The Facts about Carpet and Sustainability
For Dealers and Consumers
Making the right decisions about carpet starts with having the facts. That is why the Carpet
and Rug Institute (CRI) sponsors scientific research and gathers data from independent
sources to help professionals and the public make educated flooring choices. Visit carpetrug.
org to learn more.
Issue
The carpet industry is reducing its impact on the environment for present and future
generations.
What You Should KnowFor Dealers and Consumers
Making the right decisions about carpet starts with having the facts. That is why the Carpet
and Rug Institute (CRI) sponsors scientific research and gathers data from independent
sources to help professionals and the public make educated flooring choices. Visit carpetrug.
org to learn more.
Issue
The carpet industry is reducing its impact on the environment for present and future
generations.
• The carpet industry is concerned about the amount of old carpet that ends up in
landfills each year. Carpet manufacturers are voluntarily addressing this problem by
recycling old carpet materials back into carpet production, recycling old carpet into
alternative uses such as building materials and auto parts, refurbishing old carpet
into new carpet tiles and even hauling away old carpet so it can be reused or
recycled.
• Through the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), carpet companies,
government entities and product suppliers are working to develop market-based
solutions for the recycling and use of post-consumer carpet. Visit carpetrecovery.org.
o It is estimated that carpet recycling efforts currently save about 200 million
pounds of waste from being deposited in U.S. landfills.
• Many times, carpet is replaced not because it has actually worn out, but because it
no longer has the appearance of a new carpet. CRI understands the investment put
into a carpet - but also the environmental ramifications of replacing carpet before its
time.
• Learn more about how the carpet industry is reducing its environmental footprint in
the CRI Sustainability Reports, which can be accessed from the CRI home page by
clicking on Carpet Industy. (check).
• To help reduce premature replacement of carpet, CRI established the Green Label
Vacuum Testing program. The program identifies vacuum cleaners that keep
carpets looking their best.
• Additionally, CRI created the Seal of Approval to help customers identify carpet
cleaning products that clean effectively without harming the carpet. From spot
cleaning to periodic deep extraction cleaning, proper carpet maintenance is the first
step in preserving the life of carpet. For a list of certified carpet cleaning products,
click on Seal of Approval at carpet-rug.org.
