By Lee Burnett WHEN CHILTON FURNITURE changed hands four years ago, nearly three quarters of its furniture was being built outside of Maine. Today, more than half the furniture is made in Maine, and the percentage keeps climbing. “It was a very deliberate choice,” said co-owner Jennifer Levin of the decision to shift production to…
Text and Photos by Amy Paradysz STEVE KONSTANTINO, the 55-year-old founder and owner of Portland-based Performance Building Supply, considers himself a bit of a futurist technologies geek. Being ahead of the curve occasionally means he’s moved on to something else before the market catches onto what he’s selling—as was the case with heat pumps in…
Have some household items you are done with but that aren’t yet at the end of their lives? Consignment and thrift shops are a great place to turn to with gently used clothing and accessories, plus some household items. And you can donate many goods to nonprofits like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Preble Street Resource Center…
WE’VE HEARD by now of the dangers of BPA and other toxic chemicals leaching from plastics and into our food—not to mention all that waste that is produced from plastic bags, bottles, packaging and more. Chances are, you’ve taken some steps, such as replacing plastic water bottles with metal or glass, to reduce your use…
By Lynn Ascrizzi If you’re looking for more eco-friendly ways to reduce your use of chemically laden plastics and synthetics in your home—think wool. Today, the renewable virtues of wool’s natural fibers are gaining new devotees among people alarmed by scientific studies that show how plastic-based fibers contaminate our environment. For instance, synthetic fleece jackets…
By Christine Fisher THERE’S A NEW MAINE-MADE BUILDING PRODUCT on the market, and while it began as a way to prove that masonry homes can be energy-efficient, it has found another welcome yet unintended niche: the healthy home market. Based on German design, Comfort Block™ is a 16-inch thick concrete block with three pockets of…
By Heather Chandler THE LED (OR LIGHT emitting diode) bulb is a relatively new entry to the lighting scene, but one that many say has the power to transform the lighting industry with its energy efficient technology. While even just a few years ago, LEDs were unfavorable to some because of the “cool” blueish light…
With the Winter chill in the air, we decided to catch up with Scott Libby, owner of Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport to learn more about heat pumps and how evolving technology can help us efficiently heat our homes. SRG: What is a heat pump and why are they so popular right now? SL:…
It’s hard to keep track sometimes of what can be recycled and where. Curbside and single sort recycling has helped recycling rates considerably. But what about CFL light bulbs, Mercury thermostats, computers and other electronics? The Maine Department of Environmental Protection publishes a searchable map that lists drop off locations statewide for these items and…
We often think of air pollution as being an outside problem. But in fact, indoor air (where people spend most of their time) can be more polluted than the air outside. Radon, lead, mold, carbon monoxide, chemicals, and pests are just some of the things found indoors that may impact your health and potentially damage…