Sustainability is the ability to exist, develop and produce without depleting natural resources for the future. It’s important to use sustainable products because they help reduce our impact on the environment. Being sustainable also allows us to address social issues and improve the livelihoods of individuals and communities, improve the business’ reputation and save money over the life of a product or service.
Eco Labels – Is your carpet Red or Green tagged?
The best way to search for sustainable carpets is to look out for Eco Labels. Eco labels can give you certainty that a product meets high standards for its impact on the environment and conditions for workers in the supply chain. Eco labelling is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification and labelling, which is practiced around the world. An eco label identifies a product, which has been proven to be environmentally responsible through thorough analysis. Some of these eco labels include the Global Green Tag, the LBC Red List and the Red List.
The Global Green Tag is a robust, trusted and widely recognised eco label. Their Green Rate program is a product rating system designed to meet the requirements of the ‘Sustainable Products’ credits.
The Red List was founded in 1964. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List/Red List Data Book) is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status in biological species.
The Living Building Challenge Red List or the LBC Red List represents the ‘worst in class’ materials, chemicals and elements known to pose serious risks to human health and the greater ecosystem that are prevalent in the building products industry.
Sustainable carpets
There are two different types of sustainable carpets.
Firstly, there are carpets that are made from sustainable raw materials. Some examples of these materials are wool, hemp, bamboo and even corn leaves. These raw materials are typically natural and renewable fibres that are biodegradable. Plus, they often don’t require any, or as much, fertilisers and pesticides to produce.
Then, there are carpets manufactured from recycled materials such as plastic bottles, industrial scraps, used carpeting, discarded fishing nets or textile waste from clothing manufacture. The great thing about this carpet type is that it reuses materials, which would have been destined for landfill, and gives them the chance to have a second life.
