Green Watch
Smart tips for sustainable living around town
By Betsy Sheldon
By the Boot Scraps
Chalk up plenty of green points for Robus Leather floor tiles. Not only are they composed of recycled postindustrial furniture, shoe, and carseat scraps, they’re manufactured in Madison, Indiana—which means a smaller energy footprint when purchased and installed regionally. Even better, the scrap material comes from within a 500-mile radius, and the flooring sealant and adhesive are both zero-VOC. The 2’x2’ floor tiles come in more than 75 textures and every Pantone color; cost averages $8.99 per square foot. 471-8686, robus.com
Give Habitat a Hand
With $180,000 in grants, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis built 22 green homes in 2008. Energy Star appliances, solar-powered attic fans, and tankless water heaters are expected to reduce residents’ annual utility bills by the equivalent of one mortgage payment. Habitat also used low-VOC stains, paints, and adhesives for better indoor air quality. Want to support the cause in 2009? Shop for leftover renovation materials (screen doors, bathroom fixtures) at the Habitat ReStore, open Wednesday through Saturday. 1011 E. 22nd St., 921-2121, indyhabitat.org
Wrap Sheets
Reduce waste by wrapping gifts in paper that’s too pretty to toss. Fair-trade retailer Global Gifts stocks rapidly renewable jute wrapping paper. Each sheet—in a starstruck design ($3.50 for a 27”x18” piece) or accented with bits of Bengali newspaper ($3.50 for a 32”x22” sheet)—is individually crafted by women at a Bangladesh art cooperative. 1468 W. 86th St., 879-9090; 446 Massachusetts Ave., 423-3148; globalgiftsindy.com