15 ways to become an earth-friendly woodworker

How to do your part in the shop, one step at a time

By Steve Maxwell

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9. Until recently, buying replacement batteries from tool manufacturers has been almost as expensive as the cost of the entire tool. Now, a Canadian outfit–BatteryBuyer.com–manufactures brand new, cordless tool batteries at lower prices than original equipment batteries. When it comes time to get rid of batteries, always dispose of them in an appropriate waste stream. Visit www.rbrc.com to find a safe drop-off location close to you.

10. Make better use of low-grade lumber: It’s not so much that we’re running out of trees; large trees are getting scarce. You can significantly improve the grade of lumber that you use in your projects by carefully rough-cutting early on. By cutting out knots and wonky grain selectively as you cross cut components, you’ll enjoy substantially better projects without using lumber from rare, old-growth forests.

11. Buy online: Having goods shipped in usually involves a delivery charge, but if you do the math you’ll find it’s typically a very good deal. Add up the cost of gas, wear and tear on your vehicle and time, and you’ll see what I mean.

12. Keep a workshop shopping list and inventory faithfully: Twenty-five years ago, I began keeping a notepad with me at all times. Ten years ago, a Palm Pilot in a hard, sawdust-proof case replaced that. I can’t even begin to count the time saved, gas not burnt and ideas captured because of this strategy. Whenever you realize you need something (or get a fantastic notion), jot it down. Also, keep an inventory of screws, glue, hardware, dowels and other workshop supplies on hand. This small discipline makes each workshop shopping trip count and saves you from time- and energy-wasting trips such as a run to the store for $3 worth of #6 x 1 1/4″-long wood screws that you should have had on hand.

13. Build things to last: The world is full of manufactured junk. The last thing we need is for more of it to be produced in home workshops. When you sit down to build a project, make a decision to create something that will last physically and be appreciated for its beauty. A properly crafted table, dresser, bed or end table can easily last a century, displacing the need to manufacture three or four or five cheap, cookie-cutter alternatives, preventing the trees cut, energy consumed and trash heaps enlarged because of them.

14. Return wood waste to the soil: Most types of sawdust and shavings make excellent garden mulch. (However, do not use shavings from pressure-treated wood, walnut or tropical woods.) Wherever I spread my wood waste regularly, there are massive earthworms pulling it down happily to enrich the soil.

15. Embrace lots of little things: Getting greener is about enacting a handful of seemingly small changes in the same direction. There’s no big fix, so stay positive–because all your efforts add up.


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