b'pictures: Simon Devittand when paintingDont forget to look after the air quality in your home. The question is, what should you be thinking about when it comes to yourChoose Environmental Choice-approved paintslook next round of renovations, if youre interested in helping out the environment?for the tick on the top of Resene paint cans.Among the many answers, we could list recycling, sustainability and rubbishWork out exactly how much paint you need for the disposalwhenitcomestoactuallyknockingthingsdownandrebuilding.jobyour local Resene ColorShop can help you with However, there are also issues such as energy-efficiency that you might considerthis. If you do have a little left over, use it upapply in the process too. another coat or paint the dog kennel. If you really In planning your renovation, think about insulating ceilings, walls and woodenover-estimated, save it in the original can, tightly floors to keep the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Considersealed and stored out of the reach of children. If you double-glazing your windows or triple-glazing them if youre in the lower half ofabsolutely cant use it, donate it to a local school or the South Island, to minimise heat loss. Shade northern and western windowscommunity group.from the sun to prevent the house from overheating in the summer, and useAlternatively,waterbornepaintsintheirtinscan thermal-backed drapes to keep the warmth in and the cold out at night.be left to dry completely by removing the lid. Most Remember, too, that the use of masonry and concrete where appropriate will stopcouncils will allow empty paint containers like this your home from getting too warm through the day, and will give back that heatto be disposed of in the weekly kerbside recycling after the sun goes down. Stone or concrete are also great for around fireplaces,programmejust leave the lid off so the refuse where they absorb warmth and then release it after the fire has died out. collectors can see the paint is dry. In terms of electricity use, dense wool or underlay-backed rugs on concreteSolventbornepaints(alkyd-oroil-based)require and wooden floors will help with warmth underfoot. If youre buying newspecial treatment. They are hazardous and should be appliances as part of the project, look for their energy rating and choose modelsdisposed of with carenever pour them down storm that use less power and water. Install a solar water-heating system and heatdrains, the household sink, or on the ground. You your water for free, or investigate continuous-flow water heating, which warmscan contact your local council or Resene ColorShop only the water you use, rather than the whole cylinder. Choose low-flow tapsfor advice, orif youre in Aucklandlook up the and shower fittings in the bathroom to conserve water, and put a timer on yourAuckland Regional Council HazMobile, a collection electric towel rail, so it is only on for a limited period each day. Then, sit back andservice for household hazardous waste. see how much you save on your power bill! TheHazMobilesetsupshopinpubliccarparks Once you reach the demolition stage, think about how much of your renovatingin Auckland about 15 times a year to receive un-rubbish can actually be recycled. For example, look at how you can re-use anywantedhazardouswaste.Itwillacceptanything doors and windows, rather than buying new. And rather than taking to thefrom the home, garden, or garage that is potentially kitchen cabinets with an axe and tossing them straight into the skip, try sellingdangeroussubstancesthatareexplosive,flam-them first: trademe.co.nz and your local paper are good places to start. Notmable, corrosive, chemically reactive, toxic and eco-only will you be helping someone else out, but youll reduce the burden ontoxic. To find out when your next HazMobile day is, the environment and might be able to top up that decorating budget by a fewphone the ARC Enviroline on 0800 80 60 40 or visit dollars at the same time.www.hazmobile.govt.nz.By the same token, old wood should be taken to your local recycling centre,Solventssuchaspaintthinners,turpentineand rather than to the tip. That includes everything from 4 x 2s to tree prunings.mineral spirits should also never be poured down When it comes to replacing that framing, the choice of plantation-grown timber,the drain. They have an unlimited shelf-life, so keep whether its local or imported, will help protect our native forest ecosystems. them for next time.And all this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many magazines and a wholeFor more ideas on environmentally aware painting, host of websites at your fingertips to provide hints and guidance for your greencheck out www.resene.co.nz/paintwise.htm.renovating project.| 41'