sustainable flooring & rugs
According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, carpets cover 70% of the floors in the United States. Up to 90% of all carpet and contemporary rugs are made from nylon, polypropylene, polyester and other synthetics. These petroleum-based floor coverings contribute to the exhaustion of limited natural resources and require vast amounts of energy and water to manufacture (www.greenseal.org).
In stark contrast to synthetics, Merida’s large area rugs and sustainable flooring products are made from rapidly renewable materials that come from plants (sisal, jute, abaca, seagrass, coir and paper) and animals (wool). Merida has always chosen to work with natural materials due to the many advantages they have over synthetics, such as:
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- Sustainable flooring products are rapidly renewable. With the use of sustainable farming practices, these fibers may be harvested over and over again without damaging the environment.
- Sustainable rugs undergo very little processing. Natural fibers generally require fewer resources than synthetics to become finished products.
- They do not contribute to climate change since they do not produce CO2. Through photosynthesis, plants actually soak up CO2 and release oxygen.
- They can be biological nutrients, if properly disposed. While many of our area rugs are backed with a natural latex derived from rubber trees, others are unbacked and may even be chopped up and used as fertilizer at the end of their useful life!
Rapidly Renewable materials and sustainable rug products are made from plants that regenerate quickly – typically they may be harvested every 10 years or less (www.usgbc.org).
When you choose a sustainable area rug, you are not simply buying a home accessory. You are making a meaningful statement about what you believe in. You are helping to create a world where quality, beauty, and a sustainable way of life are essential.
Read about our natural fiber rugs...