Eco-Resolutions
by Jillian Pritchard Cooke
Begin the New Year in style by committing to these eco-resolutions. Here are simple tasks that when completed each month will make your home healthy, responsible and most of all beautiful!
January- Start the year off right by building a recycling center within your home. Make separate areas for paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. Research the recycling efforts within your area. If there is not a public recycling effort, ban together with your neighbors to cut the cost of recycling!
Begin by recycling your holiday tree. According to the National Christmas Tree Association 33 million trees are sold in North America each year and by recycling your tree, you’ll be returning this resource back to the environment. Visit www.earth911.org to find out about local programs that will turn your tree into wood chips for mulch or a fish shelter in a pond. Because natural structures may have decayed or been cleared for boats, your old tree will make the perfect shelter to attract fish to keep them out of harms way and the natural ecosystem thriving.
February- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 3-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Rid your home of toxins and revamp your décor by choosing at least one room to repaint with Low VOC (volatile organic compound) Paint, which will not release harmful toxins into the air as conventional paint does. Try:
April- Visit local antique markets and find vintage fabrics and table clothes to make draperies for your newly painted room. Giving a creative new life into an old item will keep it out of an already crowded landfill.
Clean your air conditioning vents to ensure they are being used to their proper specifications and your air is as clean as it can be.
May- Switch your wool and silk rugs to sisal and cotton rugs more appropriate for the summer months. Add to your new summer décor by slip covering existing furniture with 100% cotton and linens. Slipcovers are easy to clean, ensuring the life of your furniture. Compliment your new slipcovers by switching out your heavy pillows with light 100% natural pillows. Complete your summer makeover by adding summer scented, organic candles.
June- Buy an eco-friendly piece of furniture to complete your design statement. Make sure the wood is forest certified and finished with a formaldehyde free stain. The filling and fabric should be made of 100% natural fibers. Many furniture companies have introduced lines that fall in line with these specifications. Just make sure you ask for these eco-friendly products!
July- Expand your exterior square footage and experience the outdoors by draping cheese cloth on the back and front porch to create shade and an intimate space.
August- Begin transforming your house back to an autumn color palate and décor. Remove summer slipcovers and if necessary, reupholster furniture in vintage tapestries with colors that compliment the season, like bright oranges, deep yellows and vibrant reds. Not only will you be keeping landfills free of unnecessary items, but also you will have a unique focal point for your room.
September- Bring back the wool rugs to help insulate your rooms and create a sense of warmth in the cool autumn months. Introduce natural fiber pillows made from 100% natural fabrics that keep with the same color scheme and represent nature.
October- Open the windows to circulate fresh air and reduce the usage of the air conditioning unit. Clean your air conditioning vents, ridding your home of all dust and bacteria that may cause harmful side effects to you and your family. Begin burning organic candles that reinforce the season with scents of cinnamon, apple or even pumpkin.
November- Bring your family together and plant winter bulbs like tulips, narcissi, or amaryllis. Arrange throughout the house to create fresh fragrances and improve indoor air quality.
December- When building a fire for ambiance within your home, use only forest certified logs. Certified forests are well-managed systems and require regular maintenance to remain sustainable and extracting firewood is one way to achieve this.
Instead of buying a traditional holiday tree, consider buying a tree that can be planted in your garden after the holiday season like a boxwood.
When sending holiday gifts, remind recipients to recycle the packing materials by dropping them off at a local UPS store so they can be reused.
by Jillian Pritchard Cooke
Begin the New Year in style by committing to these eco-resolutions. Here are simple tasks that when completed each month will make your home healthy, responsible and most of all beautiful!
January- Start the year off right by building a recycling center within your home. Make separate areas for paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. Research the recycling efforts within your area. If there is not a public recycling effort, ban together with your neighbors to cut the cost of recycling!
Begin by recycling your holiday tree. According to the National Christmas Tree Association 33 million trees are sold in North America each year and by recycling your tree, you’ll be returning this resource back to the environment. Visit www.earth911.org to find out about local programs that will turn your tree into wood chips for mulch or a fish shelter in a pond. Because natural structures may have decayed or been cleared for boats, your old tree will make the perfect shelter to attract fish to keep them out of harms way and the natural ecosystem thriving.
February- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 3-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Rid your home of toxins and revamp your décor by choosing at least one room to repaint with Low VOC (volatile organic compound) Paint, which will not release harmful toxins into the air as conventional paint does. Try:
- Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec
The first four lightest colors on each page of the Benjamin Moore paint fan are available in their Low VOC Eco Spec paint brand. Because these colors do not carry as much pigment as the darker colors, they are usually cheaper than the common, non-eco paints. www.benjaminmoore.com - Anna Sova
Made from 99% food grade ingredients, Anna Sova’s paints are available in hundreds of colors. While these paints carry no odor, the option to mix in a variety of aromatherapy fragrances is available and last up to a year, if not longer. www.annasova.com - AFM Safecoat
For over 20 years, AFM Safecoat has offered a variety of non-toxic paints and stains. AFM Safecoat is able to color match their paints to most of the popular paint company fans. www.afmsafecoat.com
April- Visit local antique markets and find vintage fabrics and table clothes to make draperies for your newly painted room. Giving a creative new life into an old item will keep it out of an already crowded landfill.
Clean your air conditioning vents to ensure they are being used to their proper specifications and your air is as clean as it can be.
May- Switch your wool and silk rugs to sisal and cotton rugs more appropriate for the summer months. Add to your new summer décor by slip covering existing furniture with 100% cotton and linens. Slipcovers are easy to clean, ensuring the life of your furniture. Compliment your new slipcovers by switching out your heavy pillows with light 100% natural pillows. Complete your summer makeover by adding summer scented, organic candles.
June- Buy an eco-friendly piece of furniture to complete your design statement. Make sure the wood is forest certified and finished with a formaldehyde free stain. The filling and fabric should be made of 100% natural fibers. Many furniture companies have introduced lines that fall in line with these specifications. Just make sure you ask for these eco-friendly products!
July- Expand your exterior square footage and experience the outdoors by draping cheese cloth on the back and front porch to create shade and an intimate space.
August- Begin transforming your house back to an autumn color palate and décor. Remove summer slipcovers and if necessary, reupholster furniture in vintage tapestries with colors that compliment the season, like bright oranges, deep yellows and vibrant reds. Not only will you be keeping landfills free of unnecessary items, but also you will have a unique focal point for your room.
September- Bring back the wool rugs to help insulate your rooms and create a sense of warmth in the cool autumn months. Introduce natural fiber pillows made from 100% natural fabrics that keep with the same color scheme and represent nature.
October- Open the windows to circulate fresh air and reduce the usage of the air conditioning unit. Clean your air conditioning vents, ridding your home of all dust and bacteria that may cause harmful side effects to you and your family. Begin burning organic candles that reinforce the season with scents of cinnamon, apple or even pumpkin.
November- Bring your family together and plant winter bulbs like tulips, narcissi, or amaryllis. Arrange throughout the house to create fresh fragrances and improve indoor air quality.
December- When building a fire for ambiance within your home, use only forest certified logs. Certified forests are well-managed systems and require regular maintenance to remain sustainable and extracting firewood is one way to achieve this.
Instead of buying a traditional holiday tree, consider buying a tree that can be planted in your garden after the holiday season like a boxwood.
When sending holiday gifts, remind recipients to recycle the packing materials by dropping them off at a local UPS store so they can be reused.
