Natural Linoleum
Made from linseed oil, tree resin, cork, sawdust and limestone, with jute or hemp backing, natural linoleum is biodegradable and antimicrobial.
Armstrong: (800) 233-3823
Forbo: (866) 627-6653
Eco-Friendly Flooring: (866) 250-3273
Hendricksen Natürlich Flooring: (707) 829-3959
Natural Cleaners
Eco-friendly cleaning products are free of polluting, toxic chemicals.
Earth Friendly Products: (800) 335-3267
Ecover: (800) 449-4925
Howard Naturals: (800) 266-9545
Laundry Dropps: (800) 355-9274
Lucky Earth: (310) 215-3133
Mother Natural: (973) 696-7575
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day: (877) 865-1508
Planet Inc.: (800) 858-8449
Seventh Generation: (800) 456-1191
LED Lights
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) last longer than most types of lighting on the market—up to 22 years—and are available in a wide variety of light colors.
C. Crane Company: (800) 522-8863
Kichler Lighting: (866) 558-5706
Progress Lighting: (864) 678-1000
Real Goods: (800) 340-5846
Natural Mattresses
Mattresses made from wool, organic cotton or natural latex don’t contain polyurethane, flame-retardant chemicals or polyester.
Cozy Pure: (800) 229-7571
Earthsake: (877) 268-1026
Foam Source: (800) 255-0181
Lifekind: (800) 284-4983
Natural Bed Store: (800) 235-3433
Nature’s Rest: (866) 338-1447
Savvy Rest: (866) 856-4044
Shepherd’s Dream: (800) 966-5540
Front-Loading Washers
Front-loading washing machines use less water, which means they require less energy each cycle.
Asko: (800) 898-1879
Bosch: (800) 944-2904
Clay Plaster
Clay plasters are 100 percent natural and nontoxic. They come in a variety of colors and can be applied to any textured surface.
American Clay: (866) 404-1634
BioShield Natural Paints: (800) 621-2591
Vital Systems: (888) 859-6336
FSC-Certified Wood
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, nonprofit organization with a strict certification process. FSC-certified wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
The Collins Companies: (800) 329-1219
EarthSource Forest Products: (800) 675-7257
Pelican Teak Products: (904) 859-9005
Recycled Paper Surfaces
Countertops made from recycled paper and post-consumer waste are surprisingly durable and beautiful.
EcoTop Surfaces: (253) 507-4622
Paperstone: (360) 538-9815
Shetkastone: (507) 357-4177
Low- and No-VOC Paints, Stains and Finishes
Low-VOC means little to no volatile organic compounds—harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory issues and chronic illnesses.
AFM Safecoat: (619) 239-0321
Mythic: (888) 714-9422
Olympic: (800) 441-9695
Low-E Windows
Low-emissivity windows are coated with thin, transparent layers of metallic oxide that block summer heat, hold in winter warmth and reflect ultraviolet rays.
Andersen: (800) 426-4261
Jeld-Wen: (800) 535-3936
Marvin: (888) 537-7828
Pella: (800) 374-4758
Pollard: (800) 846-4746
Hemp Fabric
Hemp grows quickly, is resistant to most pests and diseases, and requires no pesticides to grow. Hemp fabric is durable and feels like linen.
Ecolution: (719) 989-8079
Hemp Traders: (310) 637-3333
Live Textiles: (425) 953-4808
O Ecotextiles: (206) 633-1177
Structural Insulated Panels
Premade oriented strand board panels with foam sandwiched between them, SIPs reduce the energy required to erect a structure and create extremely efficient homes.
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Recycled Cotton and Cellulose Insulation
Recycled cotton insulation is made from denim scraps. The majority of cellulose insulation is post-consumer recycled newsprint and cardboard.
Cell Pak: (256) 260-2151
InsulTechnologies: (865) 560-1018
GreenFiber Cellulose Insulation: (800) 228-0024
Programmable “Smart” Thermostats
Setting your thermostat to automatically adjust according to your daily schedule can save up to $180 a year in energy bills.
Honeywell: (800) 328-5111
Robertshaw Programmable Thermostats: (800) 304-6563
White-Rodgers: (314) 553-3600
Recycled Glass Terrazzo & Tiles
Recycled glass surfaces and tiles encourage reuse, and recycled glass tile is durable and moisture-resistant.
IceStone: (718) 624-4900
Modwalls: (877) 439-9734
Oceanside Glasstile: (760) 929-4000
Fiberboards
Made of fibers from wheat, sorghum and sunflower plants, compressed and sealed together with an adhesive, fiberboards have no urea-formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals.
Columbia Forest Products: (800) 237-2428
Kirei: (619) 236-9924
Roseburg Forest Products: (800) 245-1115
Dual-Flush Toilets
Dual-flush toilets offer two flushing options: one with less water for liquid waste and one with more water for solid waste.
Caroma: (800) 605-4218
Gerber: (866) 538-5536
Toto: (888) 295-8134
Tankless and Solar Water Heaters
Instead of keeping a large supply of hot water, tankless heaters heat on demand. Solar versions pay for themselves in four to eight years.
Bosch tankless water heater: (800) 503-5028
Bradford White: (800) 523-2931
Heliodyne (solar): (888) 878-8750
Rheem: (866) 720-2076
Rinnai: (800) 621-9419
Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets
On average, low-flow faucets use 30 percent less water than standard faucets. When shopping, look for the EPA’s WaterSense label.
Evolve: (480) 496-2294
Moen: (800) 289-6636
Price Pfister: (800) 732-8238
Real Goods: (800) 340-5846