Approved by Subject Editors on April 28, 2005

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Approved by Subject Editors on August 11, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Freed

Oceanside Glasstile is fabricated in Carlsbad. Oceanside Glasstile is made from recycled post-consumer and post-industrial glass waste. Glass is all natural, does not offgas, resists the growth of mold and mildew, won't scratch and is easy to clean. I suggest a citrus based cleaner to keep the surface and grout joints perfect. A natural sealer could be used on the grout to avoid the growth of mildew.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 26, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Corey Freed

Made from recycled paper and recycled plastic resin, PaperStone composite countertops have a warm, neutral and unique look. Many people compare it to soapstone. It is made in Seattle. PaperStone does not support the growth of mold or bacteria. It does not offgass any VOC's but does contain a small amount of formaldehyde as a binder. PaperStone is NSF Certified and is rated as healthy for commercial kitchens. PaperStone is highly stain resistant, but prone to cutting. Since it is a solid material, these cuts can be sanded out to reveal the same color.

Approved by Subject Editors on September 13, 2004

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

Their furniture and cabinets are manufactured from bamboo, a quick growing renewable resource. Their glues are typically low-VOC but contact them for special glues for use around chemically sensitive individuals.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 14, 2004

Reviewed by maggiecoewood

New York based furniture company, Q Collection, takes environmental sustainability, healthy indoor air quality, and style seriously. Their line of stunning, high-end furniture is designed to eliminate the toxic chemicals and carcinogens typically found in residential furniture, including formaldehyde, polyurethane, and fire retardants. All their wood construction is FSC Certified, and they offer a wide selection of upholstery fabrics, produced using zero impact dyes, and leather, produced with vegetable dyes and a tanning process free of heavy metals. Q Collection's ultimate goal of reducing its environmental footprint includes a 'cradle to cradle' approach- looking at its furniture from the very beginning to the very end of its life cycle- and ultimately, to its return to the environment. They claim that excess fabric clippings from their textile mill are used by nearby farmers as mulch, and that they've completely eliminated the highly toxic byproduct, dioxin, from their manufacturing process. This company is leading the pack of green furniture designers, and has proven its commitment to upholding the highest standards of green design. I'm anxiously awaiting to see what new designs they'll introduce this year!

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd

This reclaimed wood flooring is remilled from tight-grained, old-growth lumber taken from deconstructed buildings, salvaged from waterways or urban areas, or cut from standing dead or wind-fallen trees. It benefits the environment because it offers the beauty and function of wood while still leaving forests intact--as well as the soil protection, oxygen and habitat they provide. They also make a point not to salvage wood from buildings that have historical relevance. This preserves our human heritage. These woods are some of the most natural and nontoxic woods available. Since much of the wood was cut decades ago, it is well-weathered and will not add anything but beauty to indoor air quality.