Think how much time you spend inside: sleeping, working, watching TV, eating… Some of us spend as little as 1 hour per day outside.  Why all the fuss?

Everyone knows about the dangers of outdoor air pollution from car exhaust fumes to emissions from factories.  But did you know that your home environment is actually worse? Sometimes by up to 5 times the levels found outside. (more…)

The festive season is the worst time of year for paper waste. From wrapping paper to gift packaging and Christmas cards.  All is not lost, you too can be mindful of your paper use of the holidays following these tips:

• Wrap presents in old newspapers & string for a traditional look
• Buy recycled or FSC wrapper paper
• Wrap presents in something reusable: cloth string bag, scarf, fabric
• For something rather artistic, learn the art of ′Furoshiki′, similar to origami this is wrapping presents in folded fabric
• Reuse old Christmas cards as gift tags
• Dig out some old maps, housing blueprints or wallpaper samples and wrap your presents up with these, quite unusual & striking
• Opt for E-cards to cut out paper completely
• Recycle all of your paper waste
• As friends and family not to give cards this year, just think of the paper you′ll save
• Watch what you throw away or recycle – is there something you could use it for to ′upcycle′ it?
• Look for gifts that have little or no packaging.

Bed Frames
Conventional - Particleboard, plywood, MFC, MDF bed frames, divans contain formaldehyde, VOCs.  Fabric over divans is treated with fire retardants, mould inhibitors and other chemical treatments that offgas whilst you sleep.  Drawers underneath the bed don’t allow air to circulate when full of storage.
Greener – Metal bed frame helps air circulate and bedbugs aren’t able to crawl up the legs.  Sustainable timber frame (e.g. softwood, bamboo) without chemical treatments or a salvaged bed frame to make use of someone else’s waste.

Mattresses
Conventional – Fabric is treated with stain repellents, moisture repellents, mould inhibitors, flame retardants e.g. PBDEs, some treatments contain heavy metals associated with cancer.  Polyurethane foam & memory foam mattresses off gas whilst asleep associated with various medical conditions, especially respiration e.g. asthma. 
Greener – Natural latex, corn based plastic, organic wool, organic cotton
N.B. Flame retardants are mandatory on shop bought mattresses, although the level depends on country.

Duvets
Conventional – Polyurethane, polyester, and various chemicals that are toxic on your skin and offgas toxic vapours.
Greener – Down (natural but harbours dust mites & harvesting down is questionable), kapok, camel hair, organic cotton, organic wool, wood pulp.

Bed linen & Blankets
Conventional – Chemical dyes, stain resistant treatment, permanent press treatments (containing formaldehyde).
Greener – Patchwork recycled blankets, vegetable based, organic wool, organic cotton, organic bamboo, hemp, organic silk,

Pillows
Conventional – Polyurethane, polyester, down – all harbouring dust mites.  Any chemical based materials are in direct contact with your skin for 6-8 hours per day.
Greener – Organic wool helps deter dust mites. Dow, kapok, horse hair, natural latex, buckwheat, organic cotton, recycled polyester (this is still chemical based and will offgas)

Don’t forget transportation – a natural material from overseas will not be as eco as it seems when you add shipping carbon emissions!

Creating a sustainable interior is simply about cutting out chemical based materials and products and opting for natural, organic and treatment free.

Average heat loss with poor insulation
• Walls – up to 35%
• Roof – up to 25%
• Floor – up to 15%
• Windows and doors – up to 25%

Benefits of insulation
• Lower your utility bills by using less heating than without insulation
• Reduce the amount of carbon emissions you create from your existing heating system
• Reduce noise pollution between neighouring walls & other external sources
• Insulation will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer
• Regarded as a home improvement, insulation will add value to the price of your property
• Adequate insulation will score a better ‘Building Energy Rating’, making your home more attractive to house buyers and renters
• Insulate with eco-friendly products e.g. recycled paper or sheep’s wool uses less energy to manufacture than conventional insulation = less carbon emissions
• Save up to one third of heat loss in a well insulated home
• Insulation is versatile; on the house exterior, within cavity walls or on the inside of walls.  There a lots of types available to suit all homes, new and old.

Formaldehyde is a cheap glue used widely in chipboard, plywood and pressed panels.  Conventional kitchen cupboards and worktops contain formaldehyde, with the following health risks: skin / respiration / eye irritant and  proven to cause cancer in animals. Health risks are generally after exposure over a long period of time, depending on the concentration level.  If you suffer with chemical sensitivities, breathing difficulties or asthma, formaldehyde can make the symptoms worse.  Adhesives are also petrochemical & solvent based, making them non renewable resources. 

Prevention of exposure is the best idea for your health, by reducing the amount of formaldehyde in the home.  Non mechanical, natural, fresh and constant ventilation is important to help keep the concentration levels lower.  Plants that absorb some interior toxins are; rubber plant, spider plant, ivy, Christmas cactus and mother-in-law’s tongue/snake plant.  Plants that help with formaldehyde are; areca rubber plant, spider plant, palm, lady palm, bamboo palm, date palm, and the peace lily. 

With few ‘off the shelf’ kitchen manufacturers producing formaldehyde free cupboards (carcass material, fillers and mouldings), a new kitchen can be a toxic nightmare.  Conventional worktops such as laminated or melamine also contain formaldehyde based adhesives.  Sometimes there isn’t any alternative to buying a conventional kitchen, however this puts you, your family, the manufacturing operative and the kitchen fitter’s health at risk from exposure to the various chemical components in the chipboard.  If you renovate your kitchen, cut the worktop or kitchen cupboards, this releases higher concentration level of toxins / particles, much larger in size than VOC vapours. 

Currently in Ireland unless you buy a solid timber kitchen (be careful with the finishes), or specify formaldehyde free board, you’ll be bringing freshly manufactured toxins into the home.  Formaldehyde is one of the commonly known volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adding to poor indoor air quality as it offgasses into the interior air over the whole life span.   A known danger to health, that isn’t advertised enough!

Recycling bins stacked full with cardboard, newspapers, plastic, aluminium cans, foil etc. Glass jars, wine bottles and pasta sauces stacked up ready for recycling.  These are good intentions, but what is wrong with recycling?  We all know this term ′reduce, reuse, recycle′.  What′s being missed out is ′reduce and also review′. Recycling is the last process of a product – think about what goes on before the recycling bin and try to adapt your habits.

Reduce
what your household consumes
the amount of landfill waste your household creates
the amount of recycling your household creates
the amount of products you buy
the need to buy new products
the need to throw into landfill
the need to follow trend, fashion and cutting edge design
the amount of packaging you buy
the amount of disposable products you buy

Review
what you need to buy – can you make something yourself?
what you recycle – what can you give to friends, family or colleagues
what you recycle – have a swap party for clothes, shoes, bags, coats, furniture & accessories
what you recycle – give to a charity shop or recycling network
what you throw away and see if you can reuse it
your waste in advance – put together an action plan
what you are buying – shop around for quality and long lasting products.
look after what you have at home, give things a chance to last
only recycle when other ways have been looked at

Heating & cooling systems: Whether a conventional boiler or an air-conditioning system – how energy efficient is it? There are plenty of renewable energy systems now on the Irish market – with grants available through SEI. Become non-reliant on fossil fuels and do your bit for the planet.

Insulation: Floors, walls & ceiling.  It′s no good having an energy efficient heating system if the heat is lost through the roof. Ensure you have adequate insulation to help reduce your heating bills & the energy resources you use.

Energy efficient appliances: Appliances more than 10 years old could be using far more electricity than you think.  Although it′s great to repair and use a product for as long as possible, new energy efficient appliances can save you money & reduce your carbon emissions.

Electricity:  We′re all bound by our need for electricity, in the modern world we can′t live easily without it.  The home uses a vast amount of energy for construction, occupancy, maintenance and disposal.  Do your best to be aware of what you use and try to limit or adapt it.  Consider renewable energy systems, energy efficient appliances & lighting, and make the most of natural daylight and solar heat gain.

Plug sockets:  Don′t just switch them off, TAKE THEM OUT! Your TV, DVD/CD player, PC, printer, fax, radio, rechargers, heaters, extension leads, portable lights, kettle¦ All of these use electricity even when the item is switched off.

Standby mode: The No 1 home carbon crime – anything with a standby mode, red LED light, remote control will still use electricity. Sometimes using the same amount as when the item is in use.  That means shutting down your PC at night!

Gadgets: The convenience or laziness of electrical gadgets.  What do you really need and what could be done manually? Electrical: dictionaries, bike lights, tooth brushes, shavers, knives, cooking aids, whisks etc.

Recharging: Make your energy use smarter with solar powered rechargers for your mobile phone, digital camera, MP3 player etc.

1. Buy less

Is there any need to buy new?  Reduce the demand on materials, resources and manufacturing.  Avoid buying for trend and fashion, and instead consider lifespan, quality and durability.

2. Waste less

What are you throwing away unnecessarily or without thought?  Do what you can to recycle, compost, repair, renovate, recondition and reuse.  Save our landfill!

3. Lower & be smarter with your energy use

Electricity, water, fuel – all using non renewable resources adding to your carbon emissions. What can you do to prevent heat loss, reduce energy use and convert to renewable energy systems?

4. Less synthetics

Petroleum based materials such as conventional paint, stain, varnish, carpet, soft furnishings, textiles, sealant, glue, plastic, furniture, MFC, MDF, electrical equipment casing etc. Production uses large amounts of energy, creates toxic waste and once the materials is in your home this adds to indoor air pollution, causing a hazard to your health.

5. Live in less space

The bigger the home, the more resources you need to build, occupy, keep it running and renovate it.  Downsize your property to what′s essential.

6. What′s in your interior?

You have a choice to fill the home with materials and products that have don′t have a high impact on the natural environment.  Do some research before you buy and make informed decisions! Go for all things sustainable, renewable, natural, biodegradable, energy efficient, recycled, repaired and locally made.

7. Natural lighting

Reduce the need for artificial lighting with clever interior design tips and ideas to make the most out of natural daylight.  Save electricity & money on your utility bill!

8. Buy locally

Cut out shipping and transportation and opt for local manufacturers.  Support the local economy and reduce the number of fossil fueled miles every time you shop local.

Creating a safe environment for babies and infants to sleep in is vital as they can spend a lot of time asleep in the nursery. Their bodies and are unable to take on the same toxins that an interior has compared to adults, as their organs are still immature. Consider what the nursery is decorated with and note any possible finishes or fabrics that could contain toxic additives and offgas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the nursery air.

Soft furnishings like curtains and carpet trap different pollutants and encourage dust mites and mildew. It′s best to have more smooth surfaces like sustainable timber flooring and blinds, so that the risks of allergy and respiration conditions are reduced.  The cot, mattress and bedding are the most important products to consider from a health perspective.  Avoid any synthetic products and opt for natural alternatives that are chemical free e.g. organic cotton, natural mattresses, natural laundry detergent etc.  The only unfortunate result is that this will cost you more money than other products.  However the long term health and wellbeing of you baby is priceless.

Being British and still following The Daily Mail….. sorry Ireland, I read yesterday that Kirstie Allsop from Relocation, Relocation, Relocation had been promoting how we should all re-fall in love with our homes during the recession and redecorate, redecorate, redecorate.  Hoorah, at last the mainstream world is catching onto the eco world.  This is also in line with the interior design winter trend for 2008-2009 which is ′humble craft′, creating a better quality of life in your home by sprucing up what you have and going for the eclectic style.

 Too many people just sell their homes and move onto a bigger one, as I often hear ′We′ve outgrown it′.  With just a little consideration, redesign, space planning, renovation and TLC, your existing home can be the one you′ve dreamed of. You don′t need to throw away everything and build from new – just think of the waste and resources used.  Old pieces can become like new, and if you value something more generally you′ll take care of it – increasing the lifespan and reducing the need to buy new things.  So a thumbs up for the DIY redecorators out there.  Thinking green is thinking clever.