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GBE Sustainable Renovation Process (Guest Post) G#42350

By 13 January 2025July 22nd, 2025Uncategorized

GBE Sustainable Renovation Process Guest Post

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How to keep sustainability in mind at every stage of the renovation process

  • Renovating a building in a way that doesn’t harm the planet can feel like a hard task.
  • The nature of renovation is ripping things out, throwing them away and starting again, which feels counterintuitive to being sustainable and reducing waste.
  • However, there are ways to make sure you can get the home you want whilst also keeping the environment in mind.
  • It’s important to remember that being sustainable isn’t about being perfect.
  • You’ve got to weigh up cost, time, and availability of materials as well as their environmental impact; but by thinking about it and doing some research you’ll be amazed at the increasing number of options available to you that align with your renovation goals.
  • In this short guide, we share some of the factors you should be considering.

Reducing waste

  • The first step in your renovation journey will likely be ripping out the old to make way for the new.
  • Whether you’re just updating a room or taking the house back to the bare bones, that’s a lot of waste.
  • Typically, most people just hire a skip and chuck everything away, because this is the most convenient option.
  • Depending on the state of your property, this may be your only choice.
  • Many skip companies now will try to separate waste for recycling, but this can be challenging with multiple types of waste in one container.
  • However, where you can, try not to automatically bin things such as furniture.
  • Charities will take items in used-but-good condition, and it’s easy to snap a few photos and list things online.
  • People all have different tastes, and someone may like the item you want to get rid of.
  • When it comes to creating the new aesthetic, try and think about what you can purchase secondhand.
  • Many furniture pieces can be upcycled, or seek out ex-display items that would otherwise be destined for the tip.
  • You can even shop on sites such as Ebay for unopened tins of paint in your chosen colour or for lightly used power tools.
  • By attempting to buy preowned first, you’re reducing the amount of new products needed to be produced.

Choosing the right products

  • The products you choose will have a big impact on the sustainability credentials of your property.
  • Aside from the usual offenders such as plastic, renovation essentials such as paint often contain harmful ingredients such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which contribute to climate change via greenhouse gases.
  • They’re also harmful to human health, so it’s far better to choose a low-VOC paint option where you can.
  • You can also look for products that are made from sustainable materials.
  • For example, many people like the look of a hardwood floor, but don’t want to go through the hassle of getting reclaimed wood.
  • A product such as bamboo flooring is inherently sustainable due to the fast-growing nature of the plant, making it a great eco-friendly choice that provides a very similar overall look.
  • Additionally, you should try and buy locally wherever possible.
  • If you’re shipping a sustainable product from the other side of the world, this will reduce the benefit you’re getting from using it in the first place.
  • Try and look for products manufactured in the country where you live – if you absolutely have to get it from further away, make sure you measure correctly and order all the items you need to try and ensure you just have one delivery.

Planning

  • Finally, when planning your renovation works, try and think about how you’re going to use the house, both now and in the future.
  • Whilst there will always be some flexibility as you go through life, there’s little point in fully renovating a room if you’re simply going to knock through it in a year’s time.
  • Try and make a plan before you start, to avoid having to redo things in the future wherever possible.
  • Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also save you time and money.

GBE Guest Author

Author bio: Lila Scott

  • An upcycling addict, Lila is currently in the middle of her own home renovation in Suffolk.
  • Combining her care for the planet with her love of contemporary interior design, she aims to share her eco-friendly advice with others, helping them get the look they want without detriment to the environment.
  • Independent Content Writer

© GBE GBC GRC GIC GGC GBL NGS ASWS Brian Murphy aka BrianSpecMan ******
13th January 2025

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© GBE GBC GRC GIC GGC GBL NGS ASWS Brian Murphy aka BrianSpecMan ******
13th January 2025

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© GBE GBC GRC GIC GGC GBL NGS ASWS Brian Murphy aka BrianSpecMan ******
13th January 2025

GBE Sustainable Renovation Process Guest Post G#42350 End.

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