Approved by Subject Editors on August 11, 2004

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (depending on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Glass tiles, whether conventional or green, release no emissions into the indoor environment, and their hard surfaces allow them to be thoroughly cleaned with ease. These products are among the best-tolerated by people with chemical sensitivities or chronic respiratory ailments.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on July 06, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been reduced because they contain recycled glass (the percentage depends on color). However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced by the use of recycled wastes. Oceanside Glasstile uses more than 600 tons of recycled glass annually, manufacturing a wide range of tile with post-consumer recycled bottle content ranging from 25% to 85% by volume, while certain specialty colors consist of 100% post-industrial recycled glass.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 26, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Corey Freed

Made from recycled paper and recycled plastic resin, PaperStone composite countertops have a warm, neutral and unique look. Many people compare it to soapstone. It is made in Seattle. PaperStone does not support the growth of mold or bacteria. It does not offgass any VOC's but does contain a small amount of formaldehyde as a binder. PaperStone is NSF Certified and is rated as healthy for commercial kitchens. PaperStone is highly stain resistant, but prone to cutting. Since it is a solid material, these cuts can be sanded out to reveal the same color.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 14, 2004

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

This company is taking the highest end design down a more ecological path, and not hiding about it. They are using FSC certified woods, vegetable tanned leathers, and high-class naturally died fabrics from natural fibers. Everything they are doing is carefully outlined on their website. I can't imagine more benign products.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd

This reclaimed wood flooring is remilled from tight-grained, old-growth lumber taken from deconstructed buildings, salvaged from waterways or urban areas, or cut from standing dead or wind-fallen trees. It benefits the environment because it offers the beauty and function of wood while still leaving forests intact--as well as the soil protection, oxygen and habitat they provide.

They also make a point not to salvage wood from buildings that have historical relevance. This preserves our human heritage.

These woods are some of the most natural and nontoxic woods available. Since much of the wood was cut decades ago, it is well-weathered and will not add anything but beauty to indoor air quality.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd

AFM was one one of the first to make less-toxic products. To make low-toxic products is their intent, not a sideline. So the benefit here is that it is one of the least toxic flooring adhesives you can buy.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 09, 2005

The Subject Editor review of this product is in process. Please check back.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Miriam Landman

AFM's manufacturing plant is in Los Angeles, which is relatively close to the Bay Area (compared to many other paint manufacturers), so this reduces the transportation distance to ship it to our region. AFM also strives to minimize the lifecycle impacts of its manufacturing process, and simply by virtue of using less toxic ingredients, its products are more ecological (in terms of manufacturing inputs and releases): better for public health, as well as occupant health.

AFM's paints and finishes were formulated for chemically sensitive people. They are not only very low-odor and low-VOC (zero-VOC options are also available) but are also free of other toxic ingredients and they are made to cure in a way that seals in offgassing. AFM's products may be the most healthful in the marketplace. They do not currently have any third-party certification of their low-VOC claims. However, it should be noted that third-party certification is expensive, so small companies like this one are rarely able to pay to have their products go through the certification process. AFM feels that their products have gone far beyond the Green Seal certification standards. Green Seal standards mostly cover governmentally 'regulated VOCs,' which were originally regulated for their photochemically reactive contribution to smog, not their effects on indoor air quality. Some of the regulated VOCs are fairly benign for indoor use, while there are a number of non-regulated VOCs (and other ingredients used in conventional paints) that are highly toxic.