Eco Bathrooms – Part 2 – Sanitary ware
The next article in this Eco Bathroom series looks at sanitary ware. Sinks, baths and WCs will outlive the lifespan of your home if looked after, so make a wise choice in terms of design and style. Go for classic styles in white for maximum suitability over the years and trends.
Second hand / factory seconds / discontinued
Contact local salvage, reclamation yards and local second hand facilities to make good use of items like baths and basins. Alternatively opt for factory seconds or discontinued ranges of sanitary ware. Again these all help reduce the demand for newly manufactured products, the energy used and waste that production creates. Â
Avoid synthetics
Plastic products are lighter in weight and hygienic which makes it a popular material. Made from petroleum substances, as we all know this is a finite resource. The chemical manufacturing process is highly toxic, uses a large amount of energy, creates a lot of waste and the finished products cannot be recycled easily. During manufacturer, installation and consumer use, these products release toxic emissions known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air in your bathroom. These pollutants lower the air quality in your home and are associated with health problems. Synthetics are also difficult to repair and ultimately are thrown into landfill sites where they do not decompose. A poor environmental choice.Â
Repairs
Not all types of repairs and refinishing methods are environmentally or human friendly. Significant chips may require chemical treatments, acid etches and sandblasting which lower indoor air quality levels and can be hazardous to health. It is always best to check with the subcontractor for the least toxic methods. Â
Related posts:
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 8
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 4 – Sinks/ Basins
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 6 – Baths
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 5 – Taps
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 3 – The WC
- Eco Bathrooms – Part 7 – Showers
