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How to: Reduce, reuse and recycle when you renovate

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By Laney Clancy

At the heart of sustainability is the mantra ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’. Here’s how to renovate with these sustainable practices in mind.

Image courtesy of Maxa Design
Image courtesy of Maxa Design

Reduce waste

Renovating rather than building from scratch can be seen as the ultimate way to reduce waste. You are using some or all of the existing fabric of the building, and this reduces the need for materials, cuts down landfill, and keeps the overall embodied energy in your home lower than if you started from scratch.

A good way to reduce waste is to aim for longevity and the best way to do this is to buy quality materials, fixtures, fittings and appliances, and then maintain them well. Donโ€™t buy cheap materials as they will break before too long, which creates waste, not only when you remove the material but financially when you purchase a new item and hire a tradesperson to install it again.

For example, if a roof is looked after (e.g. regularly checking it and cleaning your gutters) it can last 20-25 years. We see a lot of hot water systems that last around half the length of time that they would if they were simply serviced. And a good bathroom will last 10-15 years if you invest in the best solutions and great tradespeople – but donโ€™t forget you must look after it!

Image courtesy of Maxa Design
Image courtesy of Maxa Design

Reuse material

One manโ€™s trash can absolutely be another manโ€™s treasure when renovating. Advertise some of the items you donโ€™t want any more on eBay, Gumtree or a local Facebook group. Even if you give them away for free, for example through networks like Freecycle, you donโ€™t have to pay for removal, you reduce landfill, and your piece gets a new life elsewhere. Old bricks, hard wood timber floor boards, period features and quality 1950s light fittings are in great demand and can be quite pricey, so never throw them in the skip.

You can also mine these networks for materials and fittings that you may want to use in your renovation. When renovating you should absolutely work with your trades to salvage any interesting items or reusable materials before demolition.

Also, if you can remember when you last had something maintained, installed or repaired, you can then make an informed decision of whether some of your own existing items can be reused. For example, some problem fixtures should be replaced due to their age because even if repaired now they will cause new issues in the near future. But other issues can be repaired under warranty.

Your choice of material may dictate the aesthetic of your renovation or vice versa, but fortunately there’s a big enough range to fit into a lot of different themes. Reclaimed pieces can be used for retro chic, rustic or industrial looks, for example, or it can shake things up in a very modern home.

Image courtesy of Maxa Design
Image courtesy of Maxa Design

Recycle

If you can’t reuse something, consider how you might recycle it responsibly. Glass and metal are prime candidates for recycling and many recycling plants take some kinds of plastic as well. Items such as carpet can be turned into insulation materials so don’t think of it as landfill just yet.

By mindful of recyclability when you purchase new materials and fittings as well. Ask yourself: is it made of material that can be recycled? Once you use this as criteria it will help your renovation become more sustainable.

There are a number of ways in which you can make your renovation sustainable but in many cases it comes down to the three standard principles of reduce (usage and waste), reuse (material, fixtures and fittings), and recycle (both using recycled items and recycling your unwanted items). Good luck with your sustainable reno!

Laney Clancy is the Marketing and Finance Manager at Pipe Perfection Plumbers in Sydney. She gets to talk to plumbers about plumbing and home maintenance a lot, and loves a good bathroom makeover.

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November 15, 2016

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New @kmartaus home has dropped! Hit up the link i New @kmartaus home has dropped!

Hit up the link in bio for more and links to buy. Enjoy!

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Take a scroll through the stunning new art on line Take a scroll through the stunning new art on linen collab from @grottilotti and @linen_house We love it! โค๏ธ

And even if you're not in the market for new linen, the bird cushions would look fab on a sofa. The pink one might be finding its way to my house...

More info on the homepage now via link in bio.

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I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scal I'm absolutely loving the simple yet on trend scallop design and colour pop of these lampshades from new brand @soffle_lights 

Read founder Sophie Cartwright's top tips for transforming your rental home on the blog now. Via link in bio.

Which colour is your fave?!

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
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