How to…make your renovation more sustainable
What comes to mind when you think home renovation? Challenging, messy, tiring, rewarding? Renovations can also produce a huge amount of waste that goes directly to landfill. Here are eight home renovation ideas to reduce the impact of your next home renovation.
2. Refresh your current furniture
Reuse what you already have rather than replacing with brand new furniture. Your current furniture may not fit the desired design you’re seeking to achieve through the renovation but think about how you can breath life into these pieces before throwing away. Armchairs and sofas can be reupholstered with new fabric. Use Google, local directories or local friends and family to find upholstery and restoration services.
6. Insulate, insulate, insulate!
The UK government has recently introduced the Green Homes Grant which lets you apply for up to £5000 in vouchers to make energy efficient improvements to your home. This can be incredibly useful in reducing your renovation budget and protect your home against freezing winter temperatures. The voucher covers two thirds of eligible improvements such as under floor insulation, low carbon heating measures and some window and door replacements.
Improving your insulation can also save you lots of £££ on gas and electricity bills!
7. Tool share
The average drill is used for just 13 minutes in its lifetime. Many power and hand tools are used infrequently but most of us own them. Not only do they represent a high material intensity, they take up precious space in our homes.
Peer to peer models for tool sharing are popping up across the UK and elsewhere. Some of these tool share initiatives have the added benefit of sharing design and knowledge with the local community. If you are planning to undertake a chunk of the renovation work yourself, borrowing these tools can be a better solution.
8. Buy local
This may seem obvious but try to buy from local craftsmen and makers. Homewares from many large chains can travel thousands of miles before arriving at your door so buying local can reduce your overall carbon footprint. Other benefits from buying local:
It is also much easier to find out whether the product is manufactured ethically and responsibly.
Local makers often produce bespoke products or small batches, giving your home a personalised touch that you don’t find from big name brands.
Did you know that research has found that 63p out of every £1 is returned into the local economy when you shop at a local business, as opposed to 40p in every £1 at a larger one?