Build a better living room
Six surprisingly easy ways to make your home more eco-friendly
Smell better Skip the scented candles. “Most commercially produced candles contain substances that, when burned, emit small amounts of toxins, such as acetone, benzene, lead and mercury, polluting the air in your home,” says Lindsay Coulter of the David Suzuki Foundation. Instead, opt for beeswax or soy wax candles.
Ditch e-waste It’s time to deal with your old DVD player or those extra remotes that are just lying around. “A lot of e-waste is sent to landfills when it needs to be properly disposed of,” Coulter says. Use Earth 911 or Recycle My Cell to find an e-waste dropoff location close to home.
Add texture “Heat can be lost through floors, especially if you have wood flooring with gaps,” Coulter says. Add a layer of warmth with a new rug, but look for options made of natural fibres (like jute, seagrass, sisal, organic wool and cotton) that won’t off-gas harmful VOCs.
Save energy “Canada is one of the top energy consumers in the world,” Coulter says. “By becoming more energy efficient, you’ll pollute less and save money.” One easy fix? Hanging heavy curtains to prevent drafts. And unplug computers and appliances, all of which suck energy from outlets even when they’re shut off.
Go antiquing Antiquing is in, and it’s a good thing. Buying vintage helps avoid the environmental costs of manufacturing and shipping. If you must buy new, look for furnishings made of certified sustainable wood or reclaimed materials, or with a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) designation, which means they can be taken apart and recycled.
Flip on a fan Central air conditioners use far more electricity than ceiling fans. Just make sure your fan is rotating counter-clockwise— it helps air circulate downward, which will keep things cooler. If your fan comes with a light fixture, use an LED bulb—just one saves 400 pounds of greenhouse gases.
...do make a difference!