Sustainable home improvement projects should take a few things into consideration.

1. Energy efficiency. Most of the energy used in our homes is for heating and cooling, and to decrease consumption and costs, we should make sure energy efficient products and practices are in place. Examples are having proper insulation and energy efficient windows and doors.
2. Indoor air quality. Any home project has the potential to negatively affect the air quality in our homes. Learn more about indoor air pollution and how to avoid it here.
3. Use sustainable materials where possible. Examples are using FSC-certified or reclaimed wood for construction projects, or using recycled materials.

Carpet

How to recycle carpet in SLC

Unfortunately, carpet cannot be recycled. Carpet pads, however, can be dropped off for recycling at the Salt Lake Valley Landfill. The city’s Call2Haul service will also take them for recycling, as well as pick up carpet for the landfill.

Doors

How to dispose of old doors in SLC

Call2Haul can take any doors for disposal. Take metal doors to a scrap metal recycler.

Insulation

Utah-based eco-friendly insulation companies

There are two companies based in Utah that use recycled materials for home insulation.

Greenfiber makes their Sanctuary cellulose insulation from recycled paper. Their website reports that their manufacturing process uses just one-fifth of the energy to manufacture than that used to make competing insulation products.

Owens Corning operates a plant located in Nephi. They create their fiberglass insulation from glass that is collected by Momentum Recycling. This insulation is Energy Star, UL Greenguard, and SCS Global recycled materials certified.

Paint

Where to dispose of paint in SLC

Dispose at Salt Lake Valley Landfill, or at Murray City’s hazardous waste disposal.

Tools

Each November, Wasatch Community Gardens hosts an annual event called Giving Toolsday, a “BYO garden or kitchen tool ‘walk-in clinic’ for tips and tricks, demonstrations and hands-on tool repair, annual maintenance, restoration, repurposing and swap or donation.”

Where to donate tools in Salt Lake City

Donate unwanted tools to The Other Side Thrift Boutique or the Habitat to Humanity ReStore.

Recycle tools

SLC’s Call2Haul program will take away old mowers and power tools that are drained of gas and oil for recycling. Recycle metal tools at a scrap metal recycler.

Windows

Locally manufactured windows

You can get rebates for replacing windows, insulation, and other weatherization improvements from Dominion Energy. You can also apply for a federal tax credit for these kinds of improvements. Click for information on tax credits and other rebates.

Amsco Windows are Energy Star certified, ensuring they are very energy efficient. According to their website, “We recycle many of the materials used in the manufacturing of our products and go to great lengths to keep the environment clean for future generations. All scrap generated in our production process is recycled and sent back to our supplier where it is used in other products. Glass is sent to a filter manufacturer and all paper/cardboard products are bailed and sent to a paper mill.”

How to recycle windows in Salt Lake City

Momentum Recycling offers free recycling of windows.