There’s a paver out there, the Vast Paver, that’s been showing up on HGTV, the Today Show, and Renovation Nation.  It’s probably because the composite paver is made from roughly 90-95% recycled scrap tire rubber and plastics — every 1,000 square-feet of pavers saves 500 tires and 15,000 plastic containers from landfills!  These durable pavers work in a number of situations, including for low-volume traffic, driveways, walkways, rooftops, decks, and patios.  Colors include redwood, boardwalk, village, waterwheel, polo, and olive (below).

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If you're searching for something new — maybe as a back splash, wall accent, or decorative element — give Slate-ish a look.  Slate-ish tiles come in seven colors and are made from reclaimed scrap from the fabrication of Richlite and PaperStone countertops.  This is 100% post-industrial waste paper laminate cut into strips, squares, bars, and cubes.  Slate-ish tiles are light, non-porous, and provide an interesting alternative to stone applications. 

5-6-09 Update: Slate-ish tells us most tiles are under $20 psf loose, with a range of $15-40 psf.  Backed tiles on pre-mounted panels run about $20 psf extra.  Read more about Slate-ish …

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Cosentino, the world’s largest maker of quartz, has just launched an eco-friendly countertop called ECO by Cosentino.  The new countertop is the embodiment of six million dollars of research over a three year period.  It’s available nationally through Lowe’s at a price of $68-$118, depending on thickness and color.  ECO contains 75% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled raw materials and 25% natural elements.

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I just love this grain silo home — it's a fantastic example of adaptive reuse.  In 2007, Gruene Homestead Inn purchased the 1940s grain silo and remodeled the interior and exterior.  The result is authentic and incredible.  Can you imagine chilling on that front porch, enjoying a little Texas summer?  The Silo includes one bedroom and one bathroom in a loft-type setup for the rental price of $175/$210 a night. 

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Recently, we mentioned reclaimed cardboard art, the kind of stuff that's perfect for your green boardroom, but here's another neat idea, this time from Studio Crank.  It's also a comically ironic idea: a waste paper basket made of 100% recycled cardboard.  It's called the "Chuck" Waste Paper Basket based on the notion that tons of reusable materials are typically chucked into landfills. 

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