7 AMAZING RECYCLING BUILDING MATERIALS

 

Are you considering building a house that is green and eco-friendly? Then you may want to look at the following list of amazing recycling building materials which can be used to build an Eco-house. These items can be reclaimed from recycling centers for an amount of money or for free depending on what part of the world you live in.

The list of recycling building materials is endless and these are a few of items I find very useful to anyone who wishes to build 'green' in the 21^st century. Before you search for any recycling building material, it is advised that you have a plan and budget for all the things you might need before starting any project. Firstly, you can ask your local waste/recycling companies for access to any item. This will help provide you with information on free recycled items and those that can be purchased. If you live in a rural area, you can look around for old barn woods etc. You can also Google the words 'recycled materials' to get more information on where and how to get the recycling materials you will need in your local vicinity. In Ontario, Canada for instance you can get used building materials from recycling companies that specialize in reclaiming such items. There are many recycling centers out there.

Below is a list of 7 Amazing Recycling Building Materials:

1. USED STEEL: Steel can be melted down and reshaped into any desired structure in building construction.

2. SCRAP METALS: Like steel, various types of scrap metals can be reshaped again for a different purpose.

3. LUMBER/PLYWOOD: Lumber/plywood that is free of insect infestation and in good condition can be reused again to build houses, furniture etc.

4. USED PAVING STONES : Paving stones reclaimed from a demolition site can be reused again for landscaping somewhere else.

5. STAINED WINDOWS: Stained windows in good condition such as the ones found in old churches can be reclaimed and reused again in the building of a new home to give it character.

6. ANTIQUE FURNITURE: Over the years, antique furniture has become very popular and very valuable as they tend to increase in value over time if preserved properly. They can be reupholstered, painted or polished to give them a face lift. They add personality and charm to a new home where the owners are looking for the old world charm in a new building.

7. OLD PLASTICS: Old plastics can be melted down and reshaped to create various structures such as deck, fences etc.

There are many more recycled materials out there that can be reused again for building construction purposes. The seven items I have listed are some of the ones that are easy to find and affordable for those truly interested in these items.

Sustainability equals Durability

Have you ever bought anything that did not last for more than a few days? If yes, then I am sure you can relate to what I am saying here. I am a strong advocate of durability; no matter the item it should have a reasonable useful life to the extent that you can say that you got your money’s worth on the item. It does not matter if it was worth $1 or $1 million, it should have a certain level of durability which is measured by the satisfaction one gets from using the item.
Recently, I bought a pack of 6 pan sponges. The first sponge I used to scrub my pots and pans did not last more than 2 days before I had to throw it away and use another one. All other sponges in the pack had the same fate. I ended up using 5 sponges in 3days! Though the sponges did not cost me more that a dollar. It was not worth the money to me. Quality control is an important aspect of durability and should never be over looked in the manufacturing process of items. For the customer, value for money is a relative term and varies according to the level of satisfaction he or she gets from an item.
For me, the purchase of the sponges changed my perception and I concluded that cheap or affordability does not necessarily mean durability or sustainability. Sometimes, we may need to buy things a little more expensive to get good value for money. As you search, always look out for ‘durability’ and not ‘cheap’ items.
For any thing to be termed ‘sustainable’ it has to meet both criteria of being both affordable and durable. Read more articles on sustainability. Please leave comments of your personal experiences and your own idea of sustainability.

Environment Sustainability

The issue of environment sustainability is very important in ensuring that the environment is kept for future generations. The depletion of the ozone layer has become a worrying phenomenon for scientists and the world's population since this has contributed to various natural disasters such as melting of the ice at the north pole regions, excessive flooding, heatwave etc. Over reliance of the world on crude oil, the recent oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico and its effects on sea life and humans are the consequences of oil drilling that can not be over looked. Therefore, it is now important that man looks to other forms of renewable and alternative energy to prevent more damages to his environment.

There are many ways of ensuring that the environment is maintained and sustained for future generation. These include man's dedication to reducing his carbon footprints and emission on a daily basis and reusing items that can be used again (i.e. recycling should be part of everyone's daily activities). Using eco-friendly products at home and work is encouraged. Having said this, the issue of sustainability goes beyond recycling and using eco-friendly products. What are the strategic, economic and environmental decisions being made to ensure nature's resources are used properly? When using these resources, are health & safety issues taken into consideration? All aspects of a country's economy should always include policies that enhance environmental sustainability and not work against it. Technological advancement should not hinder this sustainability but should complement it hence the concept of 'green technologies' is very relevant to environmental sustainability.

These days if you want to buy anything ranging from organic food to solar panels you will have to pay a lot more for the item when compared to genetically modified food crops and other consumer household products. Going organic or green is not cheap. Apart from the fact that these items are expensive they are sometimes difficult for the consumer to find. Making development sustainable would need the cooperation of everyone especially the government who must ensure these products are readily available and more affordable. The search for green products and services takes a conscious effort. They can be found in various places ranging from online to departmental stores.

'Going green' can become a lifestyle for those who choose to do so. It is the hope that more people will get more involved in being 'green' as the years go by to ensure a sustainable environment.