Environmentally friendly design is within your reach. Check out these suggestions:

• SAVE Choose ENERGY STAR products, from light bulbs and kitchen appliances to ceiling fans and dehumidifiers, to help you save energy and help the environment. An added benefit – you could save up to 30% on utility bills.
• REUSE Salvage items large and small that are in good shape and simply could use a face-lift. If you need to get rid of old sinks or appliances, give them to charity or sell them in a yard sale (instead of hauling them to the landfill).
• CONSERVE To conserve water, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime, which save up to 8 gallons of water per day. It’s also important to promptly fix any drips or leaks; a leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. To conserve energy, establish the habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room.
• RECYCLE Keep a recycling bin in or near your kitchen so that you can easily designate items for recycling.
• COMPOST Suitable kitchen scraps, such as coffee grounds and apple cores, can be made into compost. Composting can reduce household waste and supply organic material for your garden.
• SELECT For your household cleaning, look for naturally derived cleaning supplies, or opt for age-old solutions, such as baking soda and vinegar.
• RENEW Seek out items made from rapidly renewable, sustainably harvested, or recycled materials. Options for flooring include cork and bamboo, as well as recycled or recyclable carpet or linoleum made from natural linseed oil.
• IMAGINE Think about accessible design as a part of green design. You’ll help ensure the longevity of your home and conserve resources that would be spent on changes down the road.

Lowe’s Creative Ideas
September/October 2007