Remodeling to Maximize Nature's Resources
All building and remodeling products should be designed with materials that are created and installed without creating excessive waste or causing damage to the environment. However, many common building and remodeling materials used in the industry are not environmentally safe. Drywall, for example, can have up to 17% of its material wasted during construction. On top of that, as much as 25% of the weight from building and construction debris consists of drywall materials. And when non-synthetic gypsum is mined, it's often taken from shallow open-pit mines [PDF] that can damage the environment significantly. Unfortunately, drywall is among the most common basement wall products in the industry.
Other basement wall materials such as fiberglass have been reported by the Environmental Protection Agency to generate significant air pollution, spent solvents, and hazardous wastes when processed. [PDF]
Adhesives that are often used in fiberglass wall products are known to contribute to smog and other air pollution. Additionally, the resins used when fiberglass is created are classified as a volatile organic compound, with the process that creates them producing significant amounts of hazardous materials.
Recyclable & Recycled Materials in Your Basement
When picking a green basement finishing product, it's important to bear in mind that the materials you use will eventually need to be disposed of. If you finish the basement with drywall, there's a very good chance that it will not be recycled. Construction & Demolition Recycling states that while gypsum drywall is a major component of the modern building, when it comes to construction, demolition, and renovation, it's among the least likely building components to be recycled. Additionally, drywall is not cost-effective to recycle, which discourages businesses from undertaking a large-scale recycling project.
Additionally, specialized materials such as fiberglass insulation, according to Denver AIA committee on the environment, are not readily recyclable, nor are they in high enough demand to be cost-effective when produced widely. Wood can be ground up to make particle board, mulch or fertilizer, and while basement remodeling materials using metals are easily recyclable, they are often inappropriate for a basement space.
Environmentally Sound Basement Renovation
Total Basement Finishing has the products you need to keep your basement beautiful, healthy, and comfortable for decades to come. Their basement finishing products have been created with green design techniques and a long life in mind. Once your basement has been remodeled with Total Basement Finishing, you'll begin to enjoy the beauty and comfort that only a green basement finishing can bring. Call or contact us today for a free written estimate on your basement renovation project!
