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March 21, 2010  |  Login
Choose Your Carpet Carefully
By Eric Corey Freed
 

Carpet is an environmental problem. Typically made from synthetic, oil-based materials, carpets release harmful chemicals. They’re usually backed with vinyl, making them unhealthy and nearly impossible to recycle. Wall-to-wall carpet creates a place for mold, pests, and allergens to reside. With their short life span, carpets are responsible for sending 4 billion pounds of waste to the landfill each year.

Use natural fiber carpets from companies with recycling take-back programs. Avoid any carpet with a vinyl backing. Try using carpet tile instead of wall-to-wall carpeting; you can replace damaged tiles individually without having to replace an entire floor. (Of course, avoiding carpet altogether would be best.) Select a natural padding below the carpet to avoid using toxic and difficult-to-remove adhesives.

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