Any colour but make it green

Make your renovations more sustainable by choosing products

SUSTAINABILITY AND PROTECTING the environment are top of mind in most things we do these days. When it comes to renovating your home there are things you can consider and choices you can make that will help reduce the footprint of your project so you can get the high-end result you want without sacrificing Mother Nature.

Plan and prep

One of the key ways to keep your renovation project more sustainable is to reduce your overall waste — carefully plan and prepare your project before you start.

When it comes to ordering materials like paint or wallpaper, your Resene ColorShop staff will be able to help you work out how much you need, or try the paint calculator online at www.resene.com/paintcalculator.

Include a waste disposal plan in your preparations. Look around your local area to see if there are companies specialising in the removal of construction waste for recycling or re-use. You may even be able to sell some things to salvage and demolition yards. Leftover paints and empty paint cans can be recycled through the Resene PaintWise service.

See if you can connect with other DIYers in your local area, or make use of platforms like Facebook marketplace or your community social pages. You may find willing recipients who will re-use or upcycle items like wood, pavers or bricks you would otherwise have to dispose of. You might even be able to trade for items you need.

Deconstruct and upcycle

If your renovation requires the removal of walls, windows or built-in furniture, consider how you will remove it, as part of your project planning.

Think about how you might be able to reuse, upcycle, donate or even sell the materials you’re removing and take some care in how they are removed.

Keeping it green

Making sure your paint projects are as sustainable as possible, it’s a good idea to check on the credentials of your paint.

A good bet is to start with products that have the Environmental Choice eco-label on the packaging. This label, available on a wide range of household and office products, helps you know that what you’re buying is a reliably environmentally friendly product that has been independently verified.

Resene has been a part of the Environment Choice programme since 1996.

Top tip: If you want help with your sustainable renovation, you could try an eco-decorator. The Resene Eco.Decorator network helps you find professional painting contractors committed to sustainable principles and practices.

Did you know . . . Resene Earthsense Ceiling Paint is made from renewable raw materials and sold in pails made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.

■ For advice on your next project, visit your local Resene ColorShop or ask a Resene Paint Expert free online, www. resene.com/paintexpert.

Leftover Resene wallpaper can be framed as art. Or, to avoid waste, some wallpapers can be purchased in short drops rather than whole rolls. Or if you buy a roll, plan a few different projects in the same design to use up the whole roll.