Local Sustainability Champions
Meet Cassandra…
My husband and I have spent the last year building a strawbale, passive solar, net zero energy home – and doing so as sustainably as possible. One of the key elements in our project has been construction with as much used or repurposed materials as possible. I estimate that so far approximately 60 to 70% of the house materials have been found on Craigslist and from second-hand stores such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Rebuilding Center in Portland.
A few examples of used materials we have incorporated so far are: hardi plank, cedar plywood, and metal siding, half of the windows, a portion of the building lumber, all flooring and roofing plywood, all trex decking, all but one of the interior and exterior doors, sinks, faucets, trim, and flooring. Designing our home around the materials we find has been a key factor in our success. Our new house is looking great, and we’re building it in a way that’s helping us save money AND minimize our impact on the planet.
Celebrate more individual actions from our local sustainability champs.
