Archive for the 'Green Building' Category
Dec
19
Wanna Recycle More Plastics? Just Ask Comedian Rudy Mancuso [Video]
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you know which plastics you can recycle? Comedian, musician, and online personality Rudy Mancuso says: think again. Plastics Make it Possible partnered with Mancuso to show Americans that we can recycle many more plastics than we might realize – from plastic beverage bottles to bags and buckets to bubble wrap.
A recent Plastics Make It Possible survey revealed that people over 60 years old are among the best recyclers – 15 percent more likely to recycle each day than millennials. And compared to older generations, millennials are less likely to know that common plastics, such as shampoo bottles, yogurt cups, and milk jugs, are recyclable.
To raise awareness and encourage more plastics recycling, Mancuso walked the streets of New York City to test people’s recycling knowledge – and shed some light on how simple it is to recycle more plastics every day.
To learn more about plastics recycling, visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
19
Wanna Recycle More Plastics? Just Ask Comedian Rudy Mancuso [Video]
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you know which plastics you can recycle? Comedian, musician, and online personality Rudy Mancuso says: think again. Plastics Make it Possible partnered with Mancuso to show Americans that we can recycle many more plastics than we might realize – from plastic beverage bottles to bags and buckets to bubble wrap.
A recent Plastics Make It Possible survey revealed that people over 60 years old are among the best recyclers – 15 percent more likely to recycle each day than millennials. And compared to older generations, millennials are less likely to know that common plastics, such as shampoo bottles, yogurt cups, and milk jugs, are recyclable.
To raise awareness and encourage more plastics recycling, Mancuso walked the streets of New York City to test people’s recycling knowledge – and shed some light on how simple it is to recycle more plastics every day.
To learn more about plastics recycling, visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
13
6 green gift ideas everyone can love
December 13, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Did you know electronics left plugged in drain energy, even when they’re turned off? To reduce energy consumption, give battery-operated, cordless gadgets this holiday season. Need ideas? We’ve got you covered with these green gift ideas for ev…
Dec
7
Building a Tiny House with Plastics [Video]
December 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Tiny House Nation’s Zack Giffin and builder Paul Baumann built a tiny house in Boulder, Colorado, for Plastics Make it Possible to highlight the environmental benefits of building materials made with plastics. The house demonstrates how energy-efficient plastic building products can help dramatically reduce energy use in any size home.
To seal the “building envelope” and reduce unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of the tiny house, Zack and Paul relied on a variety of innovative plastic building products, such as three types of plastic foam insulation, insulated vinyl windows, a polyurethane and foam core front door, vinyl siding and trim, and a polycarbonate skylight. These plastics not only improve the energy efficiency of the tiny house, but they also make the house extremely durable and water resistant.
This innovative tiny house has traveled around the United States, starting in Boulder, making its way to Los Angeles, and finally to Pittsburgh. Thanks to its sturdy plastic components, it’s ready to go just about anywhere. To learn more about the tiny house, plastics, and sustainability, please visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
7
Building a Tiny House with Plastics [Video]
December 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Tiny House Nation’s Zack Giffin and builder Paul Baumann built a tiny house in Boulder, Colorado, for Plastics Make it Possible to highlight the environmental benefits of building materials made with plastics. The house demonstrates how energy-efficient plastic building products can help dramatically reduce energy use in any size home.
To seal the “building envelope” and reduce unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of the tiny house, Zack and Paul relied on a variety of innovative plastic building products, such as three types of plastic foam insulation, insulated vinyl windows, a polyurethane and foam core front door, vinyl siding and trim, and a polycarbonate skylight. These plastics not only improve the energy efficiency of the tiny house, but they also make the house extremely durable and water resistant.
This innovative tiny house has traveled around the United States, starting in Boulder, making its way to Los Angeles, and finally to Pittsburgh. Thanks to its sturdy plastic components, it’s ready to go just about anywhere. To learn more about the tiny house, plastics, and sustainability, please visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Nov
30
3 ways to turn discarded wood into beautiful home decor
November 30, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – The saying, “what’s old is new again” has been around for years, but most recently represents a popular trend in interior design – upcycling old items with a new purpose. Everyone from high-end designers to DIYers are enjoying and incorporating this trend into their everyday life. From five-star restaurants to suburban living rooms, people are seeking out weathered pieces of wood, discarded metal and unlikely antiques to create a unique, down to earth, and comfortable design aesthetic in their living spaces.
An unusual hero of this new design trend is the wooden pallet, which can easily be purchased at any hardware store. With some creativity and know how, these inexpensive items can be re-purposed to create a personalized statement in your home that you’ll love.
Re-imagine your wall
Today, walls are for paint and pictures, but even if you’ve fallen in love with a certain color for your living room, don’t you think your walls can have more personality? They absolutely can, and one way people are adding new life to their walls is by paneling them with reclaimed wood. To achieve this look, purchase a number of pallets, cut them into various sizes and arrange them on your wall.
To enhance the natural beauty of the wood and to show off your own personal style, pick a few of your favorite stain colors and apply them to the wood. If you are looking for bright and bold colors or subtle cottage inspired tones, check out Minwax(R) Water Based Wood Stains. For traditional, rich wood tones, try Minwax(R) Wood Finish(TM). It’s a deep penetrating stain that offers an array of colors, so you can create a display of contrast and patterns on your walls that can be truly stunning. After staining your wood pallet, don’t forget to protect it with a clear protective finish.
Create a fun and functional piece
If you’re someone who is always looking to free up cabinet or counter space, use a wooden pallet to create a rustic mug holder. For this project, all you need to do is add hooks to a few of the wood slats for the mugs to hang from. Get creative with this pallet by painting a design or phrase such as “But First, Coffee” on the top wooden slat.
You can add some dimension to wood by staining it with Minwax(R) Wood Finishing Cloths(TM). These convenient one-step cloths are pre-moistened with stain and finish allowing for easy application and clean up. They’re available in five beautiful colors from Natural Oak to Dark Mahogany, allowing you to achieve that rustic feel.
Update your headboard
If you are looking to give your bedroom a makeover, consider building a headboard for your bed out of pallet wood.
The idea here isn’t to make an even, straight-edged piece; rather it’s to embrace a more rustic style.
Start by gathering your wood pallets and applying Minwax(R) Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to prepare the bare wood surface for staining. It will help to prevent streaks and blotches by allowing for even stain absorption. Once the wood has been prepared, apply your favorite stain color. With over 100 colors to choose from, you are sure to find a color that will showcase your personal style.
Using different lengths and widths, arrange the boards so they span the width of your bed. Attach a few long pieces across the back to serve as crossbeams that hold it together. The variation in sizes will create a jagged top and make a big statement.
These are just a few of the many possibilities you can create with pallet wood. From wall décor to nightstands and tables, all you need is some wooden pallets, stain, clear protective finish and a little creativity, and you’ll be able to integrate this design trend into your home!