Eco Wool Carpet

The 100% natural floor covering

An environmental analysis of Eco Wool Carpet.

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

Go back to the Eco Materials main page





Return from eco wool carpet to the homepage