Traditional carpeting is present in most home in the United States. However, it’s not a safe or environmentally sustainable product. It also wears out quickly and can’t be recycled. If you’re concerned about your home’s ecological impact, avoiding this kind of carpeting is important. Instead of a traditional carpet, look for other options. There are healthier, greener carpets out there that will work just as well.
Conventional carpet is synthetic, made from nylon, acrylic, polyester, or polypropylene. It’s backed with PVC, polyurethane, or synthetic latex. These materials can be toxic, and contain a number of chemicals that may leach out of them over the years. They’re also treated with other chemicals, like dyes, fire retardants, antistatic treatments, fungicides and stain proof features. Installing a conventional carpet isn’t healthy or environmentally friendly, either. VOC (volatile organic compound) containing adhesives are dangerous, too.
You can improve standard carpet by installing it using a low VOC adhesive, or by installing modular carpet tiles, so that a single piece can be replaced instead of the entire floor. However, the resources used in making carpet are still non renewable and not the healthiest of options. Fortunately, there are some ecologically friendly alternatives available.
Carpets made from recycled materials are starting to appear. Made out of discarded soda bottles, wool, cotton, nylon, and even old carpet, these use less energy and keep items from going to the landfill. You can also get recycled carpet pads. Tacking your carpet to the floor instead of gluing it removes concerns about VOCs from adhesives, and the carpet remains attractive and soft.
Before the age of synthetics, carpeting was made from wool. You can still get carpet made from sheep or llama wool, which is biodegradable and renewable. This carpeting has a richer texture and lasts longer, as well as naturally being resistant to dirt, fire, static, and moisture. Conventional carpets all have to be chemically treated to have these properties. Wool carpet is also less hospitable to dust mites than synthetics. However, most wool carpeting is treated with an anti-moth chemical, which may off gas. Look for untreated wool carpet with a jute backing that is dyed with natural colors.
Wool carpets must be kept dry and vacuumed regularly. Clean it with natural cleansers and install it like recycled carpeting to reduce the impact it has on the environment and make it healthier. This material is more expensive than a synthetic, but it’ll last longer and feel better.
Plant fibers are another biodegradable, untreated, VOC free option. Sisal is the most popular, but sea grass carpeting and other plants and reeds are also a possibility. Jute carpeting, coconut fibers, and abaca are also popular. They’re usually backed with urethane or latex, and may be undyed. That’s because many plant fibers don’t dye well. If you like the natural greenish browns of sea grass and jute, however, they’re excellent and unique looking choices.
