Avest Green Practices

To paraphrase the song sung by Kermit the Frog in "The Muppets Movie", "it's easy being green". Avest incorporates environmentally sound practices into our standard activities. For example,

• We use low VOC paints and stains as a matter of course. We were recently asked to paint a children's bedroom. The client requested a particular brand of paint that they felt was low VOC. After some investigation and seeing the Material Safety Data Sheets we provided for both products, the client chose our recommended brand of paint because it was lower in VOC than theirs and because the ingredients in our preferred brand were more benign.
• We use water-based paints except when circumstances dictate otherwise.
• We use and recommend high quality materials so they'll last longer.
• We prefer environmentally friendly glues, caulks, etc.
• We purchase just enough materials to avoid waste.
• Whenever it makes sense, we favor repairing, rather than replacing, particularly in old houses.
• We provide you with the option of using FSC-certifed lumber.
• We donate leftover materials to the Boston Building Resources or give replaced items a new home through Freecycle. We recently replaced a casement window whose hinge mechanisms were damaged beyond repair; we found a new use, through Freecycle, for the old window as a garage window that didn't need to be opened!
• We offer energy saving suggestions and do-it-yourself instructions to the public on our web site, including our winterizing your home instructions.
• We always recycle project waste (e.g. paper, plastic packaging, cardboard, metal).
• When feasible, we reuse materials (e.g. window sash weights).
• We continually learn about the latest green building and home repair practices. For example, we recently completed the Green Home Maintenance and Remodeling course at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, spent an afternoon at NEXUS, the green building resource center, took several workshops offered by the Boston Building Resources, attended Boston Build to learn about new green products and suppliers, and attended The Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference to learn about renovating and restoring historic buildings.

Many of these practices just make sense, as well as providing a safer environment for you to live in, and for us to work in.

If you have any concerns or ideas, we'd be pleased to explore those with you!