General
Recycling and Reclamation Programs
Miscellaneous Home Products
Green Housekeeping
- Rochester Midland Corporation – green housekeeping information
- Green Cleaning Products - Ecover, Method, Green Sanitary Supplier
- Sinless Buying - no paper or plastic food service and janitorial supplies
- Keyboard Cleaner - Refillable Duster
- Baking Soda - If you are looking to save some green, make your own -- some of the most effective ingredients are probably already in your kitchen: You probably already know baking soda is a nontoxic tooth whitener -- put a little in your hand, dip your moistened toothbrush in to make a paste, and brush. (The taste takes a bit of getting used to.) Baking soda also makes the best carpet deodorizer -- sprinkle on carpet, leave on a couple of hours, vacuum. You can sprinkle it in garbage pails to absorb odor. It makes a terrific bathtub scrub that won't scratch: sprinkle in the tub, scrub a little with a paper towel or rag, turn on the shower, and wash away. No toxic smell and environmentally super-friendly, so no guilt from the frogs and fishies! Finally, use it for a very, very soothing bath -- about 1/4 to 1/2 cup for a tired mom -- and it's safe for baby, too (you'll use much less, of course, since baby's bath is so much smaller).
- Vinegar -is the ultimate all-purpose cleaner; it's incredibly green and super inexpensive. You'll want to dilute it with water, or you can cause weird streaks or staining (and be sure not to use it on marble). Four parts water to one part vinegar is good for most uses. Put in a spray bottle if you have one (or get a plant mister from a florist store) and spritz and wipe as you would a conventional cleaner. It's the best glass cleaner in the world! Also works to wipe through stovetop grease, appliances, and non-marble countertops. OK,lemons may be a little pricey, but they smell great. A half cup of olive oil and a quarter cup of lemon juice make a fabulous polish for wood furniture. Some lemon peel ground into the garbage disposal takes away even the nastiest odors. And a bleach alternative in a load of white laundry (and only whites): a half cup lemon juice with the same amount of baking soda.
Furniture
- Recycled Aluminum Chair
- Celle Chair - recycled and recyclable
- James Murphy Design - created from salvaged wood
- Office Supplies, Technology, and Furniture - Give Something Back
- Beyond Waste Tables made from salvaged used building materials
- Design Model Beds
- El Furniture - reclaim or certified wood
- Montauk - materials from sustainable sources
- Baby/Kids Furniture - Celery Furniture, Lilipad Studio, Nest
- 2Modern
- African Creations, Ananse Village
- Nativa
- Chairs - IKEA (no PVC, sustainable wood), Design Within Reach, Steelcase (low-VOC), Twenty Gauge
- Alan Vogel Furniture - has studios in MT and WA state; specializes in rustic benches and tables.
- Mi-Workshop - CA designer with a playful, simple aesthetic.
- Moe Design Studio - NY designer who creates modern-ish pieces using reclaimed lumber.
- Staples Cabinet Makers - New England craftspeople who specialize in reclaimed-wood pieces.
- Sustainable Furniture Council - if you aren't in any of the above locales, check out this listing of eco-conscious furniture makers.
Energy
Resources
- Niagara Water and Energy Conservation
- Energy Guide - find ways to lower your bills and help the earth's environment
- Caddet - information on commercial energy-saving and renewable energy technologies
- DOE-2’s Building Energy Use and Cost Analysis Software
- Sustainable Buildings Industry Council’s Energy Simulation Tool
- For Computers, 1E - Centralized IT power management software
Lighting
Appliances
- Get Energy Star Appliances in order of energy use: washer --> dishwasher --> fridge --> freezer --> dryer
- How to Turn a Chest Freezer into a highly efficient Chest Fridge
- Drawer Fridge
Measurement & Payment Accountability
Renewable Energy
Water Use
Construction
Recycling and Reclamation Programs
Wood/Composite Surfaces
Certified Wood
Flooring
Envelope
HVAC and Air Monitoring