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.