You want to renovate your house without dumping truckloads of waste in a landfill?
Home renovations produce an astonishing volume of waste each year. And the vast majority of it ends up… somewhere underground.
But did you know…
Renovating your home doesn’t have to hurt the environment. A zero-waste renovation is possible with the right mentality, reclaimed materials, and room-by-room game plan.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Zero-Waste Home Renovation Matters
- Start With Sustainable Reclaimed Wood Flooring
- Kitchen: Biggest Waste Culprit of Them All
- Bathroom: Small Room, BIG Waste Solutions
- Living Rooms & Bedrooms: The Details Make the Difference
Why Zero-Waste Home Renovation Matters
Let’s start with the facts.
The EPA estimates that America generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste in 2018 alone. That’s more than twice as much as standard household trash!
And you guessed it… where does most of that waste go?
Landfill.
But here’s the kicker…
Large amounts of renovation debris could’ve been avoided entirely. Old flooring, cabinets, bathroom suites, tiles and more can be salvaged from a renovation site and either reused or recycled instead of being tossed into a dumpster.
Zero-waste renovations turn that idea on its head. Instead of demolishing everything in sight and buying everything new, think:
- What existing materials can be salvaged and reused?
- Where can I find reclaimed wood flooring and recycled products?
- Can I donate unused items to keep them out of landfill?
- How can I plan this room carefully to create zero waste?
Choosing the path of least waste not only benefits the environment – it also saves you money. And it ensures that every room in your home has character and style that new materials can’t match.
Start With Sustainable Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Few things are pulled up and thrown away faster during a renovation than flooring.
But there’s an easy fix…
Opting for reclaimed wood flooring is one of the best ways to start any zero-waste renovation project. Whether you’re renovating period property or updating your modern home, high-quality reclaimed floorboards allow old timber to breathe new life and stop it from entering the landfill cycle.
And it’s not just waste that’s saved when you choose reclaimed wood flooring.
Research conducted by the U.S. Forest Service found that energy used in producing virgin wood flooring was approximately 13 times greater than that required to produce reclaimed wood flooring. Global warming potential was also significantly higher when using new wood products.
13 times. Seriously.
Another huge advantage of reclaimed wood is its density and durability. Old wood used for reclaimed floorboards comes from old-growth trees that have been around for centuries.
That means:
- Tighter grain that’s less likely to shrink or swell
- Increased stability over newly sourced timber
- More character and natural imperfections
Kicking your renovation off with reclaimed wood flooring will set you up for success in the rooms to come.
Kitchen: Biggest Waste Culprit of Them All
If there’s one room that homeowners love to renovate, it’s the kitchen. If there’s one room that creates the most waste during a renovation, it’s also the kitchen.
Here’s the thing…
Cabinets, countertops, appliances, tiles – they all come out when renovating a kitchen. And while it’s tempting to chuck everything and start fresh, lots of this material can be reused, donated or recycled.
Cabinets are always the easiest place to start. Don’t just toss your old cabinets and buy new – consider:
- Giving existing cabinets a fresh coat of paint
- Refacing cabinets to completely change their look
- Searching for reclaimed/salvaged kitchen cabinets
- Choosing FSC certified wood, recycled materials, or sustainable alternatives
countertops, look into recycled glass options, reclaimed stone, or repurposed composite surfaces made from recycled materials.
And hey – don’t stress about smaller items. Donate old appliances that are still in working condition. Can old tiles be recycled? See if there’s a facility near you that accepts them. If you’re replacing a kitchen sink, do your best to donate the old one too!
Bathroom: Small Room, BIG Waste Solutions
Your bathroom may be smaller than your kitchen, but you’d be surprised at how much waste can build up during a bathroom renovation.
Old tiles, bathroom suites, fixtures and pipework can quickly add up.
But there’s an easy fix…
Start by looking at what you can reuse. If your bathtub or toilet is still in good condition, look into reglazing or refinishing it rather than buying new. You’ll save hundreds on a new bathtub by hiring a professional to spray on a new enamel.
Tile you can look for reclaimed/recycled tile suppliers. A lot of salvage companies have started offering tiles, and they can add major character to your bathroom.
Two other huge wins for bathroom renovations?
- Installing low-flow fixtures to reduce water waste
- Painting with VOC-free paint
Living Rooms & Bedrooms: The Details Make the Difference
When it comes to sustainable renovations, living rooms and bedrooms often go overlooked. But there are easy wins for living areas and bedrooms that will make your zero-waste renovation project that much better.
First up, walls. Where possible, avoid ripping out existing walls and starting from scratch. Not only does this create waste, but it’s extra work!
Look into using lime plaster, clay-based plaster, or other sustainable alternatives. Next, finish your walls with low-VOC, or even better, zero-VOC paint. Brands like Benjamin Moore and Raleigh now offer lines of eco-friendly paint in every colour.
Flooring is another place where reclaimed wood can shine. Nothing brings character and life to a living room or bedroom like sustainable reclaimed wood flooring.
Some other quick living room and bedroom wins:
- Use reclaimed doors/windows whenever possible
- Shop secondhand for unique light fixtures
- Switch to natural fibre carpets like wool, sisal, or jute
- Try and find upcycled furniture or get pieces made locally
Remember – perfection isn’t the goal here. Every little bit counts.
Bringing It All Together
Zero waste home renovations don’t have to be stressful or overwhelming.
As a quick recap on everything we talked about:
- Floors – start with sustainable reclaimed wood flooring
- Kitchen – salvage materials, donate unused items
- Bathroom – everything old can be new again
- Living rooms/bedrooms – paint walls, use reclaimed details
The construction industry alone produces hundreds of millions of tons of waste every year. By taking a zero-waste approach to your next renovation, you can help reduce that number and build a home you’re proud to tell the story of.
It won’t cost you extra. It might not even take you any longer. But it will change the way you look at home renovations for good.
And that’s something the planet will be thankful for.