Carpet
Carpet is a floor covering that often reaches from wall to wall. The top is a soft surface of fibers, most commonly made from various nylon and polyester fibers, and is attached to a backing of bonding materials to ensure the fibers do not come loose.
Carpets are often chosen for their ease of maintenance, soft feel under the feet and variety of colors and textures over other floor surfaces, including wood, linoleum and ceramic tile. From the versatile textured carpet to the 1970s favorite shag carpet, there’s a type of carpet out there for everyone.
For the eco-conscious carpet consumer, there are a number of ways to make sure that the carpet purchased is ideal for the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends avoiding carpets with low or no volatile organic compounds and no toxic dyes for the fibers.
While both of those are valuable traits in a carpet, the EPA also recommends purchasing carpets that are both recyclable and made from recycled content. With more than four billion pounds of carpet entering landfills as of 2010, carpets of recyclable materials are a boon to both the environment in that such materials free up landfills and to carpet makers as it gives them the resources to continue making carpets in the future.
(Text by Noel Kirkpatrick)
Articles about Carpet
Mon, Aug 15 2011 at 12:07 PM EST
Although VOC emissions from new carpet typically fall to very low levels within a few days of installation, the choice of carpet material can play a role in attaining LEED certification.Fri, Aug 12 2011 at 3:51 PM EST
When shopping for green carpet, there are a number of factors you should consider. What is the carpet made from? Does it contain any toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds? Was it responsibly manufactured? Is it recyclable?Thu, Aug 11 2011 at 2:13 PM EST
Products and materials that keep your home improvement projects ecologically soundWed, Aug 10 2011 at 11:39 AM EST
When shopping for eco-friendly flooring, you can find lots of sustainable options for hardwood, carpeting or anything else you want to walk on.Mon, Aug 08 2011 at 10:13 PM EST
CEO of Interface and author of 'Confessions of a Radical Industrialist' leaves an eco-legacy. Thu, Jul 28 2011 at 10:56 AM EST
The chemical compounds that make up carpet fibers are valuable to recyclers. Even 30-year-old carpet.Thu, Jul 21 2011 at 12:26 PM EST
Although most carpet components are recyclable or reusable, only about 4 percent of waste carpet gets reclaimed. The industry hopes to increase that number.Wed, Jul 20 2011 at 12:49 PM EST
The Georgia carpet company has sought to cut waste and create a healthier product by focusing on sustainable practices.Mon, Oct 25 2010 at 12:27 PM EST
Among other initiatives, the company hopes to reduce energy use by 25 percent over the next seven years.Fri, Mar 26 2010 at 3:22 PM EST
Whether it's wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs, your floor coverings will eventually need a good cleaning. But the last thing you need is chemical cleaners.- 1. Solar Storm
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