Wall-to-wall carpeting covers more than 70 percent of the floors in American homes and workplaces— with most of it made from petroleum. One barrel of oil is used to make 450 square feet. And it’s hardly a onetime purchase. We replace our carpets every seven to ten years, sending over four billion pounds into the solid waste stream every year.
Although some responsible carpeting companies are taking steps to keep their products out of landfills, carpet-recycling centers are few and far between. That’s why an interior design choice that used to be purely aesthetic has become an environmental decision as well. Your carpet can also have a significant impact on your health. Here’s how to make your new carpets as green as possible, no matter what the color.
RAW MATERIAL: Check the carpet surface, backing and padding. Is it natural or synthetic? Is it made from recycled material? DURABILI T Y: The longer it lasts, the less you send to the landfill. But its durability depends on where it’s installed, so consider foot traffic when you’re shopping. AFTERLIFE: What happens to the old stuff when you redecorate?
TREATMEN TS: What moth-, stain- or fire-resistant chemicals have been incorporated into the surface fiber, backing, padding and adhesive?
MANUFACTURING PROCESS: Is the company environmentally responsible (for instance, using green energy or recycling water and chemicals) in its manufacturing process?
The back of the carpet sample yields information on fiber content and chemical treatments, such as stain and moth repellents, and the company’s website is a good resource for manufacturing information.
While much U.S. manufacturing has gone to foreign countries, about 80 percent of U.S. carpeting is still made in Dalton, Georgia, under U.S.–monitored labor conditions. But rug makers in many other countries are notorious for using child and slave labor. The nonprofit RugMark Foundation randomly inspects the looms of companies in India, Nepal and Pakistan that agree to employ adults only and certifies their products accordingly. RugMark has rescued more than 3,000 children from weaving looms, helps them return to their families and provides schooling and vocational training. For a list of certified rug and carpet manufacturers, see rugmark.org.
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