Ever stop to consider what will happen to your old wall-to-wall carpeting when you replace it? How about all the oil that goes into creating the synthetic fibers for your carpet?
Your little carpet can have a big impact on the environment, but if living green is your concern, don't fret. Manufacturers are creating eco-friendly carpeting in ways that are both ancient and cutting edge.
Literally Green Carpet
Carpets manufactured with renewable plant fibers have been made for centuries. Jute, sisal and abaca (a form of hemp) are making a comeback as popular carpeting choices. Although not as soft or as easy to clean as synthetic carpets, natural fiber carpets have a small carbon footprint and are biodegradable.
Better Than A Knitted Sweater
Wool carpeting comes from a renewable resource and is hypoallergenic. The naturally occurring lanolin in wool fibers is a great stain fighter, making wool an eco-friendly carpeting material that is also low maintenance.
The Intelligent Use Of Synthetics
Synthetic carpet manufacturers are making great technological strides in creating eco-friendly carpeting. Some manufacturers are recycling PET plastic drinking bottles to create carpet fibers. The high quality of the plastic used in drinking bottles creates a better plastic fiber than that previously used for carpet.
Other manufacturers are recycling existing nylon carpet to create new carpet. This type of recycling (called "cradle to cradle") takes a material and creates a new form of the same material. Carpet makers are also using recycled materials to create the cylindrical cores that carpet is rolled around, saving many trees by replacing cardboard.
It's Corny, But True
Distilled corn sugar is being used to create a plastic that is renewable, non-oil based and biodegradable. Corn plastic is being used to create carpet fibers for eco-friendly carpeting. Although corn plastic has its proponents, the high energy cost and impact on food prices are still a concern.
Going Green Without Turning Green
If you're considering a synthetic carpet, (of either virgin or recycled material) be sure to consider the carpet's effects on indoor air quality. Some synthetics generate high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These gasses can be harmful to breathe and are usually most powerful in the first few weeks after a carpet is installed.
When purchasing synthetic carpeting, check the label to see if the material has bee tested by the Carpet Research Institute. CRI certified material has been tested for toxic levels of VOCs.
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