4 Dramatic Action Pathways

You shut the lights off when you leave the room, waste not a drop of water while brushing your teeth, and bundle every last scrap of recyclable material into blue bags. You’re the epitome of ‘environmental citizen’ and yet somehow these daily eco actions sometimes seem insignificant. Become an eco hero this season with four renovation strategies that will dramatically reduce the impact your home has on your family and the planet.

When it comes to renovating, the choices we make weigh heavily on the scales of sustainability. With conscious choices about what you put inside your home, you’ll be blown away by the difference it makes.

Detoxify

You’ve checked the label of your favourite lotion so you’re in touch with only the most nourishing and benign ingredients. Next up is to take a close look at what you put on the skin of your home – its walls. Conventional paints can contaminate your home’s air with chemicals that take a toll on your family’s health over time. Even paints marketed as ‘low VOC’ may not be as green as they claim to be especially after colorant is added. A VOC is a volatile organic compound, a substance released into the air that can have an impact on your health. Continue Reading →

Raising Spaces Last Minute Green Holiday Guide

Feel like you’re destined to be a last-minute Christmas elf again this year? “Luckily, there’s still a swath of options for you to give sustainably and party consciously,” says Andrea Jones, co-owner of newly opened eco-retailer Raising Spaces.

“It’s an overwhelming time of year, especially if you’re the kind of person whose calendar takes you by surprise.” jokes Jones. City street light and mall décor appears seconds after Halloween, staff Christmas parties kick in early-November, and before you know it, the two-weeks till Christmas countdown is upon you. It’s no shocker that holiday-stress levels have you reaching for the spiked nog a little too often!

So what can you do if it’s December 12 and you’re woefully behind the seasonal times? Jones shares the goods on eco friendly gift giving options, festive planet-friendly decorating tips, and low-impact holiday hosting/party-hopping ideas, all to save you time and simplify your holiday experience.

Last-minute Thoughtful Gifts Are Possible

Eco Store Offerings – A visit to three local eco shops can take care of your entire gift list! Between Raising Spaces Retail Store & Green Design Loft, Earth’s General Store & Carbon Environmental Boutique, you’ll have no shortage of health and planet friendly gift choices. Jones’ picks are below:

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(NC)—While it’s relatively new to us, cork flooring has been used in Europe for centuries because of its resilience, durability and surprisingly versatile, attractive designs. Today, cork is taking North America by storm due to all of those attributes, plus its unsurpassed eco-friendliness and sustainability.

Cork is hand-harvested, and no trees are harmed in this ancient practice. Century-old cork trees, harvested every nine years, still thrive in the forests of Portugal and Spain.

Eco-engineering of modern cork floors allows them to be installed over existing flooring including tiles. And, once installed, cork doesn’t merely beautify the home, it mutes and muffles sound with its natural acoustic properties, provides exceptional cushioning and warmth with its natural insulation properties, and is hypo-allergenic to safeguard your family’s health. Continue Reading →