I don’t know about you but I happen to judge an office building or an establishment, say a restaurant, according to its bathrooms. I don’t care much for the façade or the adorable pocket garden, not even the plush sofa at the lobby. What I really, really am interested in is the state of the bathrooms (then again this could be because I’m always fascinated with what’s tucked inside and away from sight).
More than just lovely, bathrooms should be eco-friendly too. Photo credit: righttree.com
So I like my bathrooms clean and immaculate and, well… sleek-modern. And hey, eco-friendly too. It can’t hurt to have eco-friendly bathrooms. After all, bathrooms are notorious water-spenders. About a quarter of a building’s water usage is devoted to bathrooms—think of all that flushing and maintenance. Thankfully, most green buildings are aware that embracing some simple water-saving technologies and other green features will not only be good for the environment, but for the savings as well.
Of course, those eco-friendly features are always welcome in our own homes. Let’s take a look at some of the ways green buildings make their eco-friendly bathrooms a little greener than most.
1. Dual-flush toilet. Two dedicated buttons for flushing makes sense because you really shouldn’t be using that much water to flush piss. Dual-flush toilets might be expensive than regular toilets but in the long run the water savings pay for itself. If anything, a dual-flush toilet is one of the first things you should consider for your bathroom renovation.
2. Waterless urinal. Even if there’s only one man in the house (or at most two), it still makes sense to install a waterless urinal—also, the ladies will appreciate not having to share the bowl with them. First, a short explanation of waterless urinals because most guys probably have no clue as to how they work (even I had no idea until I did some googling for this article). Apparently, waterless urinals work because of two simple principles in physics: gravity and specific gravity. The first principle is responsible for the urine going down the drain (obviously), while the second—the oil-like liquid sealant being lighter than urine—traps the urine and its vapors. It’s plain silly to be flushing urine with perfectly clean water, so the waterless urinal comes to rescue. Every eco-friendly bathroom should have one.
Not just for athletes, but everyone: low-flow shower heads.
3. Water-saving shower head. For office buildings that have showers, you can be sure they’re using the low-flow kind. It’s easy to get tempted by those sleek, polished metal shower heads, but ask your hardware how it stacks up in the water-saving department.
4. Low-VOC Paint. Low-VOC water-based latex paints aren’t just lovely on the walls, they’re good for your health too. They don’t emit noxious vapors like regular paints which stealthily poison the air over the years. Look for quality paints that are mildew-proof.
5. Fan. Installing this low-tech feature helps dispel those nasty molds and mildew which can be serious health concerns. Mildew thrives in a moist environment, and a fan (make it a low-energy one for an even more eco-friendly bathroom)—a fan dries the air out and ventilates the room with a fresh supply. No need for chemical fresheners and deodorizers.
6. Non-toxic cleaners. We really don’t need a cocktail of chemicals just to keep our bathroom shiny and fresh and germ-free. Shop around and get hold of non-toxic cleaners from any reputable eco shop: they’re just as effective too, and you won’t have to worry about inhaling chemical fumes of lacing our water system with it. Some LEED buildings have made the switch to non-toxic cleaners for their eco-friendly bathrooms, and you can be sure the cleaning staff appreciates that.
7. Toilet Paper. If you still haven’t made the switch, it’s time to choose post-consumer recycled toilet paper. Everyone’s continued purchase will urge manufacturers to make their toilet papers and tissues more forest-friendly. Click here for a detailed guide on the good tissues/toilet paper you should be using for your eco-friendly bathroom.
8. LED or CCFL Lights. Either way, you reap the benefits of savings in your electric bill.
Whatever makeover you do, plan your renovations with as little carbon footprint as possible. And of course, do things a little differently too: turn off the lights when not using, turn off the tap while you’re brushing (lots of people forget this!), and limit your time in the shower. Have some other tips for making your eco-friendly bathroom greener?
