Resources

Below are helpful tools & searches that will help you live a greener lifestyle in your home. If you know of a good resource that is not listed here, send it over and we will publish it.

Recycling & Precycling
What to recycle What to do with not-so-common household items.
Recycling Center Search Find local places that will recycle specific items
Phone Book Opt-Out Yellow Pages
Gazelle reCommerce service to sell and recycle your used electronics
eCycling Central  electronics recycling database and info
Call2Recycle Drop off locations for batteries

Reclaimed Building Materials
Chestnut Specialists Remilled antique flooring
Chestnut Woodworking & Antique Flooring Recycled barn wood
Lilian August S Norwalk warehouse source for old & less expensive accent pieces
Old Wood Workshop Antique wood, stone & iron
United House Wrecking One-of-a-kind antiques & architectural salvage

Product & Company Reviews
Consumer Reports Product Comparison Compares products, labels, chemicals & more
Electronic Companies Report Card Grades according to take-back & recycling programs.

Money Savings
Tax credit eligible products Product Search at Home Depot
Rebate Finder Energy Star Products
ENERGY STAR Tax Credits
Energy Incentives – CT Savings for renewable energy
Appliance Rebates Dept of Energy approved by state

Misc.
Walk Score Find out how walkable a home is
How Green is Your Town? Find local initiatives & businesses
Green email footer to encourage readers of your email not to print

Home Improvements
Sustainable cabinetry Find KCMA certified manufacturers using low-formaldehyde emitting wood
Sustainable furniture & wood Local places that are Forest Stewardship Council Certified

Health
Radon Info Nat’l resource page for testing kits, remediation & a hotline
Pollution Report In-depth info by county covering air, water, chemicals +
Household Products Guide What’s in products, potential health effects, safety & handling.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Which facilities in your area emit the most
Glossary of hazardous products in the household, what they are and how to handle

Green Cleaning
Toxin Guide Explains ingredients in common products
Household Products Guide What’s in products, potential health effects, safety & handling.

Garden

Organic Land Care Search for pros accredited in organic land care
Soil testing Free pH testing for healthier & more vigorous plants by UCONN Soil Nutrient Lab

Food
Local Farms Find farms, CSAs, groceries, farmers markets, etc.
Local Farms/Meat & Dairy Find local source for grass-fed meat and dairy products
Eat Well Guide/Stores & Restaurants Find local, sustainable & organic food by zip code

Energy
RESNET Search for Certified Energy Auditors, Raters, & Building Pros
Insulation Advisor by Region ENERGY STAR recommended levels
Insulation Advisor by Room Suggests Rvalue you need per room per region
Home Energy Advisor Get customized recommendations for your home
ENERGY STAR Product Search
ENERGY STAR Building Raters
Energy Audit tool web based by HES

Cars
Green Vehicle Guide Find the most efficient vehicle for your needs

Calculators
Water Footprint Assess you household usage
Insulation tells you the most economic insulation level for your home
Energy Use Assess your homes energy use
Carbon foot print How much CO₂ & other greenhouse gases do you generate annually?
Air Conditioning Calculates how big a unit you need based on your needs

Building
CT Green Building Council Find Local Green Certified Professionals
US Green Building Council Info on LEED Certification +
National Association of Home Builders Search for Certified Green Pros + info
Builders Find ENERGY STAR Builders by State

Babies
Healthy Baby Care Suggests less toxic products

Ask Questions & Get Answers
Ask a Green Pro Green Home Guide will answer
Ask an Expert 1st choose a category, then hit the ‘ask a question’ button, an advisor with expertise in your category will respond