Waste Management

What we did not put in the dump

Here are the stats about what we threw away and a good estimate of what we spared from the dump by leaving spatterdash on the house and putting insulation and shingles on top.

Stucco weight probably 4,000-4,500 kg ———lead waste 1,500-2,000 kg (on trim & cedar shakes)——-drywall /plaster waste from interior 1135 kg. Total 7,725 kg. We probably left 2 to 3 times as much on the wall —— thus embedding the energy on the building and keeping it out of the dump.

What About Wasting Water?

This April (2020) is on track veto be one of the driest - setting the island up for forest fires this summer. The rules and regs about water saving, rain water capture and grey water use, combined with run off reduction could help us draw less from reservoirs and the water table. We need to do more and the city needs to help us through regulation and awareness building so we all waste less water. Composting toilets are part of the answer.

Everything Old Is New Again

Recycled material. We used a lot of it in the house (from our house and other spots around town undergoing renovation). The old first growth wood is strong and where structure needs amendment shear walls can do the work.

The greenest house is the one that is already built. Waste management starts with not knocking perfectly good old houses down.

The furnishings are mainly hand me downs

Lund’s Auction House is our favorite spot in town to search for antiques. Their wares are typically better quality than anything we can buy new. They are already in the ‘hood, and very affordable. We have found rugs, a glass fronted case, art, tables, a dresser, vintage linens and blankets, a dinner service for 12 and more there. We’ll list more favorite spots under resources. Beware, I come from a long line of inveterate thrift shoppers.

The Business of Trash

Reading: Adam Minter, the  author of “Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade” and "Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale."