Like all projects, there are many opportunities, challenges, and issues to maximize green in your kitchen & bath. Here are 10 quick tips to get started.

1. Adhesives and caulks that have very low VOCs and/or are solvent-free, including kitchen & bath caulk, drywall and construction adhesives, floor glues, and tile adhesives. Use aggressively to prevent water problems.
2. Paints that have zero “nasties”, including VOCs, acetone, crystalline silica, ethylene glycol, ammonia, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde precursors. Don't settle for color limitations, lower scrubability or saturation, or diminished application performance.
3. Energy Star appliances. Most important is the one item that is on 24/7/365: the fridge. The freezer-bottom version is most efficient (cold air drops, so let gravity work for you). Also dishwasher, microwave, water heater, TVs & other appliances.
4. Lighting. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are the next generation. Recessed, pendant, under counter, and cove versions are great. Use 80% less energy than regular incandescent lights, 40% less than CFLs; will last 40,000 – 100,000 hours (50,000 hours = 17 years at 8 hours/day x 365); virtually no heat; many are dimmable; and no mercury. If LEDs won't work, then look for CFLs which are getting much better than earlier versions.
   • The most efficient light: the sun. Maximize design with windows, clerestories, solar tubes, doors, overhangs, window glazings, and other features to strategically balance light and heat gain.
5. Design materials. Choose wisely for floors, countertops, cabinets/vanities, sinks, hardware pulls, and other “finish” materials.
   • Choose products made of recycled content (especially post-consumer) and/or rapidly-renewable materials, are recycle, and don't have formaldehyde and other offgassing chemicals.
   • All woods should be either reclaimed/recycled or FSC-certified for proof of environmentally-appropriate management and harvesting.
   • Choose wheatboards, which are made of rapidly renewable wheat straw and non-formaldehyde adhesives, instead of particleboards, which are made of wood chips and usually formaldehyde glues.
   • Choose stains and/or sealants that are healthier (even repairable) for finishing wood floors, trim, paneling, and furniture. Examples include tung oil, plant oil-wax finishes, and water-based polyurethane.
   • Tiles made from recycled glass or metals are beautiful—and using recycled materials uses up to 90% less energy to make than virgin materials.
6. Water
   • Filters clear out chlorine, dirt, chemicals, bugs, and other pollutants to give you clean water.
   • Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators use tiny air-jets to push the water—use less water but don't sacrifice pressure.
   • Heat: use tankless heaters for efficient immediate hot water (no waiting to warm up) or highly efficient tanks. When feasible, use solar thermal systems.
   • GFX and recirculation systems smartly reuse hot water.
7. Cleaning supplies. Use environmentally-friendly soaps and cleaners that are low on chemicals, perfumes, and surfactants (which scratch surfaces). Borax, vinegar, baking soda, and H2O are great starter ingredients.
8. Ventilation. Make sure the room is properly ventilated and balanced. Use windows or fans or both.
9. Induction stove-tops. Using magnets to heat pots and pans, they are highly efficient. Bonus: No heat which means better safety. Also: use the toaster-oven to reheat, bake and roast smaller dishes.
10. Food. Organic and local foods minimize the amounts of pesticides, chemicals, petroleum, transport, pests, and other problems in our food supply and our bodies.

Download as a pdf (much prettier layout)