Carpet is one of the most controversial materials that we put in our homes, and carpeting is not green. “But it’s cheap, soft underfoot and I like it”, you may reply. That’s why carpeting is so popular. In this article you can learn how to make the most environmental choice if you must use carpet.
Why not carpet?
Carpet is by far the most popular floor covering in the US, installed on nearly 70% of our floors. Synthetic carpeting is the most common line of products, constructed from petroleum based materials that have been linked to health concerns. Carpets and their backings have been shown to off-gas many unhealthy compounds. Additionally, the adhesives used with carpets are typically heavy on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can impact the healthiness of your home.
Once installed, the dangers of carpets don't end. Carpets can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, dust mites and allergens. The heavier pile carpets typically found in homes magnify this concern. Carpets can be cleaned, but the chemicals and solvents used to truly eliminate the health concerns (not just the dirt) can be hazardous to occupant health.
And once the carpet has run its course the disposal of carpets is a burden on our landfills. Carpet fibers, being made from petroleum derived formulas, don't degrade well. Carpet recycling options are available, but they are few and far between and don't accept all carpets.
From start to finish, carpeting is not the ideal green material. For the most part, they are made from fossil fuels, are unhealthy and have limited means of disposal.
If you must:
We recognize that carpets aren't just going to go away. Here are a few approaches to making your carpets more sustainable.
Eco-Friendly Materials:
Major manufacturers are now creating some carpet from partially recycled content including plastic bottles and recycled carpets. Backing materials are also being made from recycled content and when installed with tacks rather than adhesives, the carpet becomes a much more sustainable product.
Another route to take is natural fibers. A traditional material is wool and in many parts of the world, sheep are still raised specifically for carpet fibers. Wool carpets are more durable than synthetics, resist dust mites, moisture and fire, and also can be more comfortable under foot. Many wool carpets are using jute backing, upping the sustainable nature of these carpet products. Other natural fibers used today for carpeting include sisal, seagrass, abaca and coir.
Install and Maintain:
No matter what carpet fiber material you choose, we recommend that you forgo adhesives for the carpet pad and tack both the pad and the carpet. This will save you from the health concerns of having a high VOC adhesive under your feet. Also look for opportunities to reduce waste by creating floor layouts that don't require carpets to continue from room to room or fill complex shaped spaces.
Once the carpet is installed, use natural cleaners that are low VOC and require lower water usage. Keep your carpets clean by vacuuming regularly and keeping moisture away from your carpets. This will help to reduce the build-up of dust mites, mold and mildew.
End of Life Cycle:
One of the most promising trends in carpeting is recyclable carpeting. Some manufacturers are taking old traditional carpeting and producing both carpet backers and new carpet fibers from them. This is needed, but more promising are the companies producing carpet tile squares that are made of recycled content and can then be recycled at the end of their life cycles. These choices are both preferable to sending your used carpet to the landfill.
Conclusion:
Carpets are the most controversial floor covering in the sustainable building industry. They are so prevalent that they leave a large hole in the sustainable building movement. If you must install carpet, please: i) choose a carpet from a sustainable material like wool, ii) install it without adhesives, iii) maintain it well, and iv) recycle it at the end of it’s life.