's Review
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Clear Coatings
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Approved by Subject Editors on April 15, 2005
Reviewed by Cassandra Adams
The MSDS for Naturel indicates that it contains no toxic ingredients and is biodegradable. However, it states that the product has a piney scent, so it may negatively affect some people with respiratory problems. We suggest that people especially sensitive to indoor air quality check their own reactions to the product before using it.
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Oceanside Glasstile
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Cassandra Adams's Review
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Countertops
Flooring
Stone & Tile
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Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005
Reviewed by Cassandra Adams
These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.
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Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
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marycordaro's Review
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Paint
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004
Reviewed by marycordaro
From an environmental standpoint, from 'cradle to grave', Old Fashioned Milk Paint is one of the most benign finishing products, not only for the planet, but also for the applicator and the end user. It is also made in the U.S., unlike most natural finish products on the market. Many chemically sensitive people can apply milk paint themselves, because it is relatively easy to apply, and even in its wet, uncured state, it has almost no odor. It is virtually odor free when fully dried and cured. All the ingredients in milk paint are natural, and from renewable sources. The milk paint and pigments (excluding the Clear Coat sealer and Extra Bond additive) contain no synthetic ingredients. It is sold as a dry powder, and the applicator simply adds water. As a dry powder, there is no need for synthetic biocides. The paint product is preserved with borax.
From application, aesthetic and maintenance standpoints, this product has some limitations. First, it is not appropriate for high moisture rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Secondly, unless it is sealed with the accompanying acrylic sealer, it will not provide a cleanable surface, and will spot if it gets wet. Thirdly, the overall appearance and feel is somewhat 'chalky'. The look on a wall is not a standardized, perfect look, and is better suited for those who like a wall to look somewhat varied. However, when used in appropriate rooms, it holds up well over time, including the color. The manufacturer recommends using their synthetic additive called "Extra Bond" for painting over existing flat wall paint, because in some cases, milk paint may not stick to previously painted wall surfaces. However, because Extra Bond, a synthetic additive, is not biocide free, adding this to the mixture takes the paint from a 100% natural, non-toxic to a low toxic status, particularly for extremely sensitive people. Many people have had success painting milk paint over existing water-based, synthetic paints, but it is best to do an adhesion test first. For those who desire a completely natural surface with no electro-static charge (to which less dust will stick) one can avoid the recommended sealer. I have worked with mothers of small children who prefer to mix a little extra paint on the spot, and apply it right over soiled or damaged areas, rather than use the manufactures recommended sealer. This works best when the wall has a ragged, sponged, or other varied look.
For new, unpainted drywall, the manufacturer recommends using a water-based latex paint primer. To retain the wonderful breathability and chemical free attributes of milk paint, pick a primer that has good vapor transmission (does not block moisture vapor). is No VOC, and preferably biocide free.
Milk paint is most durable and long lasting when applied to raw wood and earthen walls, as it was used as long ago as 6000 years. It is almost impossible to remove it from raw wood. However, as a wall paint used on conventional drywall, for the right person with the correct application, this product can be the perfect product, and will look good for at least several years.
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Environ Biocomposites
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Eric Freed's Review
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Countertops
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004
Reviewed by Eric Freed
The Environ products use rapidly renewable agricultural byproducts, materials that are normally burned or plowed under by the farmer. Environ is deeply committed to sustainability. They even reuse their own in-house waste. All composite and solid surface materials require a primary ingredient and a binding agent to hold it together. Environ products uses either waste newsprint, sunflower hulls or wheat straw put into a soy-based resin system. These ingredients are zero waste and rapidly renewable.
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Danko Persing Enterprises
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Lydia Corser's Review
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Furniture
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 14, 2004
Reviewed by Lydia Corser
I love this company! They have examined many aspects of green design, incorporating them into their company philosophy and products. They are using bent plywood for ecological reasons, which are eloquently outlined on their website.
The furniture has largely finished offgassing by the time it gets to its destination. The standard finish is a pre-catylized lacquer as it is proven to be the most durable for many of the commercial environments they service. However, they will use a water borne acrylic finish upon request. There is an upcharge for this finish for less than 20 units.
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Sutherland Welles Ltd.
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Marian Keeler's Review
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Clear Coatings
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Approved by Subject Editors on September 22, 2004
Reviewed by Marian Keeler
A solvent, albeit a 100% naturally derived and renewable solvent, is still a solvent. The AIA's Environmental Resource Guide estimates that the total embodied energy for traditional varnishes is 503,668 BTUs/Gal, including transportation activities. There are VOC and particulate emissions during the growing and extraction of plant oils necessary for some products: Sox, NOx, CO2, CO, among others. People with MCS may still encounter problems with this product, even though it is the result of 5 years' worth of R&D, yielding lower toxicity driers and a 100% citrus derived renewable natural solvent. Many water bourne wood floor finishes are not as durable as their oil-based counterparts, but the trade-off is compromised indoor air quality. It would be a worthwhile investment to re-apply the sealer more frequently than one would ordinarily apply it in the interest of protecting a young family and reducing their chemical burden.
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PPG / Pittsburgh Paints
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Miriam Landman's Review
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Paint
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 11, 2004
Reviewed by Miriam Landman
Green Seal certified that this product is very-low-VOC and low-toxic. It is also available in a wide range of colors (including deep colors), which is not true of many other low-VOC paints.
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Quartzitec
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Debra Lynn Dadd's Review
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Flooring
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 06, 2005
Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd
There are several environmental benefits to this product. In comparison to other flooring materials, it is extremely durable, thereby reducing the need to utilize more resources for frequent replacement. It is made using quartz from an abundant local quarry, mixed with cement, thereby making a tile that is both nontoxic and recyclable. Also, because they are made with cement instead of resin, they will not yellow in the sun, again, extending their life over other similar products. The manufacturing process incorporates water recycling to optimize resource management.
This is a low maintenance flooring, reducing the need for frequent cleaning or waxing.
This product is an excellent choice for supporting good indoor air quality. It has zero emissions.
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