Meaningful remodeling: recycled-glass knobs that help homeless

______________________________________________________

Click to see the latest on Kathy's Remodeling Blog

______________________________________________________

While searching for cabinet hardware, I came across these glass knobs made by Aurora Glass.

They are made of 100% post-consumer recycled glass and sales of them benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Eugene, Ore., which helps homeless people and others having a hard time in life.

I love the idea of choosing items for my remodel that have meaning, that send my money to good causes.

It's not that typical commerce is not good. I'm all for business. But to have that added zing of doing good, for people and for the planet, is what I want.

These knobs come in 1-inch and 2-inch models, and the riser can be either nickel or brass.

Prices for these are much higher at $12 to $14 each than the least expensive pulls you could find on the Internet that look kind of the same for $2 or $3.

My budget is tight, but I might look for a way to spend $100 or so by using them only on my top cabinets or just on my drawers.

Whatever I spend will soon be forgotten, but the reminder to be on the compassionate side of commerce will live on.

Also from Aurora Glass: accent tile in amethyst, apricot, cobalt, clear, emerald and aqua blue (about $8 for a 6-inch strip).

Also, rosette blocks that are 2 1/2 inches ($8), 3 1/2 inches ($10) and 4 1/2 inches ($12).

See the process whereby recycled glass is collected, crushed, washed and mixed with metallic oxides that produce rich colors when melted. Once the furnace is loaded with 500 pounds of the crushed glass, the "batch" is transformed into a glowing liquid and "cooked" at 2,300 degrees overnight. Then the molten glass is molded into architectural and decorative items.

"Creating treasure from yesterday's trash is a beautiful thing," the website states, "and we are proud to make products of simple beauty that also help reduce landfill waste in our community."

Comments

[Earl Frederick]

I got a lot of glass knobs at Look In The Attic - online at www.lookintheattic.com - they had a good deal there, too. I love glass knobs and that it can be recycled.

[Antique Cabinets]

My grandmother has those handles in her drawer, and seriously i did not know they they cost that much money.