Must-haves for an Ecohome

With government grants expected during the next decade to bring homes in Britain up to scratch in terms of their energy efficiency and impact on the environment, people are looking for new products to make their homes into ecohomes. Currently we are seeing an explosion in ecoproducts and furnishings, as well as technology to increase our reliance on renewable energy sources. But what are the top must-haves for a 21st century ecohome?

Carpets Made from Old Tyres

One company has developed revolutionary new carpets by making them out of recycled tyres from cars and lorries. Just under 500 000 tons of old tyres are disposed of every year – usually in landfill sites, so recycling them is a major environmental step forward. The carpets and door mats that can be produced from the tyres, which are cut into fine strips, are tough and durable and ideal for hallways, office buildings, schools and other high use areas. They are available in different colours and tones, so look quite attractive, but are not soft and luxurious, so not really an option for a relaxing and comfortable lounge.

Clean Up Using Recycled Plastic Bottles

Not the actual bottles but manufacturers have developed a process to turn old plastic bottles, which are also a major component of landfill, into a starting material that can be used to make sponges, scouring pads, cleaning cloths and dusters. To complete this update to an ecofriendly domestic lifestyle you can also buy a clothes line made of recycled bottles, the pegs to hang the washing, and the basket to store the pegs.

Hemp-based Concrete

For extensions or new builds, a new type of ecofriendly concrete is also available. Instead of using the normal high energy components of traditional concrete, hemcrete, as it has been termed, contains hemp fibres that are bound together with a lime-based product. The hemcrete is structurally just as strong as concrete and it also helps retain heat as it has far better thermal conserving properties than concrete. During manufacture, the hemcrete actually acts as a small carbon sink.

Corrugated Cardboard Furniture

Many people go to great lengths to maintain a green lifestyle but is cardboard furniture a step too far in pursuit of an ecohome? Not according to the manufacturers who have designed and constructed a wide range of cardboard products that are stylish and unusual. You can choose from a cardboard grandfather clock, cardboard lampshades and even a cardboard wardrobe that look they have been made from a light, beech-like wood.

Sheep’s Wool to Insulate an Ecohome

The idea of using sheep’s wool as an insulator is certainly not a new one but with the new interest in building environmentally low impact homes and converting current houses to be more ecofriendly, hill farmers have realised the potential for diversifying and are offering sheep’s wool insulation for sale online. Useful for new builds, the sheep’s wool can also be used in lofts in the place of artificial fibre insulation.

Nettle Upholstery and Cushions

Natural fabrics are favoured by home owners with an interest in the environment and now there is a new type of fabric to choose from to rival cotton, linen and silk. Developed as part of a university research project, the fabric has been named sting to reflect its origins – recycled sheep’s wool and stinging nettles. The fabric has been made into beautifully designed patterns and colours to target the interior design market and there is nothing ‘rough and ready’ about it. With a carbon neutral manufacturing process and no disposal implications – it is fully biodegradable – this one could be a real hit.

CD Cabinets made from Recycled CDs

Finally, another British company has come up with a solution to all those redundant CDs and other waste products – they even use bank notes that have been taken out of circulation when they are on offer. They reuse them to make plastic sheets to make all types of storage products, furniture and garden products. CD sheets have already been used to make a sink, a bar interior and for retaining sleeper-like structures for a garden as well as chairs and cabinets to put your new CDs in.

Ecohomes are Now Mainstream

The advent of a huge number of new products and processes that use waste material to make something useful means that having a more ecofriendly attitude to your living space is no longer a minority aim. There are UK and EU targets to reduce the country’s carbon footprint in the next few years and choosing recycled or low carbon products is one of those small steps that could make a real difference if enough of us do it.