Can I do up my house in an environmentally responsible way?

Yes, green DIY is easy and effective.

• Repair or re-use. See Salvo for information on reclaimed and salvaged material.
  
• Most large stores stock Forest Stewardship Council certified products - where the wood is from a managed source.
  
• Household paints can give off dangerous fumes as they dry. Try water-based paints which contain fewer volatile organic compounds.
  
• Some furnishing materials are made from recycled sources - see the Buy Recycled list.

The books listed below will help you with ideas and solutions for greening your DIY activities — all available from our publications section:

• The Green Building Bible
• The Energy Saving House
• Good Wood Guide
• Don't throw it all away
• Save Cash Save the Planet

For further ideas and information, please see:

• Our 'Living' web site
• George Marshall's energy efficiency project
• The Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) for a list of alternative products.

Why not find out if second-hand shops, charities or friends can take any unwanted materials.

Green DIY should introduce you to plenty of new and resourceful ways of making changes in your home.

Discuss "Can I do up my house in an environmentally responsible way?" in our forum