Conserving Resources:

• There was minimal waste construction from the job site. Minimizing construction waste allowed us to avoid a standard 40cu yard garbage bin on site. Thoughtful design and construction allowed less waste than conventional construction.   

• Cantilevering the first floor allows for a smaller foundation, thereby reducing the amount of concrete required.  Fly ash was added to minimize the amount of Portland cement required. Portland cement (concrete) has a very high embodied energy so the less used, the better.
  
• Products were sourced with an emphasis on companies that have committed to environmental stewardship not only in their products but also in continually improving and advancing processes, using the 3Rs and material conservation. 

Minimal Wood Waste:

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  By avoiding the use of artificially manufactured wood products (such as OSB and plywood), what little waste was created can be used as a heat source in our masonry stove reducing wood waste.  

• The use of a micro mill allows wood to be ordered in custom sizes rather than industry standards thereby reducing waste.

• A roof design with no valleys greatly reduces sheathing and membrane waste.

• Utilizing timbers for floor joists and 2 x 6 decking for both the sub floor and finished floor eliminates the use of thousands of square feet of plywood, drywall, drywall compound, paint and finished flooring material.

Salvaging:

• Re-use or salvaged materials have been incorporated into our home interior.   Utilizing used and liquidated building materials increases affordability, decreases our CO2 contribution (as the product is already made and has been used) and lowers our consumption while building a new house.
  
• We were able to source and purchase used energy efficient windows for a good portion of our home.
  
• Some of our timbers were salvaged wood.
  
• Some of our plumbing fixtures were salvaged.
  
• We utilized found objects and scrap wood to make furniture.

Recycling:

• Emphasis on recycling what waste we did have was a priority to lessen the impact on our local landfill.

• The natural hydraulic lime plaster can be easily recycled, contrary to what happens when hard cement based mortars are used.

• American Clay can be dried for future touch ups and can be easily returned to nature in its clay form.

• Burning household waste such as toilet paper rolls and newsprint keep it out of the recycle stream.

Composting:

• Kitchen waste is converted into compost through an outdoor compost bin and vermi-composting.

* All materials and systems were chosen to create a healthy, natural environment, while significantly reducing costs for heating, cooling and water bills.