Published: March 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Susan Schwartzkopf

Instead of: Hardwood floors

Try this: Bamboo

Bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly flooring material due to its high yield and the relatively fast rate at which it replenishes itself. It takes just four to six years for bamboo to mature, compared to 50 to 100 years for typical hardwoods. Just be sure to look for sources that use formaldehyde-free glues.

Instead of: Conventional paint

Try this: Zero-VOC paint

Using paint that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) is an important step in improving the air quality inside our homes. According to the EPA, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air and, you guessed it, paints and finishes are part of the problem.

Instead of: Granite countertops

Try this: Recycled glass

Granite was the standard for a long time, now the bar has been raised with recycled glass surfaces. These countertops consist mainly of recycled wine, beer and mineral water bottles, with a small portion of the glass coming from traffic light lenses, window glass, stemware and even art glass. One 5 foot by 9 foot panel can recycle up to 1,000 glass bottles.

Instead of: Home accents and knickknacks

Try this: Palms, ferns and daisies

Not only does a little greenery make a room look warm and inviting, but plants also filter out harmful airborne chemicals. Add palms, ferns or potted gerbera daisies, which all have high ratings for their ability to remove chemical vapors, throughout your home, and you'll find you'll breathe easier.

Instead of: A vinyl shower curtain

Try this: Organic cotton or hemp

If you're ready for a new shower curtain, remember fabric ones are much healthier than vinyl — and better yet are those made from organic cotton or hemp. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in most plastic varieties emits carcinogens (bad for your health) and is non-biodegradable (bad for the earth). If you're about to embark on a bathroom renovation, consider designing a shower area with a glass door or partition, so you don't need a curtain at all.