Not everyone has an entire room devoted to their fondness for cinema, but even for those of us who simply boast a large flat-screen in the living room, there are ways to go green while you enjoy the movies you love. If you do have the money to create a dedicated home theater, you should certainly consider building your room with the planet in mind, since it is our beautiful terrain that provides the backdrop for the exotic locales in your favorite films. Here are a few helpful hints to start you on the road to furbishing your green home theater.
- Flooring. Starting from the ground up is always best, so instead of that plush multicolored synthetic carpet (which is non-recyclable), consider an eco-friendly tread like wool carpet or bamboo or cork flooring (made from natural, renewable, biodegradable materials). Or you can go with a recyclable synthetic like Evolution nylon for easier maintenance.
- Seating. Of course you want authentic theater seats, but you don’t have to get them custom made. It doesn’t get any more authentic than reclaiming seats from an actual theater, so think about adding a retro vibe with some old-school chairs. You’d be surprised what you can find on eBay and Craig’s List if you take a little time to look. If you just can’t stand the idea of finding ages-old gum from some bygone era stuck to the bottom of your seat, there are several furniture manufacturers who offer lines of home-theater seating that are either made from eco-friendly products or are entirely recyclable.
- Storage. You’ll need some place to keep your DVDs, video cassettes, laser discs, and reel-to-reels, and you’re sure to want something that is attractive. You can purchase bamboo cabinets if you require custom-made (it is a highly renewable wood) or find a merchant who specializes in reclaimed cabinetry to get the hardwood you want without denuding another forest.
- Curtains. No theater is complete with a curtain to pull back to announce that the movie is about to begin. And you can make this standard feature green as well by seeking out sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or even peace silk. These fabrics are all made without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and contain low impact dyes, so you can add a little style and sophistication to your room without damaging the planet.
- Projector. It wouldn’t really be a theater without a projector, and incredibly, even those have gone green. Sanyo now offers electronics (including projectors) with the environment in mind. They have two models that come with an eco stand-by mode that uses about 80% less energy than other projectors (and their packaging is recyclable). If your space is too small for a projector, then consider an LED flat-screen (as opposed to LCD or plasma), which uses 40% less power than a traditional LCD.
You may not think that “home theater” and “eco-friendly” are two phrases that go together, but in today’s world, everyone is starting to think about ways to be kind to the planet, even while experiencing the heights of luxury. So if a home theater is on your agenda, consider some of the many ways in which you can have your movie and watch it too; by protecting the beautiful vistas that made riding off into the sunset possible.
Leah Marin is a communications coordinator for Projection Screens.
