Carpets can be made from man-made or natural fibres. There are a number of reasons that natural fibres like wool carpet are preferable for sustainability over man-made fibres. These include recyclability, renewability and making your home more eco-friendly by reducing VOCs and improving insulation.
The UK incinerates 130,000 tonnes of carpet waste a year. The carpets can be made from plastic fibres like nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. They’re attached to the backing with PVC. This makes them difficult to recycle and they can’t be disposed of in standard household waste. They need to be disposed of by a licensed waste carrier (Business Waste).
Man-made fibre carpets
Man-made fibre carpets are not ideal for a number of reasons, say Flooring By Nature. They’re more likely to flatten down when under heavy use. They are poor at insulating our rooms, and the UK has some of the most energy efficient housing stock. This means we need to use more energy to heat our homes. They are a fire risk as the materials melt due to the heat and release toxic gasses into the home.
Petroleum based man made fibres are bad for the environment as they are not biodegradable and they end up leaching into our soil and waterways. Or they are incinerated which increases our carbon emissions. Man-made fibres like polyester and nylon produce a high level of VOCs. This can cause irritation to the nose and throat and respiratory problems for those with pre-existing conditions. That’s why natural fibres like wool are preferable.
Why choose wool carpet
Wool carpet is the diametric opposite of a synthetic fibre. It is durable and bounces back when walked on. It is sound dampening and has thermal properties that make it heat insulating. Wool carpet is naturally flame retardant. It is also resistant to dust mites which makes it better for those with allergies. And lastly, it is environmentally friendly and a renewable resource. Wool carpets last for a long time and need replacing less frequently.
Flooring By Nature sells Cumbrian wool carpet that is made from undyed British wool. The wool is sourced from Herdwick sheep in the Lake District. These sheep are a hardy breed with tough, durable wool that is ideal for making carpet. There is limited processing of the wool, so it has very low VOCs. To achieve the different colours for the carpet, the manufacturer mixes different shades of wool and no chemical dyes are used. The entire manufacturing process takes place within the UK which reduces transport emissions on the product.
The Cumbria carpet is available in loop, twist and weave or herringbone patterns. Carpets of different patterns but the same colour can be used to provide contrasting texture in different areas of the home. The range can be used in all areas of the home. For more information about the Cumbria wool carpet, visit www.flooringbynature.co.uk
Choose wool carpet
We recommend that you choose natural materials like wool carpet for your home. The benefits are plentiful from reducing risk from allergies and fire to improving your home insulation and the longevity of the carpet itself. Wool is an amazing natural material that can be recycled and renewed.
If you are looking for more inspiration for sustainable home decoration, visit the house and garden section of our sustainable business directory.