If you are searching for an eco-friendly flooring option for your home or business, choosing a recycled carpet or recycled plastic carpet may be the way to go. You should consider a few factors when you are deciding on carpeting that has been recycled.

What is a Recycled Carpet?

In 2020, more than 50 percent of the residential homes in the United States had carpet flooring, with an average life expectancy of 10 to 18 years. Carpets are made from many types of fibers, including woven nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or wool fibers. In the past, close to 6 billion pounds of old carpets were sent to landfill sites, where they continue to decompose every day.

When a carpet reaches the end of its useful life cycle, instead of sending it to landfills, it can now be recycled. In fact, in most communities, old carpeting is no longer accepted for disposal in the home trash.  Now, there are carpet recycling centers all over the nation that accept old, worn, and torn carpets. The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) is a joint non-profit industry-government venture whose mission is to develop solutions for recycling old and used carpets. Evidence shows that recycling carpet is a more eco-friendly and sustainable option.  It is an amazing process.  The old carpet is broken down into the original raw materials, which are then extracted and reused to make things like flooring, furniture, gardening products, and automotive interiors, to name a few uses. In the long term, recycling carpet is not only cheaper but a much safer option for the environment. The use of recycled carpet is now a preferred option for many homeowners who want sustainable flooring options.

Another viable option with old carpets is to reuse them in the home as long as they are clean and not torn. Once the old carpet is removed, it can be installed in another room or an area of low foot traffic.  Reduce, reuse, recycle – the mantra of helping save the environment and our planet.

The Process of Recycling Carpet

Unlike in the past when old carpets were simply discarded in dumpsters, today flooring companies have merged with manufacturers to remove the padding and send the rest of the carpet to the recycling professionals. The carpet is then further sorted to identify the make of the fibers. It is either shredded or cut apart, washed, and reformatted for recycling with a new backer. Most of the carpet fibers are rearranged, sewn, and passed through a heated oven with rollers to create new carpet backing for homes and commercial businesses. 

If the material to make the carpet was plastic, like polypropylene, it is melted down into pellets and sent to other companies that will make newer items and products, such as plastic lumber, auto parts, and other types of plastic padding.

Recycled Wool Carpet Flooring

For the most part, carpets are made of synthetic material. In fact, the process of manufacturing carpets requires all types of volatile chemicals. This is not the case, however, for carpets made from natural fibers, like wool, cotton, jute, and sisal or recycled carpets. 

Recycled carpets are fast becoming the most popular flooring option for most homes since they are comfortable to walk on, can muffle sound, come in many colors and styles, and can cushion falls. They are also easy to maintain and more durable than conventional carpets. The downsides can include the fact that they can quickly become dirty, they are not stain-proof or water-resistant, and they require shampooing on a regular basis to maintain the aesthetics.

Recycled Plastic Carpets (Berber Carpets)

Innovations in the carpet industry have given rise to the Berber carpet, which is a sustainable form of, recycled plastic carpet, made from recycled plastic bottles. Each year, millions of tons of plastic bottles and containers are simply discarded into landfill sites, where they remain intact for years. However, now with novel ways of recycling, the plastic does not enter landfills but instead goes to a recycling center where other products are made. During the manufacture, there is almost no impact on the environment since the majority of plastic bottles and containers destined for landfills are now used to make Berber carpets. There are several benefits to Berber carpets other than the fact that they are a recycled carpet product. The recycled plastic carpets are durable, come in many pleasing styles, are spill-resistant, and are easy to maintain.

Unfortunately, Berber carpets also have a few negatives. The fibers can easily get snagged, which results in loosening and unraveling. If not quickly repaired, the carpet’s lifespan can be reduced. In addition, unlike regular carpets, a Berber carpet does feel hard on the feet and is not comfortable to sit on. However, if you are looking for something economically sustainable and/or a recycled plastic carpet with good aesthetics, you will not go wrong with Berber carpet.

Advantages of Recycled Carpets 

The major benefits of recycled carpeting include the following:

  1. Better indoor air quality since the recycled materials are non-toxic and do not release any toxic gases.
  2. Carpet longevity. It is very durable and may last several decades with good maintenance.
  3. More design flexibility. With improved technology, homeowners now have access to a wide range of carpeting options that have been recycled with differing patterns, styles, colors, and textures.
  4. Environmental friendliness. Because recycled carpeting is made without the use of chemicals and synthetic materials, they do not harm the environment. In fact, the recycling of carpets helps reduce the contents in landfill sites and helps preserves resources. At the end of their lifespan, they can again be recycled for new carpeting or another recycled product.
  5. Affordability. Unlike rubber, bamboo, or engineered wood, recycled plastic flooring is much more affordable.

Care and Maintenance

The care and maintenance required for recycled carpets are the same as for traditional carpets. The carpets will need to be regularly vacuumed and shampooed to maintain their aesthetics and functionality. Water spills will need to be quickly removed, and the use of harsh chemicals to remove stains should be avoided.

CONCLUSION

Thanks to technology, today, there are many types of eco-friendly flooring options, including recycled carpet, for homeowners that are not only affordable but have good aesthetics. While there are some differences between each of these eco-friendly flooring materials, the ultimate decision is a matter of personal preference. A recycled plastic carpet is very environmentally friendly, affordable, and has great aesthetics. Speak to a professional from East Coast Flooring & Interiors to learn more about eco-friendly flooring options for your home. Call us today or stop by our showroom for more information.