Going Green
The advantages of refinishing vs. replacement do not merely include saving time and money, it also saves resources, energy, and landfill space while reducing our carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is a “measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.” The choices we make everyday, in our homes, travel, what we buy and throw away, all influence our carbon footprint and by proxy, our environment.
Everything involved in producing new fixtures impacts the environment adversely. With refinishing, those adverse effects are significantly reduced for individuals, hotels, and apartments. Did you know that more materials go to landfills during a remodeling project than an entire new construction project? The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that close to 32 million tons of waste per year are sent to landfills from home remodeling projects. The garbage coming from construction and demolition debris accounting for 20% of all landfill waste, with 43% of that contributed from residential construction and renovation projects.
With all the concerns about global warming, overfull landfills, conservation and greenhouse gases, we believe that refinishing makes a substantial contribution in reducing the future impact on our environment.