Building the Ultimate Green Kitchen

You’ve switched to recycled paper products, tap water, and a cloth bag to carry your groceries. Now you want to remodel your kitchen in an ecoconscious fashion.

Is it possible to have a 100 percent green kitchen? Yes, if you are prepared to install a wind generator in your backyard and start living off the grid. For the rest of us, there are some completely realistic changes we could make that would have long-lasting effects.

While CHOW doesn’t recommend unnecessary refurbishing—part of being green is maximizing what you have, not creating more waste—there are many new smart, environmentally friendly options available if you do want to freshen things up.

We took a look at floors, cabinets, countertops, appliances, and a few other odds and ends and asked:

» Is it nontoxic?
» Does it contain recycled content, or can it be recycled after use?
» Is it biodegradable?
» Is it sustainably harvested?
» Is it made from renewable materials?
» Does it reduce energy or water consumption?
» Does it meet or beat strict European indoor air quality standards?
» Is it durable so it will not need to be replaced?
» Does it come from a green business?
» Is it the best in its class?

Products and materials that received an overwhelming yes to a majority of the questions made the cut, and are featured in this guide. So dig in and let the greening begin!

What It All Means

CHOW’s green glossary

» Biodegradable: Material that has the ability to be broken down naturally by microorganisms.

» Carbon Footprint: A measure of the impact human activity has on the planet in terms of greenhouse gases produced. Measured in units of carbon dioxide.

» Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): An international nonprofit organization devoted to responsibly managing the world’s forests. FSC ensures that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way. Forests, manufacturers, and retailers that meet FSC’s strict standards are given FSC certification.

» Off-Gassing: The evaporation of VOCs (see “Volatile Organic Compound” below) from certain solids and liquids.

» Reclaim: Obtain and use material—retaining its original purpose—that would otherwise go to waste.

» Recycle: Taking waste material and turning it into usable raw material to make a new product. Postconsumer waste is materials or products that have served their original purpose—generally garbage thrown out by individuals. Postindustrial waste is the leftover material from manufacturing processes.

» Reduce: Cutting back on consumption rates to decrease waste.

» Renewable: A resource that is able to naturally regenerate itself faster than it’s consumed.

» Reuse: Finding a new way to use a product instead of throwing it out or recycling it.

» Sustainable: A process or system that can be maintained indefinitely without impact on its environment or other systems that may depend on it.

» Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): An air-polluting organic chemical compound like methane or formaldehyde that is emitted as a gas from solids and liquids. Many VOCs are greenhouse gases and suspected carcinogens.

Michele Foley is an associate editor at CHOW.

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“Drop samples on the floor, soak them in water, scuff them and see how easy they clean up.”

The typical kitchen floor is made, these days, of either vinyl, wood, stone, or tile. These materials are typically manufactured using toxic components and irresponsibly sourced building supplies.

To find out if a retailer sells ecofriendly flooring, ask if he or she is affiliated with any environmental or green building programs, like FSC, LEED, or FloorScore. If the answer is yes, the retailer is more likely to offer green products.

Once you’ve decided on a retailer, you need to decide what to buy. Always look for materials with low levels of VOCs for installation and finish. And like anything you buy, sample the goods first. Mari Strain, owner of Flooring Alternatives, recommends that you “drop samples on the floor, soak them in water, scuff them and see how easy they clean up.” Because the kitchen is such a high-traffic area, you’ll want durable materials that are easy to maintain. CHOW recommends one of these three: strand bamboo, linoleum, or cork.

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The ecoconscious love bamboo because it’s rapidly renewable and sustainable. It looks and feels like wood—but often carries a cheaper price tag—and is extremely durable. However, it’s important to know that not all bamboo is green.

A member of the grass family, bamboo grows fast and is simple to farm, adapting easily to a harvesting cycle of five years, without the use of irrigation or pesticides. Because the root system of a bamboo grove is not killed when the stalks are cut, the harvesting cycle can continue as long as the grove stays healthy.

But as bamboo has become trendy, some unsavory growers have entered the marketplace. They clear-cut forests to grow bamboo, cut stalks before maturity, or use harmful pesticides in the growing.

Because there are no groups that monitor bamboo farms (like FSC does with forests), you’ll have to do a little more work to make sure you’re getting green bamboo. Shop exclusively with green retailers and ask about the source of the bamboo they sell. It’s a major selling point to have responsibly farmed bamboo, so chances are it will already be advertised as such. For online retailers, shop EcoTimber, Smith & Fong Plyboo, or Bamboo Hardwoods.

You can also buy what’s called strand bamboo: recycled bamboo strips that are thrashed, bundled, and pressed together. It’s a fairly new material that’s extremely dense and long-wearing—it’s twice as hard as oak and standard bamboo flooring—making it a good fit for high-traffic areas. And strand bamboo doesn’t dent and is less susceptible to water damage. The only drawback is that it’s a little tough on the back when standing up for long periods.

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Smith & Fong Plyboo

These strand flooring planks are available in a dark or honey stain. Cofounder Dan Smith makes at least six trips a year to China to oversee quality and environmental control of the bamboo farms he sources from. To further ensure socially and environmentally responsible processes, Plyboo is part owner of the factories where its bamboo manufacturing takes place—a rarity in the industry. $5.99 per square foot.

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Bamboo Hardwoods

This company is one of the largest bamboo retailers in the country and still manages to follow green business practices. The company hires contractors to monitor and maintain the quality standards in the factories its bamboo comes from. Its four varieties of strand bamboo will run you $2 to $6 per square foot.

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Not to be confused with vinyl, linoleum is an all-natural flooring product made of renewable materials like linseed oil, pine rosins, and wood that’s been ground up into a kind of flour. Often referred to as the “40-year floor” because of its durability, it was invented in 1860 by rubber manufacturer Frederick Walton, and remained popular until the 1950s, when inexpensive synthetic flooring (like vinyl) was introduced. Due in large part to the green movement, linoleum is back. It’s available in many colors, and because it’s sold in tiles, you can mix and match to create patterns.

Linoleum is durable, easy to clean, and should last you at least 40 years if maintained properly. If you get rid of it, it’s biodegradable. And the manufacturing process has little to no impact on the environment.

The downsides at the moment are that all linoleum is made in Europe, so it travels a distance to get here. And some people don’t like linoleum’s strong linseed-oil smell. The scent goes away as the oil oxidizes over time.

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Marmoleum

This linoleum line was developed by the Swiss floor-covering manufacturer Forbo. It is the linoleum of choice for green retailers, says Taja di Leonardi, owner of EcoHome Improvement. Forbo controls 90 percent of the $40 million U.S. linoleum market, and has earned numerous awards and certifications for its sustainability practices. $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot.

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Marmoleum Click

Prefinished squares and planks built with a tongue-and-groove system allow you to “click” the panels into place. So, in theory, you could install it yourself with no glue. Only you’d have to cut the panels to make them fit when you got to the edges of your floor. $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot.

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Armstrong

In the late 1990s the flooring giant Armstrong bought German company Deutsche Linoleum Werke, the second-largest linoleum manufacturer in the world. Armstrong’s linoleum is sold in sheets rather than tiles, and must be glued down on an extremely flat service, so you’ll definitely need a professional installer. $2 to $3 per square foot.

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Cork flooring is another retro material first popular in the early 1900s. It’s made of tiny pieces of cork oak bark, typically left over from wine-stopper manufacturing. Notable buildings sporting cork floors include the Library of Congress and several residences designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (the most well-known being Fallingwater). Cork is sound- and heat-insulating, as well as skid-, fire-, and mold-resistant. It’s resilient, springing back to its original shape if dented. And it’s soft and warm underfoot, providing nice relief if you’re standing for an extended period. Best of all, it’s a renewable and biodegradable resource that’s easily recycled.

Cork doesn’t hurt the trees it comes from. It’s harvested from the dead outer bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber) every 9 to 15 years. The bark regenerates quickly. One slight drawback, green-wise, is that cork is imported from Spain or Portugal, increasing its carbon footprint.

Cork flooring comes in a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. It can look woodsy and natural, or be brightly colored. Not all cork flooring is finished with nontoxic materials, however. It’s best to shop with reputable green dealers to ensure that the cork you buy is free of toxins. Find a green retailer near you by doing a simple Google search or using sites like GreenHomeGuide, TreeHugger.com, and Re-nest.com.

Cork can also be sourced online through these responsible manufacturers: We Cork, Nova Distinctive Floors, APC Cork, Cork Concepts, and Natural Cork.

cork

Cork Options

Cork is sold as both glue-down tiles and tongue-and-groove planks. This gallery shows a small sample of the variety of styles available. Cork typically starts at $5 per square foot.

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Tips
Samples

Cut down on the amount of materials needed for construction.

Most people have low-quality cabinets made from toxic materials. Those modular particle board deals covered in laminate were manufactured with formaldehyde and bad-for-the-environment adhesives. Not only did they take a toll on air quality when they were made, they continue to release minute amounts of toxic fumes (called off-gassing) that you’re breathing. Or perhaps your cabinets are high-quality wooden ones. Are they crafted from sustainable forests? Probably not.

Open shelving makes the kitchen look larger and provides easy access. It’s also a fun way to show off collections and pretty dishes.

Frameless cabinetry is widely used in Europe.

When looking for green cabinets, you have a few options:

» Consider installing open shelving or frameless cabinets to cut down on the amount of materials needed for construction. That way even if you’re using particle board and laminate from Ikea, you’re at least using a lot less of it.

» Reface or replace cabinet doors rather than the entire system. You reduce the amount of waste and can save 50 percent in cost, while getting a new look. Be sure to use environmentally friendly products and materials for construction.

If you want to replace your entire cabinet system, it will cost you. You’ll have to do a custom installation with cabinets built from salvaged lumber or new wood from an FSC-certified forest. Or you’ll want to find alternative materials made from recycled goods, produced and installed free of harmful toxins or chemicals.

» Reduce your carbon footprint by finding a green cabinet-builder or -dealer within a 500-mile radius of you, or a contractor willing to follow your green rules. GreenHomeGuide is an invaluable resource that connects local green builders and vendors with consumers. If your contractor is new to green building or you are a DIYer, you can find raw building materials at Columbia Forest Products, which makes nontoxic particle board; Smith & Fong Plyboo, which sells sustainably harvested bamboo; and TerraMai, CitiLog, and Timeless Timber, which all sell salvaged wood. And before you throw out your old cabinet system, think about reusing it in the garage or laundry room for extra storage space.

Tips
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Tips
Samples

Here are a handful of trusted nationwide vendors that specialize in green cabinetry. Prices given are just an idea, as costs vary widely depending on materials and layout.

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Neil Kelly Cabinets

An early adopter of ecofriendly building products and practices, Oregon-based Neil Kelly has been making environmentally responsible cabinets since the 1990s. It uses formaldehyde-free wheatboard to construct all of its cases, and wood from FSC-certified forests for many of its door styles, which are available in a wide range of designs, from Asian minimalist to American traditional. Prices start at $8,000.

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SilverWalker

Richmond, California–based SilverWalker offers four distinct lines: Studio, Craftsman, Heritage, and Fusion. All of the cabinets are custom-made with nontoxic materials and either FSC-certified wood or renewable bamboo. The designers create a 3-D mock-up of your kitchen where you can play around with how the different cabinet lines, door styles, finishes, and hardware will look in your space. Prices start at $12,000.

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Valcucine

The Riciclantica line from ultramodernist Italian design firm Valcucine features doors that are completely seamless, with no handles or hardware—the cabinets have a self-closing mechanism. Made from ecoconscious materials like recycled aluminum, with nontoxic finishes, the entire system can be recycled after use. The company supports and helps fund BioForest Technologies, a research firm that specializes in forest surveys and protection. Prices start at $15,000.

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CitiLog

This New Jersey company reclaims wood in urban areas from uprooted trees and old buildings. The results are cabinets made from dense, old-growth wood that have a beautiful patina and are free of nontoxic materials. All cabinets are designed to the customer’s specifications, and the company can even work off of a photograph. Prices start at $10,000.

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AlterEco

AlterEco uses rapidly renewable moso bamboo to build its custom-designed cabinetry. And its other materials and methods exceed the already strict European Union standards for indoor air quality. Prices start at $10,000.

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Neff

The Ontario-based Neff uses marine-grade plywood, a waterproof product that isn’t treated with chemicals, rather than formaldehyde-laden particle board. The cabinets have very low to zero VOC emissions and run the design gamut from traditional to modern. Prices start at $27,000.

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Henrybuilt

With offices in Seattle and New York, Henrybuilt offers clients the option of choosing a cabinet system from the company’s modular lines (one of the few green cabinetry companies to have these). Its products are crafted from rapidly renewable bamboo or FSC-certified woods, and are formaldehyde free. Prices start at $20,000.

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Green countertops are where it gets fun. You can find new products made of discarded soda bottles or wood pulp fused together so densely you’d swear it’s stone, just for starters. These items are all made from recycled and/or renewable goods, with a manufacturing process that has little impact on the environment.

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Squak Mountain Stone

Concrete is expensive and not terribly ecofriendly given the amount of heat and energy needed to produce it. Squak Mountain Stone precast slabs are made of 30 percent traditional cement, while the remaining material is recycled content, including fly ash, paper, and glass. The result looks like soapstone, and comes in five natural colors. If you look closely, you may see letters and words creating subtle visual texture on the smooth surface. Prices start at $47 per square foot.

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Plyboo Butcher Block

Plyboo is the trademarked term for the laminated bamboo plywood of the Smith & Fong Company, a trusted source for bamboo that’s been sustainably harvested. The organic aesthetic of a Plyboo butcher block countertop works well in modern, minimal spaces. $610 per 3-by-8-foot piece.

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Vetrazzo

Vetrazzo is a type of terrazzo made from recycled glass and concrete, much of it scavenged from city dwellers’ recycling bins, old blue Skyy Vodka bottles, and traffic lights, to name a few sources. Vetrazzo is durable (about as strong as granite), scratch-resistant, and able to withstand heat up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Jessica Gelin, a sales manager for Vetrazzo, describes it as “jewelry for the counter.” Prices start at $45 per square foot.

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Richlite

Richlite is a paper-based composite that is stronger than wood, making it a good alternative to stone. “But unlike granite, it’s warm and smooth to the touch,” says Lydia Corser, founder of the green retail shop Eco Interiors, who has it installed in her own home. All of the paper used in Richlite is made from wood pulp derived from FSC-certified forests in North America. $100 per square foot (price includes installation).

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Eleek

Third-generation patternmaker Eric Kaster makes Eleek’s tiles and countertops from 100 percent recycled (and sustainable) aluminum, with at least 50 percent of that coming from postconsumer waste. Finished in a variety of earthy colors, the material doesn’t pick up fingerprints like stainless steel. The best thing about the product is that it’s 100 percent recyclable and reusable. It’s sold in individual tiles or as a continuous piece of metal built to spec. $8 to $50 per tile, or $150 per square foot.

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Fortis Arbor Wood Mosaics

These tiny wood tiles are made from discarded pieces of FSC-certified hardwoods and bamboo left over from furniture manufacturing. They can be used to create mosaics for backsplashes or counters. (Be sure to use a nontoxic, stain-resistant, waterproof grout.) Prices start at $40 per square foot.

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Oceanside Glasstile

Little glass tiles are a popular backsplash material—to go green, look for ones that are made from at least 50 percent recycled material. Oceanside Glasstiles come in every color, shape, texture, and luminosity imaginable and are made from silica sand, an abundant natural resource. Many of the lines also have at least 50 percent recycled content, with many topping out at 86 percent. (They are not, however, made from sea glass, as the name might suggest.) Prices start at $28 per square foot for mosaics and field tile, $10 each for decorative accent tiles.

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The kitchen is responsible for a good amount of your household’s total energy consumption—second only to heating and air conditioning. By upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, you’ll save money on your utility bill while cutting down on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by older models. It’s also one of the easiest areas to green up thanks to Energy Star, a program started in 1992 by the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) that promotes energy efficiency in household products and consumer choices.

The first thing to ask when shopping for an appliance is whether it’s an Energy Star–approved model. If not, keep looking. The Energy Star program rates the efficiency of household appliances. If an appliance meets the program’s criteria, it’s labeled with the blue and white Energy Star logo.

You can calculate an annual estimate of how much money you’ll save by switching over, as well as how much more efficient your new appliance is than one adhering to federal standards, on the website.

It’s important to know that you will probably pay more for an energy-efficient appliance. But Energy Star estimates you’ll save at least $80 per year by switching over. Plus, many states and retailers offer rebates for purchasing Energy Star appliances. Check with your local utility office and/or retailer to see what is offered.

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Keep your fridge full. It takes more energy to cool an empty space.

Refrigerators account for about 15 percent of your energy bill. When looking for a green one, first consider size. A bigger refrigerator generally uses more electricity than a compact one. If you just want a place to stash the occasional box of leftovers, look for a small—think dorm-size—fridge. But if you require more space, try to find a single model rather than relying on two: the new one and the old one in the garage. The best option is a model that has the freezer on top, rather than a side-by-side, because the former’s smaller freezer requires less energy. On that same tip, refrigerators have accumulated many bells and whistles over time (icemaker, water dispenser, etc.)—the more features it has, the more energy it requires, so try to go spare. Also:

» Place your fridge away from heat sources like the oven, direct sunlight, or a dishwasher. If a refrigerator is warmed by external sources, it needs more energy to keep the interior cool.

» Don’t let the cold air out. It’s obvious: If you stand around with the refrigerator door open, warm air gets in.

» Keep your fridge full. It takes more energy to cool an empty space. (A good tip is to store jugs of water in your refrigerator to take up the slack.)

One reason you might want to consider buying a new model: Refrigerators made prior to the late 1990s used really bad ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for the coolant and insulation systems. Newer fridges use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a less harmful type of greenhouse gas. Better yet, go with an energy-efficient model that uses even fewer HFCs in the cooling system. Below are some good bets.

Refrigerator with Top Freezer

Sun Frost RF12, prices start at $2,079

The most energy-efficient model in its class, this Sun Frost exceeds the minimum federal energy standard by 51 percent for top-freezer models. (The closest competitor uses 31 percent less energy.) It’s wisely bare bones: no ice machine or automatic defrost setting. Each unit is built to order and can be customized in a variety of colors, wood finishes, or stainless steel. Available in 12- or 24-volt DC, it can also be used in off-grid homes that have renewable energy systems, like solar panels or hydropower. Approximate energy cost per year: $20.

Refrigerator with Top Freezer

Whirlpool ET1FTEXS, prices start at $859

This is a straightforward refrigerator, the kind you’d find in most rental homes: freezer on top, two crisper drawers on the bottom, and storage space along the door. It’s affordable and energy efficient, with space enough for the average family. Approximate energy cost per year: $40.

Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer

Samsung RF266AAWP, prices start at $1,600

Rated best in its class by Consumer Reports’ GreenerChoices.org site, this model is for those who need more storage space. The fridge-within-a-fridge system allows you to program different internal temperatures for the built-in drawers. Approximate energy cost per year: $53.

Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Amana ASD2627KEW, prices start at $1,349

If you must have a side-by-side model, opt for this one from Amana. It uses the least amount of energy in its class, and was given high marks by Consumer Reports. In terms of features, it pretty much has everything you’ll need, including a tilt-out door that accommodates tall bottles and humidity-controlled crisper drawers. Approximate energy cost per year: $62.

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Using a dishwasher can save 5,000 gallons of water a year.

Some people have the impression that dishwashers are a waste of water. Not true. They actually use less water than washing by hand with a continuous stream, the way most people do. Energy Star estimates that making the switch to one of its approved dishwashers saves 5,000 gallons of water a year (and 230 hours of your time).

Other green dishwasher tips to keep in mind:

» Scrape, don’t rinse, the dishes before loading to save water. Today’s dishwashers and ecofriendly cleaners are designed to get the gunk off. If dishes sit overnight and you do need to rinse, do it with the dishwasher’s rinse cycle, which uses less water than if done by hand.

» Only run the dishwasher when it’s full. Most machines use the same amount of energy and water regardless of the size of the load. If your household is small, buy a compact model to avoid wasting water.

» Go for the ecofriendly options. Most dishwashers, Energy Star or not, have energy- and water-saving options—use them. And try an ecofriendly rinse agent on your dishes, so you don’t have to use the heated drying feature to get your glasses spot free.

Standard Size

Bosch Integra SHX98M09UC,
prices start at $1,549

This model from Bosch is the most energy-efficient dishwasher available in the United States, using 147 percent less energy than federal standards. There is a half-cycle load and a “Quickwash” option for lightly soiled dishes, which will cut back on water usage. Bosch is the only manufacturer that can boast that its entire appliance line is Energy Star–approved.

Standard Size

GE Profile with SmartDispense,
prices start at $949

The biggest draw of this GE dishwasher is its ability to store an entire 45-ounce bottle of liquid detergent and automatically dispense the right amount for each load. (Which also allows you to buy soap in bulk and reuse the container.)

Compact

Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer,
prices start at $600

This single-drawer dishwasher is a great choice for a small household, and its ergonomic design looks good too. Popular in Europe, these types of dishwashers resemble regular drawers, and save a ton of space. A second drawer can be added to the unit if your household grows.

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Unplug appliances when not in use.

Because cooking appliances do not use a lot of energy compared to other appliances, Energy Star doesn’t rate them. But this does not mean it’s prudent to buy a six-burner stove and set up a fry station. New combination ovens and induction cooktops save significant amounts of energy and improve indoor air quality, says Katie Ackerly, a researcher at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and coauthor of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. There are also ways to conserve energy in the kitchen with standard appliances:

» Match the method to the meal. If what you are making fits in a smaller appliance like a toaster oven or an indoor grill, don’t use the oven—smaller units require less energy. Also, unplug appliances when not in use or they will continue to drain energy.

» Match the pan size to the element size. A small pan on a large burner wastes up to 40 percent of the heat produced by that burner.

» Buy sturdy, flat-bottomed cookware. Boiling water in a cheap, warped pan uses 50 percent more energy compared to a flat-bottomed pot that’s heavy and slightly concave. Quality cookware distributes the heat evenly.

» Use high-conductivity materials. Glass and ceramics are the best at conducting heat when cooking with a standard electric or gas stove.

» Keep the stovetop clean and shiny. Anything left on the stovetop or inside the oven will absorb heat. By keeping your appliances clean, you will reflect more heat.

» Reduce cooking time. Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking. Food cooks better when air can circulate: Instead of putting two pans on one rack, stagger them on different racks. And no peeking—opening the oven lets heat and energy out.

» Consider cooking double portions. Reheating uses less energy than cooking multiple meals from scratch.

Induction cooktops are the first stoves that have made any great strides in energy efficiency. (They’re 84 percent energy efficient, while a standard gas or electric range is only 40 percent energy efficient.) So if you really want to go green, you might consider buying one of these new, high-tech products.

Induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to heat your food, by transferring the energy into the cookware you put on top of the stove. Because the energy goes directly into the pan, no heat escapes around it. The units heat things rapidly, and the cooking temperature is easy to control and adjust. Here’s the rub, though: Because induction cooking is based on magnetic fields, it will only work with pots and pans made from magnetic material like iron or steel. An easy way to check if cookware is compatible with an induction cooktop is to see if a refrigerator magnet will stick to it.

Bosch 800 Series 4 Burner Induction Cooktop,
prices start at $1,900

Bosch’s induction cooktops feature an alarm that sounds if a pot boils over and an automatic system that turns off the cooktop if it is left without any action or if the surface reaches more than 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking elements automatically adjust to smaller pot sizes.

Avanti Induction Hotplates,
prices start at $104

Induction cooktops can be pricey, and may not be worth the money if you have a small space or live alone. Avanti’s portable induction hot plates cost about $100 each and provide the same benefits as larger models, plus are easy to transport.

GE Advantium Speedcook Ovens,
prices start at $1,649

It’s five ovens in one: Speedcook, microwave, convection, conventional, and warming. By combining microwaves with halogen light waves, it can cook foods four to eight times faster than a standard oven, with no preheating necessary. You can also opt to microwave only, which is not a bad idea: A microwave uses two-thirds less energy than a conventional oven.

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Replacing kitchen hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to make your existing cabinets feel new, even if they’re not. While the range of good-looking brand-new green hardware is limited, beautiful examples of vintage and antique pulls and knobs are easy to find. A quick search on eBay or a visit to your local flea market should easily turn up results. You can also shop sites like Historic Houseparts that specialize in deadstock hardware. For new hardware, look to Eleek or SpectraDécor.

Eleek

Eleek

This metal hardware line, called Masa, is available in 100 percent recycled cast aluminum or 90 percent recycled bronze. Patina can be added to any of the pieces upon request. Prices start at $21.

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SpectraDécor

The handles of the Luminous line are made using lead-free pewter. The knobs are 100 percent recycled glass and are available in 19 colors such as Tomato Soup and Meadow. Prices start at $36.

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SpectraDécor

The Fusion and Fusion2 lines are available with recycled aluminum and lead-free pewter handles that contain cork inlay. Prices start at $38.

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Look for paints with zero or very low levels of VOCs.

According to the EPA, the concentrations of VOCs and pollutants found indoors are consistently higher than levels found outside (up to 10 times higher!). One of the biggest emitters? Paint. VOCs are the fumes you smell while painting, and they sometimes last for weeks. They usually come from color additives and spreading agents.

“Most people can attest to that all-too-familiar chemical smell that fills the house when a paint can is opened,” says Michael McCutcheon, a certified green builder who founded McCutcheon Construction. “What they don’t know is that these chemicals continue to be released in their home long after the paint has dried, and make their way outside into the environment.”

Breathing in these chemicals is not good. In the short term, exposure may cause dizziness, headache, and nausea. In the long term, the National Cancer Institute reports that individuals who routinely work with paint are at a significant risk of developing cancer. True, you’re probably not a pro painter, but it’s important to note how bad these chemicals are for the body.

To minimize health risks, use environmentally friendly paints. Today’s options are on a par with standard ones, both in quality and color. Many green paint companies will mix custom colors to match shades from other companies.

When shopping, look for the following on the label:

» Zero or very low levels of VOCs—not to exceed 50 grams per liter (GPL).

» Natural ingredients like plant dyes, clay, oil, and waxes.

What follows is a list of green paint companies.

American Pride,
Approximately $30 per gallon

Developed by polymer science researchers, and approved by the Master Painters Institute and Green Seal, two independent organizations that advocate products that meet their strict quality and environmental standards. Zero VOCs.

Anna Sova,
Approximately $60 per gallon

Luxury paint made from food-grade ingredients—you can even eat it. If aromatherapy is your thing, ask about the custom fragrance option. Zero VOCs.

Green Planet,
Approximately $42 per gallon

Handmade in small batches with colors derived from clay and minerals. Soft finishes that you’ll want to touch. Zero VOCs.

Harmony,
Approximately $37 per gallon

Paint giant Sherwin-Williams joins the green game with Harmony. Pick from the company’s existing color library, which numbers in the thousands. Zero VOCs.

Mythic,
Approximately $45 per gallon

The packaging is fun and vintage-inspired, and the paint is durable, easy to clean, and has little to no odor. Zero VOCs.

Safecoat,
Approximately $45 per gallon

Making healthy paint since the 1980s, Safecoat continues to work with physicians and allergists to update its product. Recipient of numerous awards and certification for high indoor air quality. Zero VOCs.

SafePaint,
Approximately $46 per gallon

Organic, biodegradable paint made from milk, sold in powdered form. Just add water to make the soft, matte colors. Zero VOCs.

Yolo Colorhouse,
Approximately $40 per gallon

Small palette of 40 rich, earthy colors like Air and Grain that add a natural-feeling warmth to a room. Zero VOCs.

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You probably think of fluorescent bulbs and envision a dreary office cubicle with cold, dead tube lighting. But today’s compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and cast a soft, warm glow while being incredibly energy efficient. If every American home replaced its five most frequently used light bulbs with Energy Star–qualified bulbs, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to those emitted by 10 million cars.

One Energy Star–qualified CFL uses about 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, but lasts 10 times longer. To decide which bulbs to buy for your fixtures, use this Energy Star lighting chart.

CFLs are not dimmable, unless they’re in an Energy Star–qualified light fixture. Look for those at Metro Lighting or Eleek.

For task lighting, consider light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. Based on computer technology, LED bulbs last 50,000 to 60,000 hours—just connect them to an electricity source like a battery or outlet—and they’re more energy efficient than even CFLs. However, because LED lighting is flat and directional, it’s not recommended for general use.

LED lighting

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Building the Ultimate Green Kitchen

CHOW's ecoconscious remodel guide