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Eco Wool Carpet

The 100% Natural Floor Covering

An environmental analysis of Eco Wool Carpet.

Description

Eco Wool Carpet
  • Wool is a natural fibre harvested from sheep
  • To date wool carpet and wool floor coverings cannot be replicated with synthetic materials and sets the bar for fibre quality and performance
  • Content of natural wool floor coverings range from 100% to blends with other fibres

Backing

  • 100% natural carpet backing materials available which contain zero VOCs or indoor air pollutants e.g. jute
  • Typical backing materials contain plastics such as polypropylene which are hazardous to health through offgassing VOCs - avoid!

Uses

  • Floor coverings: carpet tiles, carpet and rugs
  • Suitable for high traffic areas
  • Suitable for areas with heavy static loads

Advantages

  • Resilient from wear and tear – over nylon equivalents
  • Naturally buoyant, fibres do not crush or indent easily
  • Good resistance to static electricity
  • Good sound insulating properties
  • Excellent thermal insulating properties
  • High level of resistance to fire, combustion and self extinguishes when the source of the fire is lost – due to the protein content
  • Fibres will not burn or melt from dropped cigarettes
  • This surface characteristics also means the wool fibre does not absorb water easily
  • Able to absorb humidity very well, without noticeable wet or damp patches
  • Able to take dyes
  • Natural characteristic of the wool fibre means that dust and dirt are kept on the surface making it easy to clean
  • Appearance improves with age
  • The feel of this natural material is superior to synthetic alternatives

Disadvantages

  • Air-conditioning or heated air systems stir up dust trapped in the carpet lowering indoor air quality
  • Needs to be cleaned often, either dry or wet cleaning uses energy and water resources

Cost

  • Expensive, yet offset with the long term durability and self renewing characteristics

Embodied Energy

  • Locally sourced wool has low levels of embodied energy
  • Wool sourced from overseas very high levels of embodied energy due to transportation and distribution

Source/Origin

  • Origin can be anywhere sheep farming is possible
  • The majority of wool sourced in the UK is manufactured in the UK
  • Wool sourced and manufactured in New Zealand is a popular choice with their strict standards regarding minimal environmental impact during farming, excellent animal welfare and a ban on pesticides

Renewable

  • 100% renewable and abundant fibre

Environmental & Health

  • Animal agriculture uses a large amount of resources
  • Farming methods such as sheep dipping may involve toxic chemicals
  • Allergies can be caused by the large amount of dust in woolen carpets – especially during hoovering
  • Insecticide treatments for moth repellent contain toxic chemicals added during carpet manufacture
  • Manufacturing processes can create amounts of chemical / toxic waste
  • Some untreated wool carpets are avaialable which are backed with jute and are coloured with natural dyes
  • Non toxic, solvent free and water based adhesives available for installation
  • This floor covering helps improve indoor air quality
  • Wool fibres absorb air pollutants, VOCs and formadelhyde, which are trapped within the fibre without release, even when a heat source is applied

Performance

  • Highly durable
  • Wool carpets have the ability to clean the air for up to 3 decades
  • The longest lifespan of all carpet materials

Maintainence

  • Regular hoovering
  • Avoid moist environments which may encourage mildew

Recycled Content

  • N/A

Recyclable

  • Yes fully

Disposal / Biodegradable

  • Yes fully

Ethics

  • Local farmers benefit from the demand for wool
  • Manufacturing the woollen fibres near by to the source helps the local economy and trade

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