Eco-Friendly Carpet Options
I’m trying to decide if we want to use wall-to-wall carpet, area rugs, or nothing at all (although that doesn’t seem very cozy) in the baby’s room. What are some eco-friendly solutions?
Oh, you are going to be so pleasantly surprised! There are some fantastic eco-friendly options for you in carpeting your baby’s room that will leave all of you feeling cozy, stylish, and healthy - and given the amount of time your baby will spend on the floor, crawling around, breathing in, and licking (yes, licking!) various corners of your floor, you are wise to put in a product that doesn’t leave her exposed to the host of toxic chemicals used in traditional carpet production.
Here’s a surprise: You actually can go wall-to-wall, in large part, thanks to a gentleman named Ray Anderson, founder of Interface Carpet, who over 14 years ago, had a vision about re-figuring the petroleum- and toxic-chemical-heavy carpet industry into a new model of “cradle to cradle” production. FYI, you Cradle readers, the phrase cradle to cradle was coined after a book of the same name, authored by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, that asks us to re-envision the way we make things and do so in a sustainable manner. If you’re settling in for a good read before baby arrives, and you’re a bit over the litany of prenatal books on your coffee table, this will give your almost-mommy brain a good challenge.
Today, there is a medley of wonderful flooring options that won’t put your child at a higher risk for asthma, allergies, and a host of other diseases associated with chemicals used in conventional carpeting. So read on, and have fun decorating!
Carpet tiles are a fantastic option that also allow you to replace stained spots and areas of high use that wear down quite easily. Interface offers two lines, Entropy and Bentley Prince Street. Also ask your local carpet dealer about Ecologix and Ecoworx by the Shaw Group.
Other flooring options include:
- Godfrey Hirst – Offering a vast array of carpet types, textures, blends, patterns, and colors, including the environmentally friendly Kid Zone.
To keep area rugs in place, opt for Nature's Grip, non-toxic rug hold.
About The AuthorKimberly Danek Pinkson is the founder of the EcoMom Alliance and a popular media guest and keynote speaker on issues of green living and sustainability. A longtime social entrepreneur and freelance writer, she is a frequent contributor for parenting magazines and websites such as BabyCenter and iVillage. Kimberly works with her team of EcoMom Leaders to bring forth the organizationâ??s positive and proactive messaging, including teaching Sustain Your Self workshops nationwide. She is the proud mommy to son Corbin, a doting auntie to two nephews, and very happy to be a part of The Cradle. To learn more about Kimberly and join the EcoMom Alliance, please visit ecomomalliance.org.
