The initiatives fall into 3 broad categories:, water, energy and materials. For the purpose of this article, I have only included those products that are related to a sustainable supply chain and product stewardship. 

MATERIALS

Linoleum flooring

Areas of the house have been fitted with linoleum that provides a more environmental floor surface than traditional vinyl. The brand of linoleum is Marmoleum by Forbo

Green points:

• Linoleum is made from natural materials, and does not have the down side of the chlorine involved in vinyl production.
• Linoleum has far less out-gassing than other floor surfaces, giving a better indoor air quality.

Stratica flooring

Stratica is a new generation sheet flooring, similar in performance to Linoleum, and also based on sustainable materials. 

Green points:

• Stratica is made from environmentally sustainable materials.
• Stratica has minimal out gassing issues in home use.
• Stratica is one of the worlds only PVC-free, environmentally friendly resilient flooring products. The flooring itself conforms to stringent environmental standards and requires no harmful polishes or coatings. It has the lowest maintenance requirements in it's class.

Supplier
Amtico International
02 9415 0235
www.amtico.com

Integra Floors
7/140 Millaroo Dr, Gaven QLD 4211
t: 07 5529 7600
contact: Hans Beeltje
www.integrafloors.com.au

Goat Hair Carpet

The soft carpeted areas of the house and the walls of the Diary Room have been fitted with a new carpet made from 80% goat hair that provides great wear characteristics, whilst being manufactured from an environmentally safe material

Green points:

• Goat hair can be considered superior to the use of traditional wool fibres, because goats may do far less damage to the environment than sheep.
• The carpet is fitted to a backing and manufactured in a manner to reduce the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which give rise to out gassing, thus giving a better indoor air quality.

Supplier
Tretford Carpets
t: 07 3881 1777
 www.gibbongroup.com.au

Low out gassing paints

The walls and ceilings of the house have been painted with a paint formulated to reduce the amount of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which limits the amount of out gassing and hence improves the indoor air quality, both for the painters installing it, and for the occupants.

Green points:

• The paint is formulated to reduce the VOCs, thus making it safer in installation and use.
• As the paints are heavier, and dry slower, they can have a superior performance characteristic over traditional acrylic paint.

Wood plastic composite timber

The external decking around the spa and pool areas is made from a WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) a form of reconstituted timber made from a mix of wood flour and polyethylene plastic that is suitable for long lasting wear externally, and that has less environmental impact than new timber, regardless of whether it is plantation or old growth sourced.

Green points:    

• The WPC timber is made from recycled materials, using wood flour that would otherwise go to waste, and recycled PET, such as milk bottles.
• The material is superior in its stability, not cracking or warping or subject to termite attack: it has a superior life span and less maintenance.
• As the timber has a sealed surface, it never requires painting during its lifetime, reducing the requirement for further environmentally damaging materials.

Supplier
Modwood
Craig Davies
t: 03 9357 8866
www.modwood.com.au

Diary Room

The diary room chair fabric is made from recyclable fibres. It is made in Australia in a manner to reduce the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which give rise to out gassing. 

Green points:  

• Reduced the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) reduce out gassing

Supplier
Sustainable Living Fabrics
48 Downing St, Oakleigh VIC 3166
t: 03 9563 0123
contact Kay Jones
 http://www.livingfabrics.com.au/

Lounge Room

The lounge fabric is made by using minimal amount of environment impact.

SupplierLaine Furnishings (Lounge Fabric)
 t: 03 9720 6566
http://www.laine.com.au

Kitchen

The benchtop is made of Caeserstone.

Green points:

• First quartz surface company worldwide to carry the ISO 14001 environmental standard (a global standard framed specifically for environmental protection in industry).

Supplier
Caeser Stone
www.caesarstone.com.au

Dining Room

The ceiling lighting is made from rejected recycled computer panels.

The wallpaper is made from Jute a natural vegetable fibre.

The wall lighting is made from plantation hoop pine (Qld).

The Dining Chairs are made from moulded plywood using sustainable processes. 

Supplier
Haash Lighting  (ceiling lighting)
t: 07 3666 0761
http://haasch.biz/

Style Plantation (wallpaper)
t: 07 3712 0200
Contact, Kim Bursnall
www.styleplantation.com

Jon Everett Designs (wall lighting)
t: 0403 067 461

Insitu Furniture (dining chairs)
t: 03 9428 9622
Contact: Deidre Thornton
www.insitufurniture.com.au

Bedroom

The Jeans wall is made from recycled jeans.

Supplier
Jeans supplied by RSPCA and lifeline.

Bathroom

The bathroom vanity top is made from recycled yoghurt pots

Supplier
BAF
t: 02 9966 8470
Contact Angus Blaiklock
http://www.baresque.com.au

Backyard

The outdoor chairs are made from natural rush using a sustainable method of manufacturing.

The sun lounges were especially made for Big Brother from 50,000 Pepsi lids and closures. 

Environmentally Sustainable Objects Group (outdoor chairs)
t: 03 9534 5593
Contact Robyn Galloway
http://www.esogroup.com.au/

Slip In Sunlounges supplied by Lettini
t: 03 9820 4868
Contact: Russell Lipton
www.lettini.com.au

Art Work

The Art Work in the BB house is all created by artist John Dahlsen using recycled products.  He is based in Byron Bay Australia. He studied in Melbourne at the Victorian College of the Arts and at the Melbourne College of Advanced Education.  He has won many awards including Australia’s oldest art award, the prestigious Wynne Prize, at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2000. In 2006 he was a finalist in the Sulman Award at the Art Gallery of NSW. 

"The central concerns of my work are with contemporary art practice. I have for many years been working with found and recycled objects, most hand-picked by myself from somewhere along the Australian Coastline. ………….The present direction in my work which also incorporates sculpture and assemblage, is a natural evolution for me and further consolidates my return to painting, which was my main medium for many years"

Artist:
John Dahlsen
t: 02 6685 5965
www.johndahlsen.com.au

Environmental Consultant to Big Brother

Tone Wheeler -  architect

Tone Wheeler is an architect, author, educator and consultant with an abiding interest in environmental architecture and sustainable design. Tone founded the architectural practice Environa Studio 20 years ago and has designed individual and multiple housing projects, commercial buildings and urban design schemes, all with a strong emphasis on social and environmental concerns.  He has won numerous awards and competitions, is chair of the RAIA National Environment Committee, has been on faculty of 3 universities, is Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture at Unitec in Auckland NZ, is a frequent speaker at architectural conferences and seminars, has been one of the judges on “the New Inventors” program on ABC Television, and is on the Board of ABSA (Association of Building Sustainability Assessors) and Object Forum.

Consultant:
Tone Wheeler - Principal Architect
Environa Studio - environmental architecture
Studio 19, 151 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW Australia 2010
t 02 9332 1211  f 02 9332 1355   m 0418 119 778 

www.environastudio.com.au