Eco Wool Carpet

The 100% Natural Floor Covering

An environmental analysis of Eco Wool Carpet.

Description

• 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