6 Sustainable, Non-Toxic, & Fair Trade Rug Brands
Rugs can be a game changer in how a room looks and feels. They also have a range of practical benefits - from warming your home, to reducing noise and protecting your floor.
Rugs may feel good under your feet but their footprint can be hard on the planet.
This guide will explore the sustainable rug brands that value natural and recycled materials, having a transparent supply chain, and creating high quality products crafted to last for years to come.
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Eco-friendly Materials to Look for in Rugs
As the demand for sustainable products increases, brands are increasingly making sustainable rugs out of natural and recycled materials.
Wool
Luxurious and soft to the touch, wool is loved for its beauty but it also has outstanding green credentials. Wool is renewable and abundant, making it the ultimate sustainable material.
Wool rugs are also biodegradable at the end of their lifecycle. Just be sure that the wool isn't mixed with any synthetic materials when disposing of this material.
Hemp
Hemp fabric is one of the strongest natural plant fibers. Hence, it’s very durable and great for high traffic areas of the home.
Cotton
Cotton is an environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative to wool. Cotton is considered sustainable if grown without the use of pesticides, from seeds which have not been genetically modified.
If you cotton is your material of choice try to choose organic cotton rugs. You can easily look for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification to identify organic cotton products.
Recycled materials
Rugs made with recycled materials can be a force of good when used in rugs as they diminish reliance on fossil fuels, reduce use of natural resources and alleviate pressure on landfills. Plus this is a great way to give old materials a new life!
On top of what the rug is made of, look for third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX, GOTS, Fair Trade Certified, B Corporation or others. This is a good starting place to easily identify socially responsible brands.
6 Sustainable Rug Brands for Eco-friendly Homes
Whether you’re looking for a runner, a living room area rug, a dining room rug, or a decorative piece spruce up a corner of your home, this guide will help style to your space — and discover brands who value social responsibility.
Discover organic rugs, ethical rugs, and more. By investing in a high quality rug, this is usually more sustainable because it won't have to be replaced. One of the problems with conventional rugs is that they can fall apart quickly due to the cheap materials.
Made Trade's Ethical Artisan Made Rugs
Made Trade is a women-owned, family-run online marketplace that sources high-quality, sustainable goods. Made Trade offers a wide range of rugs made of sustainable materials for both indoor and outdoor use.
In terms of style, the rug selection is about as comprehensive as it comes - their website features about 20 rug collections, each with unique and specific design qualities for virtually all preferences.
All rugs are made in the USA or by artisans around the world using mindful practices, traditional techniques, ethical labor practices, and eco-friendly materials.
Their rugs feature a variety of colors and styles including bath rugs, area rugs, runners, and more. Their rugs start at $55.
Healthier Homes Non-toxic Rugs
Healthier Homes is like Whole Foods for your house. They are a great source of natural, organic, nontoxic home furnishings for healthy and happy living spaces, including sustainable home decor and rugs.
Made from materials such as 100% cotton and wool, their sustainable rugs are both durable, and soft with a comfortable feel. They are also free of AZO dyes, BPA, flame retardants, formaldehyde or PVC.
If you’re going for a luxurious, bohemian vibe, Healthier Homes has a lot of options to choose from in neutral and rustic tones, as well as a variety of sizes to fit any room.
They’re beautiful, trendy, and won’t break the bank. Their rugs made with natural fibers start at $110.
This conscious brand also partners with charitable non-profits like Half United and Kalalou. Every purchase goes towards fighting hunger and providing gainful employment opportunities in countries all over the world.
Use the discount code HONEST for 10% off your Healthier Homes order!
West Elm's Eco-friendly Rugs with Modern Design
If you’re in the market for a stunning, modern, sustainable rug, West Elm has no shortage of stylish options that will work beautifully in your space.
Whether you want a small outdoor rug or large bedroom addition, the brand has every size you need in a huge selection of abstract prints and bright colors.
A good portion of their rugs are free from azo dyes, flame retardants, formaldehyde, and other concerning chemicals. West Elm also partners with Fair Trade Certified factories and artisan groups to create ethically made rugs. Look for the fair trade symbol on some of their rugs.
We purchased an eco-friendly area rug from West Elm back in 2018. We've been so impressed with how durable the rug has been especially since it's in our living room, a higher traffic area. We also love how it adds a pop of color to our space!
West Elm's sustainable options include wool rugs, just rugs, seagrass rugs, and more. Their eco-friendly rugs start at $60.
Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Rugs
Ten Thousand Villages is a beautiful source for globally inspired and ethical handcrafted products, including a line of sustainable rugs.
Working in partnership with artists from more than 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. the non-profit fair trade organization produces bold, rugs using fair trade practices.
The eco-friendly floor rugs are mostly made of recycled and natural materials through production methods that are environmentally sustainable.
You can pick from seven sizes, including runners and round options and you’ll also find the right color and pattern to go in any room.
Ten Thousand Villages ethically made rugs start at $395.
Beyond being one of the top online marketplaces for fair trade products, Ten Thousand Villages works to create opportunities for artisans in artisan communities abroad. Shoppers can also make donations to support interest-free microfinance investments to help artisans stay in business and out of debt.
Fair Trade Winds Rugs Made from Recycled Materials
Need colorful, bold options that can function both indoors and outdoors? Try Fair Trade Winds’ gorgeous line of sustainable area rugs.
This fair trade marketplace carries stylish, designer-quality indoor outdoor rugs — but with sustainable, ethical manufacturing practices. Fair Trade Winds works with artisans in Thailand to create durable rugs with fun designs.
These rugs are made from 100% recycled plastic. They’re reversible, UV-protected, waterproof, stain proof, fade proof, and mildew resistant. These are an excellent option if you're looking for something for your patio!
Conscious consumers can choose from 19 different patterns and style options, ranging from bohemian chic to geometric patterns. Their rugs are made in small batches and available in two different sizes: 4 x 6 feet and 5 x 8 feet.
Fair Trade Winds works with artisan co-ops and small workshops that are committed to sustainable practices. They provide fair wages and give artisans the tools to invest time and money into their talents, community, healthcare, and education.
Fair Trade Winds rugs range from $100-$140.
Outer's Sustainable Outdoor Rugs
Outer is a brand known for amazing sustainable outdoor furniture, but their outdoor rugs are an incredibly unique product.
With neutral colors and the right amount of texture and pattern, Outer rugs are versatile enough to match your personal style without being boring, durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and the elements, while still being eco-friendly enough to reduce your overall environmental impact.
Outer eco-friendly rugs are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles with premium-grade resins. Just one rug is said to divert up to 1188 recycled plastic bottles from landfills!
They come in colors and several sizes ranging from 3 to 12 feet in diameter to accommodate any outdoor gathering space.
Outer ensures fair wages, health care, and a safe working environment. It also partners with effective nonprofits and pledges 1% for the Planet.
Outer's eco-friendly outdoor rugs start at $525.
The Environmental Impact of Rugs
Similar to fast fashion, home goods are also mass produced. This can result in a negative environmental impact due to the materials and energy used. Not to mention the crazy amounts of waste.
Landfill Waste
The U.S. carpet industry produces billions of square feet of rugs every year. Less than 5% is recycled while the rest ends up in the U.S. landfills totaling to staggering 4.7 billion pounds.
Plastic Pollution
Most rugs are made from plastic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester. They’re not only derived from fossil fuels, they stay in the environment for a very long time, taking nearly hundreds of years to break down in landfill.
Health Risks
Synthetic rugs are also potentially toxic, especially when kept inside. The majority are treated with chemical dyes, glues, volatile organic compounds, and flame retardants that can pollute the air in your home.
A study published in the EU in 2018, identified over 59 hazardous substances found in drugs, including endocrine disruptors and carcinogens linked to serious health conditions such as cancers and fertility problems. To avoid these toxic materials consider shopping for a natural fiber rug.
Hopefully this guide has helped you find some inspiration for sustainable brands to shop when it's time to buy a new rug. Be sure to check out our guide on eco-friendly door mats too!
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