The Finishing Touch

Recycling Blinds

At least once a week, someone emails me asking, “How do I recycle blinds?” Being the Super Sleuth that I am, I decided to take a more in-depth look at our options, because recycling can be complicated if you’re attempting to getting rid of something other than computer paper in an eco-friendly way.

My first attempt at “research” was a Wikipedia search because, as Michael Scott would say, “anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject so you know you are getting the best possible information.” He was wrong in this case; Wikipedia turned up nothing on how to recycle blinds. Not even so much as a placeholder page. Moving on.

My second attempt was a Google search. I came up empty-handed again, but was drawn to one particular link: Ecocycle.org. Upon further investigation, I learned that Ecocycle has an entire section on their website dedicated to educating people on how to recycle hard-to-recycle items. They even have a Boulder-based center for dropping off these items called CHaRM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials). Bad news: I found no information about how to properly recycle blinds here either.

I gave them a call and was connected with Kate, a recycling expert if there ever was one. Kate gave me a lot of helpful information:

1. Aluminum blinds – Aluminum blinds are the easiest to recycle. Recycle miniblinds and aluminum components pretty much anywhere. Call up one of your local scrap metal dealers to have these taken off your hands and make a little money while you do it.
2. Wood blinds – Though wood blinds seem perfectly recyclable, they are not. Most wood blinds are treated with a chemical sealant and various types of paint. Wood recycling is most often turned into mulch for gardens and farms. The chemicals used to treat wood blinds, while safe for the home, are not safe for vegetable-growing. Double check to see what types of chemicals have been used to treat your blinds before you drop them at your local center. If they have not been treated, they can safely be recycled.
3. PVC (fauxwood, verticals) – These are not recyclable.
4. Draperies – Most recycled textiles are turned into industrial rags. This is a great use for your old draperies, should you decide to get rid of them. Contact the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) to find out how to turn your old drapes into something useful for someone else.

While I was sad to learn that some of our most popular products cannot be safely recycled, there are plenty of other safe, smart options for getting rid of your window blinds in a responsible way.

Habitat for Humanity is always in need of home items like blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies. Find out if your city has a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which are outlets that accept donated home goods for resale. The even-better news is that if you do donate or recycle window blinds, then take a picture or video of yourself doing so and send it to us, we’ll give you 10% off your purchase at Blinds.com. If you’re not familiar with Blinds for Clunkers, click the link for more details.

One of hundreds of customer-submitted Blinds for Clunkers photos

And, of course, if you’re trying to make a buck or two, post them on Craigslist or eBay.

If you’d like more information, shoot me an email and I’ll see what else I can dig up.

Home Insulation – How Window Treatments Keep Your Home Warm in the Winter

If you think all you need is a Snuggie to keep you warm in the Winter, you are sorely mistaken. Window treatments are an critical part of home insulation. Home insulation is a topic on everybody’s minds these days, but most people don’t really understand their options. There are plenty of super expensive ways to help keep the heat inside your home (aluminum siding, attic insulation), and you should most likely do those things too, especially if you live in colder climates. But window treatments, believe it or not, do a great job of insulating your home. Certain blinds and shades trap expensive heat in, just as they block solar heat in the summer. Plus, there are some new, exciting, and innovative products on the horizon that you’ll want to know about for even better insulation!

First, take stock of what you already have. A good rule of thumb is that shades, which are made from a single piece of material that can’t tilt open and closed, are better insulators because heating and cooling can’t escape through the slats.

There are a few shades that I highly recommend for home insulation:

1. Blinds.com ComforTrack 3/8” Double Cell Blackout Shade: The ComforTrack products at Blinds.com are approved for federal tax credit, meaning that because they are so energy efficient and help reduce energy spending so much, the government is actually going to give you a refund for putting them in your home. They are Energy Star approved. The system consists of side tracks that attach to your window frame with magnets. They have specially fitted end caps which, along with the notched sides of the shade, minimize energy loss. They are available in Light Filtering too, but the Blackout version will provide total light blockage and privacy when you need it.
2. Blinds.com One Day ¾” Single Cell Blackout Shade: This shade will not only be made for you in record time (one day! seriously.) but the cells are lined with mylar. Mylar is a strong but thin polyester that lines the wall of each cell, creating a real and noticeable barrier between you and the frosty outdoor air. If you’ve ever stood by a window that has no covering on a cold day, you know that air can and will seep in through little cracks. This shade will prevent that from happening.
3. Bali DiamondCell 3/8” Midnight Double Cell Blackout Shade: Another great insulating honeycomb shade from one of my fave brands, Bali. This shade comes in more colors than you can imagine.

Earth Day 2009! Go Green Without Spending a Penny

Today is Earth Day, and there are so many ways to love our planet and your wallet at the same time. If you can’t afford pricey solar panels on the roof of your house this year (who can?), and you're not quite ready to trade in your morning car ride for a morning bike ride to work, why not opt to make some free, easy changes? Show the Earth some love and commit to taking just a few green baby steps.

Going green does not have to be time consuming, and all-encompassing. Without making any major adjustments to your life, you can reduce your carbon footprint immediately. All you need is a little consciousness and dedication. Think of Earth Day as the first day of the rest of your green life. Commit to green habits and greener living. I surveyed the staff here at Blinds.com, and together we compiled a list of the 13 things we do that might help you too. Here’s how:

1. What to do: "Replace your dish and clothing detergent with eco-friendly brands."

Why they help: Okay, I can’t promise that the eco-friendly brands will be the exact same price, but I will promise that by making the switch, you’ll be releasing a lot less toxic, harmful chemical into our water systems. Check out this great review of eco-friendly detergents to help you pick the best one for you.

2. What to do: "Reuse your water bottles."

Q & A: Tom Rodgers, Green Team Leader at Springs Window Fashions

If you knew there was an easy, inexpensive way to shrink your carbon footprint, would you do it? That’s what Springs Window Fashions, makers of Bali and Graber blinds and shades, is helping customers do with window treatments. Tom Rodgers heads up the Green Team at SWF. Kind of sounds like the Superfriends of green living, doesn’t it? But that’s really what they call themselves; they’re a team of managers workings towards real solutions for everything from cleaner, more efficient manufacturing to helping their outside sales representatives use less fuel. SWF’s Green by Nature campaign focuses on continual examination and upgrades to eco-manufacturing practices, surpassing government standards of eco-building every year, and providing affordable, eco-friendly products to consumers.  

After reading about all of the great things SWF is doing to help the environment, I had to find out the intimate details from the man himself, Tom Rodgers. I hope you’ll find what he had to say as remarkable as I did.  

Trending Towards Solar Shades in 2009, Sunglasses for your Windows

Get this: Solar Shades increased in popularity nearly 63% from 2007 to 2008. Why is this small category experiencing rapid growth? Because they do a fantastic job of blocking solar heat – energy savings, woohoo! The room will literally cool down the instant you hang the shade. They are one of the best and most popular options for reducing glare on your flat screen television and computer monitor (which is why Starbucks uses them), and they protect your furniture, carpet, and paint from fading in the sun. They’re one of the only modern/contemporary products that accomplishes all of these things… without breaking the bank.

Trending Towards Natural and Organic Wood Window Treatments in 2009

Since the Green Craze began, one of the noticeable effects on interior design has been the stylization of unfinished wood. In the 90’s and early 00’s, you’d scarcely find unfinished wood furniture or furniture with noticeable imperfections. The rise in popularity of wood blinds, under-processed or not completely sanded, began a few years ago, and is now more prevalent than ever. This return to the organic marks the reemergence of wood as a working, sustainable material that can be reused easily and displayed beautifully in spite of flaws. This reemergence is a commentary on the very idea of conventional beauty. As we begin to move towards more accepting and open ways of thinking, we embrace new views of beauty, whether they are found in other people or in the ways they decorate their lives.

 

Draperies, Rods and Finials: Getting Started with Drapery Hardware

You’ve picked out the perfect chairs, paired them with the beautiful rug from Flokati you’ve been eyeing, and painted your walls the most delectable shade crème brulee. You even splurged for those gorgeous end tables by Anthony Marschak of Modern Bamboo. And now it’s time to finish off that room!

Decorating Commandment #9: I will always adorn my windows with draperies, rods, and finials.

If draperies do for windows what a great haircut does for your face, then the perfect rods and finials are like earrings for your room; they can be understated and still make a statement. Draperies and drapery accessories are a major source of confusion for even the most skilled designer, so fear not, ambitious home decorator. Ever seen your neighbor’s “interesting” shower curtain-looking draperies hanging from what might be PVC pipe? Yeah. Don’t let that be you.

Q & A: How can I cut energy costs?

Q:  I am really trying to cut my utilities.  What blinds can help me save on my energy costs? Linda, Savannah, Georgia

A: Linda, with electricity prices higher than ever, saving money on heating and cooling is on everyone’s mind. In an average home, windows account for nearly 50 percent of heat gain or loss, depending on the season. The other 50 percent of the workload is placed on your air-conditioning system or heating system. By controlling how the sun’s energy enters your home, you can save on summer energy bills and take advantage of the sun’s heat in winter.

Double and triple cell honeycomb shades trap air within the cells, creating a cushion of heat in the winter, and cool air in the summer, which we can especially appreciate in the South.  Need help installing your cell shades?  Watch this Cell Shade Installation video.

If you prefer a more formal or traditional look, plantation shutters are beautiful and great insulators. Try either of these and you’ll immediately notice a big difference in your energy bill and comfort level this summer. Need help installing your plantation shutters?  Watch this step-by-step shutter installation video now.

Read some more expert advice on Energy Saving Window Treatments from Debbie Allmon, Kansas City Remodeling Decorating Guru.

If you need help finding the perfect window treatment or solving another decorating dilemna, write me at jzachary@blinds.com.

Is your design focus Eco-friendly?

Do the following statements describe you?

A normal night of entertaining is: Hosting a fundraiser to offset climate change.  You grazed on spring rolls made with locally grown vegetables.

My signature scent:  "Fresh out of the shower clean"

You know you are Eco-Friendly when: The solar-powered backpack charges your cell, ipod and gadgets.

Your Style Icons: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman

Your Dream House: A completely sustainable straw bale dwelling in Chama, New Mexico

Sound like you? Chances are you have already begun to make your dwelling more eco-friendly.  Continue the trend by purchasing window coverings like  Bali solar shades that will dramatically decrease your energy bills.