Materials? What’s That?
In this context, we’re referring mainly to building materials, and to a lesser extent anything else that’s not food (costuming, accessories, gifts). What you’ll use to build your shade structure, your camp’s dance or chill space, your art, or your mutant vehicle does have an ecological impact, even if it doesn’t immediately become trash post-event. The greenest among us may trot blithely to a big box hardware giant to pick up a pallet of the most eco-unfriendly virgin-forest lumber because it’s what’s on sale. Why not re-think that? There are options that are not only more responsible, but cheaper too!
Tips and Hints
Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Using used materials in your art is hella eco-friendly, and often hella cheap! In the resource link section below you can find information on used materials and environmentally conscious paints, stains, and flooring.
Build it so you can re-build it.
Build with environmentally responsible materials
If you choose to use new materials, there are still some choices that more environmentally friendly than others. Many hardware stores carry “green” products. Check out rateitgreen.com for directories of retailers that carry green construction products.
Avoid materials that release toxins as they burn.
Frequently Asked Question
How do I build my structure with eco-safe materials?
Using used materials is generally a greener approach than using virgin stuff, unless you’re going to burn it, in which case the toxins issue has to be considered. In the resource link section below you can find information on used materials and environmentally conscious paints, stains, and flooring. If you’ll be using virgin materials, look for products that have been rated as eco-friendlier. You can check with rateitgreen.com for hardware stores that carry greener goods. It’s also a good idea to ask your hardware store worker about eco-friendlier options.
Resource Links
Used Materials
Resources for recycling/reused information include the following (most municipalities have their own recycling coordinators that can direct residents to local resources):
The above URLs will have some but probably not all of the following used building materials dealers:
- The Reuse People (Oakland) https://www.thereusepeople.org
- The Reusable Lumber Co. (Woodside) https://www.reusablelumber.com
- Building Resources (SF) https://www.buildingresources.org
- Urban Ore (Berkeley) https://urbanore.com/
- Caldwell’s (New & some used. SF) https://www.caldwells.com
- Whole House Bldg Supply (E. Palo Alto) https://www.driftwoodsalvage.com
- This & That (San Pablo)
These local organizations sell inexpensive donated materials for art projects:
- S.C.R.A.P. https://www.scrap-sf.org
- The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse https://www.creativereuse.org
The Build it Green Product and Service Directory also provides some useful information:
And, wouldn’t want to leave out the online exchanges:
- FreeCycle https://www.freecycle.org
- Craigslist https://www.craigslist.org
Send Us Your Ideas
Do you have information that would benefit others by being shared on this page? Email environment@burningman.com and we will review it for inclusion here!