While a number of eco-friendly flooring solutions focus on the efficient production of new flooring materials with minimal damage to the environment, reusing pre-existing materials is also a viable alternative. Many companies offer reclaimed and recycled products which provide both an effective flooring material as well as an excellent method for reusing old materials and preserving limited resources. Some of these reclaimed and recycled materials include stone, tiles, and lumber.

Stonemasons and various other manufacturers often throw away stone left over after the cutting of countertops and other stone products. Marble, granite, and other types of stone scraps can be used as attractive flooring materials in order to minimize waste, and often local businesses will offer the materials for free to those willing to pick them up. While the materials may be cheap to come by, making effective use of the stone may require extra expenditures and cost can become an issue.

Tile can be reclaimed from old and new buildings, and ages fairly well. Slate, ceramic, flag and handmade tiles can all be salvaged and used again in new flooring. Reclaimed tile can be restored to a near-perfect appearance fairly easily, and many local salvage yards offer an abundant supply, thought finding tiles to fit a specific need might take some searching. In addition to whole tiles, broken tiles can be salvaged and the pieces used to make mosaic flooring. This allows for a variety of tiles to be used in the same flooring, and limits waste as even scraps can be reused in other projects.

Reclaimed lumber is lumber that is salvaged, often from old warehouses, barns, and other buildings, but sometimes submerged logs from logging sites are recovered and used. This reclaimed lumber can then be treated and reused in newer buildings, reducing costs and preserving limited ecological resources. Reclaimed lumber has an aged look to it, and this unique appearance makes it an attractive alternative to many consumers. While some companies reclaim lumber and process it themselves, sanding and treating it to protect against the elements, others only salvage and resell the wood, leaving the consumers to take care of any additional needs before the lumber can be used. Reclaimed lumber

Recycled lumber is another environmentally-friendly flooring option. While reclaimed lumber is salvaged and used in a fairly unaltered state, recycled wood is broken down into smaller boards, or even ground down into pulp and used to make fiberboard and plywood for use as a component in other flooring solutions. Though this makes effective use of old materials, the extra processing and energy required to make recycled lumber usable makes it a slightly less ecofriendly alternative than reclaimed lumber.

Most local salvage yards and construction companies will have salvaged or scrap materials that can be reused, and in addition to these being a sound way to help the environment, they have the added benefit of being cheaper than their new counterparts.

For information on cork flooring, a green and sustainable flooring option, visit the author's cork flooring website.