The Downside of Recycled Carpet

In today’s market, we know that quality home essentials can be costly. Therefore, when a
seemingly cheaper option becomes available, some of us jump at the opportunity to save some money
and have nice items in our homes. This is great! However, not everything that we come across is going
to be as good as we think. Take carpet for example. Those of us that like carpet in the home tend to
head toward the plusher side of things. This said, that is not always the most fiscally feasible option that
is available on the market. That is why some people lean toward recycled carpet. While it seems like a
win-win situation, with thinking you’re helping the environment, and making your wallet happy, it might not be all it’s cracked up to be.

Normally, carpet can last five to fifteen years, depending on the material and the underlying
padding. Recycled carpet though only lasts about two to three years due to its inability to withstand
wear and tear over a longer length of time. Thus, the consumer then must keep replacing the recycled
carpet, much faster than you would if regular arpet was purchased. Because carpet naturally gets
walked on by its owners, guests and even pets, the material that your carpet is made out of is
important. Not only does it matte and wear down fast, but recycled carpet is also harder to clean than
regular carpet. You may be asking yourself why? Well, this is because of a couple different things.

Firstly, the fibers in the carpet have no elasticity. This is important for cleaning and regular maintenance purposes, such as vacuuming. A lack of elasticity is also one of the causes of its poor shelf life. Now, because recycled carpet is made from petroleum based synthetic fiber (crude oil), harsher cleaning solutions are needed to address stains in the fibers. This might not be what you want to hear, seeing as most people are trying to get rid of harsh cleaning solutions within the home. The next point we want to cover is the cosmetic side. As aforementioned, carpet that has been made from recycled material mattes down and needs to be replaced at a faster rate. The reason being that the fibers are plastic. This means that they are rigid and unforgiving, which causes them to distort easily. So, cosmetically, recycled carpet might not be the best choice.

Now, I know that cosmetics is not the only thing to care about sometimes when it comes to the
environment. That is completely understandable. Nevertheless, with the additional responsibility and
purchasing that comes with recycled carpet, it might be best to stick to regular carpet. Having harsh
chemicals in your home and having to keep acquiring a replacement every two to three years doesn’t
sound like something that most people can or want to do. You also might not want items made
essentially from crude oil in your dwelling place. Not to mention the cosmetic downside. It is
understandable to want to save some money and do something better for the environment in the
meantime, but the consumer needs to be aware of the upkeep and financial responsibility that comes with it.