Bamboo Ado

It's possible to find new wood flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. In addition, some superstores are starting their own sustainable-wood programs, so if you can't find FSC stock locally, ask Home Despot and Woe's what they can promise you about the source of their flooring. If nothing else, doing so will send a message. Also, look around for salvaged flooring: Not only will your floor be environmentally friendly, it'll come with that warm, lovely, older-floor look. Finally, if at all possible, please patronize a locally owned small lumber store.

The real reason I'm answering your question, however (as we've already gone over wood issues in previous columns) is that I want to mention bamboo. Bamboo, that fast-growing, renewable panda snack, is rising in popularity as an alternative to traditional Western flooring. The bamboo is split and flattened to make all sorts of wooden surfaces, including floors. It looks like narrow-slat flooring, and is tough, resilient, and beautiful. (Really. I've seen it.) It may provide just the renewable, chic look you're seeking.

Also, I wanted to take this opportunity to say something about solid-waste disposal. A general rule with nearly empty paint cans is to leave them open until the paint solidifies and then throw them in the trash. However, with leftover paint and potentially lead-based paint chips, you must call your local solid-waste agency and see what it recommends. This is true for all confounding trash bits, from paint globs to medicine bottles. My city is quite on top of solid-waste issues and offers many options for keeping toxics out of the waste stream, but in some municipalities, you can't even recycle glass. You'll need to contact your own solid-waste agency to find out what can be done with sundry trash bits. If your choices are too limited, it may be time to lobby for improvements in the local solid-waste policy. You may find plenty of room for old paint cans on the mayor's lawn.

Boardly,
Umbra

P.S. I nearly forgot about your carpet. The U.S. EPA is developing a recycling program in cooperation with carpet manufacturers, so you could look into that and see if it's already available in your area. I know of two re-use options: look into donating or selling it, if it's in good shape, or use it to smother grass in your yard then throw it out.