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Green Carpet Padding
Carpet and carpet padding are omnipresent in the hospitality industry. Anywhere people put their feet, from hotel lobbies to guest rooms to convention centers and restaurants, there's carpet. Unfortunately, this industry contributes to a huge burden on our landfills and solid-waste disposal systems, as somewhere around 4 billion pounds of carpet and padding land there in the US alone.
The hospitality industry is greening operations on a regular basis. Some are choosing eco-friendly, carpeting made of recycled materials. Recycled carpeting looks like traditional carpeting so neither customers nor hoteliers can tell the difference. Some properties replacing their carpeting are recycling the old material. Less noticeable than recycled carpet is green carpet padding.
Carpet padding is an important component of the function and durability of carpet, and green carpet padding protects the environment. The best choice is a padding that's durable and made of environmentally friendly materials. Eco-friendly carpet padding can be made of recycled materials, just like green carpeting, or of natural materials like cotton and wool. Padding
- helps insulate the floor, which saves energy
- improves the guest comfort
- aids sound reduction
- reduces oil dependence, a critically important feature, in my opinion
- cuts bacteria, mildew, and mold
Green carpet padding used in the hospitality industry must meet EPA standards. It should be made of recycled materials, have no dangerous or toxic chemicals, and have low total VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions. The padding must meet strict standards, such as those set by the Green Label testing program. All companies offering green carpet padding to the hospitality industry must submit their products to these tests in order to be able to label their products as truly eco-friendly.
Some green carpet padding is even made from 100% sheep wool and is ideal for engineered, hardwood, or laminate floors. Other types of padding are made especially for those who suffer from allergies and asthma, and are made of memory foam. Hypoallergenic products provide comfort and won't aggravate respiratory conditions.
Most companies offering green carpet padding for commercial and hospitality use guarantee that when replacing the carpet and padding, they will divert the old materials from landfills. Healthier Choice is one such company. Given dump fees are increasing, this approach helps reduce costs. Reducing the amount of non-decomposable products in our landfills is an important green idea.
As more customers green their lives, you can be sure more and more hotels, restaurants, and convention centers will follow by using environmentally friendly flooring. If you have carpeting, make it recycled, and put green carpet padding underneath it.
Posted by Kit
