Carpet is one of the most popular flooring options in the United States. In fact, carpet covers 70% of the floors in the country. If you do not already have a carpet in your home or are looking to upgrade, you may be thinking about carpet installation. But before buying carpet, you may want to think about where your new carpet is coming from, and where your old one is going.
With the alarming global warming statistics, it is important to assume ecological responsibility in all facets of life. Carpet recycling is a great place to start. In fact, recent carpet recycling efforts have save more than 1.5 billion pounds of waste from ending up in U.S. landfills. If you are thinking about carpet installation and need to get rid of your old rug, don’t just leave it at the curb! There are several ways to ensure that your rug is reused or recycled:
The internet is your friend. Many people use websites like Craigslist, Etsy, and Ebay to find used goods for free or low prices. Before tossing your used rug or carpet, make a posting on an online marketplace or forum. Your trash may be another person’s treasure!
Get Creative.To the crafty eye, a used carpet can be repurposed in a plethora of ways. If you have a cat, used carpet scraps are excellent for scratching posts. If you’re more of a dog lover, a carpet is a great material to line doghouses with, making them for comfortable and waterproof. If an active lifestyle is important to you, create a workout mat using your old carpet. If you get creative, the repurposed carpeting ideas are endless!
When in doubt, recycle. If your rug is too shabby to give away or repurpose, or you just don’t have the time to try, then recycling your carpet is always the way to go. There are two parts of a carpet that are of use when thinking about recycling: the carpet pad, and the carpet itself. Check online for local carpet recycling centers; many carpet stores and carpet installation centers accept recycled carpets also. Before handing your carpet over, be sure that your carpet and carpet pad are dry with minimal loose dirt!
Carpet installation is a great way to spruce up any living space, but these tips enable you to do it in an ecologically responsible manner. There’s nothing better than living green and stylishly!
