The messy truth of renovating: Sustainable considerations for your bathroom makeover

Renovating your home is an exciting endeavour, but it often comes with a messy reality. While transforming your space can feel rewarding, it’s important to consider the environmental cost of the process. In New Zealand, the construction sector is responsible for a staggering 50% of the waste that ends up in landfills.

As you tear down walls, rip up old flooring, and throw out unwanted materials, it’s easy to mindlessly toss everything into a skip bin without questioning its fate. But is all that "rubbish" truly waste, or are there ways we can reduce, reuse, and recycle? Incorporating sustainable practices into your bathroom renovation not only benefits the environment but can also save you money in the long run. Here’s how you can transform your bathroom into an eco-friendly oasis with thoughtful, sustainable upgrades to help you make your next home makeover both beautiful and more eco-friendly.

1. Invest in Quality Products

Investing in high-quality bathroom ware may seem like a larger upfront expense, but it is a sustainable choice in the long run. Quality fixtures, such as durable faucets, showers, and cabinetry, are designed to last much longer than their cheaper box-store counterparts. By choosing well-made products, you're not only enhancing the overall aesthetic and functionality of your bathroom but also reducing the need for frequent replacements.

By investing in quality products upfront, it decreases the amount of waste generated from discarded, worn-out items, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. Choosing longevity over cheap alternatives is a smart investment that benefits both your home and the planet. So, while the initial cost may be higher, the long-term benefits – for both your wallet and the environment - make it a smart, sustainable choice for your bathroom renovation.

At Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom we only carry trusted, quality suppliers so when you shop with us you know that you are going to receive a quality product no matter what you purchase from us.

2. Minimise Waste During the Renovation

Waste is an inevitable part of any renovation, but with a little planning, you can reduce the environmental impact.

• Donate: Before starting your renovation, consider donating any old fixtures or furniture that can be reused. If you are replacing a bathtub, sink, or cabinets, see if they can be salvaged or given a second life. Many charity shops and salvage stores accept donations of gently used bathroom items or you could even put it up on Trade Me as a dollar reserve.
• Dispose of Materials Responsibly: Work with a contractor who prioritises recycling and responsible disposal. Many contractors offer recycling services for materials like tiles, glass, and metal, reducing your renovation's overall waste impact. Green Gorilla is a waste solutions company that specialises in minimising landfill waste while maximising recovery and recycling for the construction industry. If you are interested in learning more about them, click here: Green Gorilla | Auckland Recycling & Waste Solutions
• Recycle and Reuse: Minimise waste during your renovation by repurposing materials you’ve already removed from your home. Here is some ‘rubbish’ that can be reused in your home’s makeover:
  • Scrappy pieces of wood or skirting board: Can be put into a chipper and turned into mulch for the garden.
  • Plaster board: the inner core of plaster board is called gypsum. When it is separated from the paper it can be used in the garden to improve soil.
  • Concrete: Can be crushed or ground up and re-used in your renovation as hard fill.
  • Re-using materials: Consider reusing items such as old fixtures, flooring, or cabinetry to reduce the environmental impact of your project. This is also a cost saver! Longer pieces of wood and left over paint can also be given a second life with a little bit of planning.
  • Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp: In his latest YouTube series, “I’ve been thinking…” Wolfkamp further discusses what materials you can re-use in your renovation to reduce your waste. You can check out the video here: I've Been Thinking: Resource Recovery - Waste

3. Maintain Your New Bathroom

• Cleaning products: Don’t forget about sustainability after your renovation is complete. Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can harm the environment. These cleaning agents can also do more harm than good for your bathroom ware product. Most suppliers suggest using a microfiber cloth and warm water only to clean their tapware, and a small amount of diluted dishwashing liquid if absolutely necessary. Another example is leaving toilet cleaner/bleach in the toilet pan for long periods of time, this can actually cause the coating of the porcelain to weaken overtime. Using the correct cleaning products can elongate the life of your bathroom ware products, the longer life the product gets, the less that goes into the landfill.
• Maintenance Guides: All products we sell come with a guide on how to correctly care for your products, make sure to follow this to elongate the life of your bathroom ware. If you have lost your guide, don’t worry! Check the brand of your product and they will have general maintenance guide on their website.

Renovating your bathroom doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. By making thoughtful choices - investing in quality products, minimising waste during the renovation, and maintaining your new bathroom correctly - you can create a stylish, functional space that stands the test of time while reducing your environmental impact.

At Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom, we’re committed to helping you find durable, high-quality products that align with your vision while promoting sustainability. Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation or a simple refresh, we’re here to provide expert advice and trusted products to help you make your bathroom makeover as eco-friendly as possible.