Flooring
Cork, bamboo, recycled and reclaimed fir, reclaimed Hard Rock Maple gym flooring and hardwoods are all examples of sustainable flooring products harvested from deconstruction or renewable resources. These products are available to installers from local sources. Some companies specialize in salvaged wood floors.

Carpeting can be manufactured from a variety of sustainable materials, such as wool, cotton, sisal (agave), sea grass, and jute (burlap.) Recycled-content padding made from wool is also available, as are non-toxic adhesives. Several manufacturers produce either entirely Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)-free carpet and/or PVC-free backing.

Linoleum (Marmoleum) has been a mainstay floor covering for over 100 years because it is one of the few products made from primarily natural raw materials. It is made up of linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour, calendared onto natural jute backing (backing for tiles is polyester). Linoleum is available in 12’ wide sheets and 12”x12” tiles.
www.mcgeesalvage.com
www.endurawood.com
www.ecohaus.com (flooring and carpet)

Clay Plasters
Natural clay plaster controls climate by regulating arid and humid air. This interior finish is a 100% natural earth plaster — a unique combination of clays, aggregates, and natural pigments used to create the colors and textures. Low inherent energy used during the manufacturing process produces less waste than many other options.

Clay absorbs and releases moisture in response to environmental changes; it is warm to the touch in winter and cool in summer, and it can be used over existing or new surfaces.
www.americanclay.com

Sustainable Surface Products
Dakota Burl® FUSION board is made from over 80% urea- and formaldehyde-free agricultural by-products (sunflower seed hulls) and infused with a proprietary acrylic resin for hardness and a natural, organic look. Its warm, opalescent colors have a rich texture with a look of granite. This eco-friendly board comes unfinished. Fabrication is done with standard woodworking tools, and carbide blades are recommended for easy cutting and routing. Use 220-grit sandpaper seal and finish with standard wood finishes or oils.

This sustainable solid surface board is the perfect choice for partitions, wall paneling, countertops, bar tops, vanities, retail displays, wainscoting, tiles, and furniture. Since it has the acrylic infusion, the boards have a high moisture resistance and can be used in a moist environment (when sealed and finished.)

Palouse™ board is produced of over 70% urea- and formaldehyde-free wheat straw, an agricultural byproduct that is rapidly renewable. The wheat fibers are infused with a proprietary acrylic resin for durability and color throughout. It has a truly unique, organic, warm appearance and is smooth to the touch. This product is a beautiful, sustainable surface choice for most interior applications.
This material also cuts, sands, and routes with standard woodworking tools. Traditional wood staining and finishing techniques can be used to color wheat board.
www.canopylifestyle.com

Glass Tile
Recycled glass tile (as a rule 87 to 100% recycled material, depending on color) can be used as a kitchen and bathroom wall covering, for back-splashes, floor covering, and countertops. Glass for this product generally comes from post-industrial door and window scrap glass, and is produced in kilns using an emission-free process.
www.stardustglasstile.com

Countertops
Ceramic tile is one of the most sustainable and competitively priced countertop options available. Vast color choice, ease of installation, heat resistance, and spot repair are all benefits of choosing tile.

Solid wood countertops can be made from a number of species (Bamboo, Hard Rock Maple, Cherry, White Oak, Brazilian Cherry, and End Grain Bamboo, just to name a few.) Butcher block countertops can be finished with natural, non-toxic oil or hard wax finishes and can also be resurfaced. End grain butcher block will generally show less wear than a vertical grain and is also less prone to scratching.

Paperstone and Richlite are composite countertops made of paper that has been impregnated with resin and compressed into a uniform, solid surface. Both are sustainable options, though Paperstone boasts a post-consumer recycled content, whereas Richlite uses custom paper originating in sustainably managed forests. Paper-based composite surfaces are harder than wood but do not need to be worked with masonry tools. The surface can be completely restored to a “new” look by reburnishing with sandpaper and sealing.

Fuez is an environmentally friendly product that uses up to 80% recycled materials, including coal fly ash, cement, and curbside recycled glass. You can choose from 28 standard options to customize the look of your countertop. Fuez offers flexible slab and aggregate sizes, as well as many custom shapes, colors, and sizes.

Aluminum countertops are lighter than stone, heat resistant (up to 300F), and are always at room temperature. Eleek’s countertops are custom-designed specifically for your kitchen, so no fabrication or cutting needs be done on site; each piece arrives precut, with finished edges. Aluminum pieces come up to 3’ wide, and sections are grouted with a clear silicone. Backsplash, front wrap, and side wrap features can be built in.

Squak Mountain Stone is a recycled countertop option that incorporates recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly ash, and Portland cement. The material is hand cast into slabs and workable with masonry tools. Squak is lighter than concrete and resembles soapstone or limestone in appearance.

Trinity, a new line being introduced by Squak, also handmade and hand finished, is 25% low carbon cement and has a higher recycled glass content than original Squak: 75% (evident in the surface sparkle!). Trinity is just as easy to maintain as Squak, and is available in eight colors.
www.endurawood.com
www.ecohaus.com
www.eleek.com
www.fuez.com
www.tmi-online.com (Squak Mountain Stone)

Plumbing Fixtures
A number of environmentally friendly toilet options are available. These include low-flush, dual-flush, and waterless toilets. These toilets are designed to save water and reduce sewage. Low-flow fixtures, such as showerheads and faucets, can further reduce water consumption. Overall, installation of “green” plumbing fixtures can reduce water consumption by an estimated 20% to 30%. Dual-flush toilets can save up to 80% of a home’s previous annual water usage.
www.aboysupply.com
www.ecohaus.com

Tankless Water Heater
These compact systems provide hot water on demand and eliminate standing unused hot water. Think of your hot water faucets as the “on” and “off” switch for your water heater. When you open a valve, water begins to flow through these units, sensing how much water needs to be heated, and then delivering a measured amount of gas to a small stainless steel set of burners, fired by an electric ignition (no pilot light) in an all-copper heat exchanger. Shut off the faucet and it shuts down the system, saving gas, electricity, and water. Energy Trust of Oregon offers a $200 rebate and there’s an Oregon State tax credit of $340 for qualified tankless systems.
www.aboysupply.com