green per square foot.

You curled up by the fireplace together. You frolicked barefoot together. Your relationship with your carpet has been cozy and warm, but did you notice a change when it came into your life? That dizzy, nauseous, and fatigued feeling wasn’t love; it was a dreaded volatile organic compound (VOC). Most carpet is made from petroleum byproducts and synthetics, treated with stain repellants, backed with latex, and padded with PVC. Perhaps it is time to break-up, but before tossing the carpet in the trash, check listings for local carpet recyclers.

Luckily, finding eco-carpet is easier than finding a date. There are infinitely recyclable rugs made from polymer water bottles. Or you can also find natural fiber carpets made from chemical-free wool, jute, sea grass, sisal, coir (coconut-husk fiber), and even corn. When the time comes to dump those, you ditch them in the compost.

How do you know if the carpet will treat you well? When shopping for eco-carpets, look for Green Label Plus Certification. Check the carpet label for a little green house, which means it’s been tested by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Indoor Air Quality testing program. Never mind matching the carpet with the drapes; match the carpet with the eco-chic lifestyle.