Can You Recycle Vinyl Flooring?

The big push in the flooring business today is how to address the growing issue of recycling. Consumers are becoming more and more conscious of how their buying choices affect the environment both inside and outside their homes.

When it comes to flooring, industry, government and concerned citizens have begun to work together on ways to reduce the potential negative environmental consequence that comes from disposing of used flooring materials.

The short answer to the question of whether you can recycle used vinyl flooring is yes. Vinyl flooring products are no exception to the recycling movement and like many types of plastic products, strategies and methods for safely disposing of and reusing these materials are growing, often into profitable businesses.

There are two ways of looking at the recycling of vinyl flooring. One way is to consider how the disposal of used vinyl flooring can be accomplished in an environmentally friendly way. The other involves the decision to use vinyl flooring and whether the vinyl flooring product you choose contains a significant amount of recycle content. You can help reduce adverse effects on the environment by choosing to go as green as possible.

Vinyl flooring products like tile and sheet flooring have been around for many years and the chemical compounds used in the manufacturing of these products are not very green. The durability and the ease of installation make these products popular flooring choices for many people and can be used in a wide variety of locations around a home or business. Some of the environmental concerns about vinyl flooring begin at the very beginning of the products life cycle, the manufacturing process and end when the product is removed or replaced and discarded. In the middle, there are some environmental advantages to choosing vinyl flooring over carpet floor coverings.

Unlike carpet that can trap and hold dirt and bacteria, vinyl flooring, like other hard flooring products is easier to keep clean and sanitary than fabric floor coverings. In general, there are fewer chemicals needed to maintain modern vinyl flooring especially with the introduction of no wax floor finishes. So with the potential of less exposure to cleaning solutions and the problems that can be associated with properly disposing of waste cleaning solutions, vinyl flooring seems to have some significant advantages.

A significant environmental benefit can be realized from the growing practice of properly recycling or disposing of old vinyl flooring. The idea behind recycling is to keep used vinyl flooring out of the landfill and to prevent disposal methods like burning that can have very serious environmental and public health consequences. The increased availability of recycled material can be an incentive to manufacturers to increase the amount of recycled material used in the production of new vinyl flooring.

Linoleum was phased out several years ago but is making a comeback because it is easier and less hazardous to dispose of.

Before you recycle old vinyl flooring it may be necessary to know what type of material you are dealing with. Some products made with PVC or polyvinylchloride is not recyclable. A good idea might to be to check with your local flooring retailer for help in identifying what the old flooring is made of. Your local flooring retailer may also be able to advise you on proper disposal methods and the location of a recycling facility that will accept old vinyl flooring.

Many flooring retailers participate in a recycling program and might be willing to take the old flooring off of your hands. Some retailers may charge you a disposal fee, but the money could be well spent knowing that the old flooring is properly disposed of.

Eco Friendly Green Living Flooring Choices Made Easy!

Are you looking for an eco friendly flooring option? You will be surprised to learn that it is easy to find exactly the look and feel you’ve been searching for that is environmentally friendly and beautiful at the same time. Most of the flooring options listed below will be easy to find and comparative in price to less environmentally friendly choices.

Manufacturers of home building supplies are working hard to do their part to create more eco friendly products. And the more study and research they put into these items the better the benefits to your wallet and to the environment.

Rugs – Rugs can be made from everything from recycled soda bottles to candy wrappers and plastic bags to old blue jeans. Many of these rugs are easy to clean and can be used indoors or outdoors.

Reclaimed Hardwood – Oftentimes wood can be reclaimed from old buildings and refinished and placed in your home. This not only gives you a beautiful look, but it lessens the impact on the environment since fewer trees are being cut down.

Carpeting – Recycled carpet is not only safe for your family, but it’s safe for the environment and looks much better on your floor than in a landfill. It comes with the same durability guarantees as virgin synthetic fiber carpets. And if you recycle the carpet you’re replacing it’s a double environmentally friendly upgrade to your home.

Cork – Cork flooring is actually good for the environment and is family friendly. The cork is harvested from the bark of a living tree. This process actually stimulates the tree growth. It is soft and warm under your feet. When a plate is dropped on the floor the cushion of the cork will prevent it from breaking. The plate will leave a dent in the floor that will bounce back after a few hours.

Bamboo – Bamboo is a great choice for environmentally friendly flooring. Although bamboo may look like wood, it is actually a grass that grows back in about four years.

Linoleum – Linoleum is biodegradable and does not release toxic fumes.It can be purchase in any design or theme you might want. It is easy to install and long lasting.

Recycled Glass Floor Tiles – Those glass bottles that you’ve sent to the recycling center can find their way back into your home in the form of flooring tiles. It’s truly amazing the color options you’ll find. No two tiles are exactly alike, making your design options endless.

Now that you know how easy it is to pick out flooring that is both environmentally friendly and easier on your wallet, go ahead and get started. Decide which flooring option you’d like and take a trip to your local home improvement center.

New Types of Environmentally-Friendly Flooring Products

One of the first things home owners think of when embarking on a home improvement project is pulling up that dusty, stained and frayed old carpet. The next step is deciding what to put in its place – new carpet or some other type of flooring.

A trendy new craze sweeping the country is to replace existing carpet with environmentally friendly flooring such as reclaimed wood, linoleum, cork or bamboo. Such types of flooring are not only helpful to the environment, but are also coveted for their exquisite beauty, texture and form.

People are fast realizing the dangers of using products for the home that can be detrimental to the environment and to the residents who live in the home.

Jumping on the bandwagon, architects, builders and decorators are suggesting flooring products that protect the environment and the people who live and work in the buildings.

Advantages of Choosing Environment-Friendly Flooring Over Carpeting

If you’ve ever pulled up used carpeting in a home or other heavily-trafficked area, you’ve probably been aghast at the debris and filth hidden in the carpet and padding. The truth is that no matter how fanatical you are about vacuuming and shampooing your carpet, residue, mold and mildew will accumulate in the fibers beneath. The carpet then becomes an allergen magnet, hording germs that can affect humans and pets who come in contact with it.

Besides the advantage of avoiding allergens, the durability and beauty of wood or other environmentally correct floorings remains undisputed. It is easily cleaned and comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors to fit any décor.

Linoleum is resilient and is made from renewable substances of the earth or recycled remnants, but linoleum itself cannot be recycled because of the glue used to install it. Still, the long life gained from using linoleum has made it a popular choice for homes and offices.

The use of “reclaimed” wood found in old buildings such as barns, hotels or railroad cars is an emerging trend across the country. While the obvious character and patina of these woods are lovely and desirable, the cost can be somewhat prohibitive at around $30 per square foot. Furthermore, shoppers need to be careful to ensure they buy from a trusted source. There is also the danger of running out of wood before the project is completed if you aren’t sure to measure correctly and buy the right amount of materials.

Newer products, such as cork and bamboo are excellent choices to use in buildings that have energy savers such as radiant heat. Besides saving on energy costs, cork and bamboo can be bought for much less than wood and still have the “green tag” of being friendly to the environment.

Transform Your Home or Office with Cork or Bamboo Flooring

The rapid disappearances of our forests and rainforests have led to the research and development of new products in flooring and the reemergence of some old favorites. Cork and bamboo are forerunners in this endeavor.

Cork flooring has been popular in the United States since the 1950s. The avocado and gold colored carpet of the 70s temporarily replaced its prominence in the flooring market, but cork has now found new acceptance in environmentally conscious homes.

Anti-microbial and cushiony soft, cork is an ideal choice for parents who want to keep their homes free of allergens and also enjoy a tranquil existence by diminishing noise.

Bamboo flooring is both resilient and beautiful. Its colors, ranging from natural to amber, create an excellent background for any style of furniture or accessories. The durability of bamboo makes it a superior choice, and because of its rapid growth, bamboo usage helps to preserve our forests.

While bamboo is lightweight, it is as hard as oak, maple or redwood and has the added advantages of expanding and contracting less. It comes in tongue and groove planks for ease of installation. What’s more, bamboo’s natural imperfections lend an air of exclusivity to its look.

Jump On the “Build Green” Bandwagon When You Build or Renovate

Almost every decorating or architectural magazine that you see on the stands contains at least one article about being environmentally conscious when you build or renovate.

Indeed, there are many types of flooring that you can select to conserve energy and preserve our forests and other resources while avoiding excessive costs or future problems. Choosing the appropriate flooring for your home or office is a major decision – one that you will probably live with for a long time.

Choose wisely and “build green” whenever you can. It’s a great way to show that you care about our earth and its future.