Going Green in the Bathroom

Green Tips for Bathroom

Bathroom is a room that we always use everyday frequently. By applying green habit in the bathroom, we can create one of green home area. These are some tips to go green in the bathroom:

Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Look for cabinets made from wheatboard or other low-VOC materials
Install water saving devices for taps and shower
Vanity tops are similar to countertops, and engineered stone surfaces are popular choices. Recycled tile is often more popular as a vanity top than as a kitchen counter, since cleaning grout in the bathroom is less of an issue than in a food prep area.
Use fluorescent lighting paired with electronic ballasts for maximum efficiency and performance. Try also to include a window, skylight, or any natural light even from a tubular skylight. It will dramatically lessen your dependence on electric light
A vent fan is a must to remove odors, airborne irritants and moisture that can lead to mold problems. To be truly effective, a vent fan should be left on for at least 20 minutes after a shower, so consider a timer that will ensure it runs long enough to remove all the moisture.
If space and design permit, include an operable window for natural ventilation and daylight. Make sure the window is well-insulated.
Choose recycled glass, ceramic or porcelain tile for shower surrounds. Thinner grout lines with unsanded, lightly colored (not white) epoxy grouts are easier to clean and less prone to mold and mildew. Acrylic and fiberglass are easier to maintain, but are less durable and less eco-friendly from a manufacturing standpoint. And maybe your old tub would look great in your new bathroom with some professional refinishing.
Tile and natural linoleum are often your best choices to hold up in a bathroom environment. Cork and bamboo flooring may be an option at least in some areas of your bathroom; just make sure they can stand up to water exposure. Stay away from vinyl sheet and tile products.
Stick a brick in your toilet’s water tank to reduce the amount of water used for each flush
Use tankless hot water heaters. They use 20 percent less energy than traditional water heaters, paying for the extra up-front cost in just a few years.
Use composting toilets/waterless urinals
Greywater recycling. These systems collect and filter water from sinks, tubs, showers and the laundry (called grey water) and re-use it to irrigate landscapes or even to flush toilets. These systems range from the very simple to the very complex and are not accepted by all code jurisdictions.

Point 11 to 13 is for those who want to create more greener bathroom. While these will add additional cost, they promise a significant return on investment.

References:
Strategies for Going Green in the Bathroom by Rob Fanjoy
How to be green in the bathroom (translated by Greenerlifes.com)