Material Collection
Carpet
Synthetic carpets are complex in their composition and chemistry. The many components used to make a durable carpet present a variety of hazards in their backing, pile, and surface treatments. There is a litany of additives used to resist mildew, stains, and fire which makes it essential to examine each component of a carpet product before accepting it as "healthier".
Below are a few examples of carpets that meet our rigorous evaluation. For further help on your own search for healthier carpet products, scroll down to "Spec Guidance.
Carpet
6 products
About Our Collections
The goal of our collections is to help promote transparency in the material ingredients of building products by fostering knowledge and awareness of products and materials for which life-cycle information is available, and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts.
Keep an eye out for the following symbols:
A Healthier Affordable Building Product
Products with the designation of "Healthier & Affordable" were specified and installed in at least one of our Case Studies of healthier affordable housing.
Available at the Donghia healthier Materials Library
The Donghia healthier Materials Library library is open to Parsons student and faculty. Learn more about access and opening hours here.
Low Embodied Carbon
“Embodied Carbon” is the total amount of carbon emitted during the process of making a material. *HML refers to a manufacturer's EPD to determine whether a product's A1-A3 carbon emissions falls within HML's threshold for Low Embodied Carbon.
New Product
This product has been added to the collection within the past six months.
Product in Development
Products with this designation identify they are currently scaling or only available in markets outside of the building industry. they could be experimental or in use in capsule collections.
Available in the EU
Products with this designation are currently available only in the European Union and identified as being an exemplary healthy option in the respective product group.
Ingredient Disclosures
There are several ways of evaluating a material’s health that we include with product information. Disclosures are reports by manufacturers about product ingredients, impacts, or other attributes.
Key Disclosures include:
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
A voluntary technical specification for reporting information on product contents and associated health information, intended to be the health-analogue to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Declare Label
Declare is a transparency platform and product database that answers three questions:
1. Where does a product come from?
2. What is it made of?
3. Where does it go at the end of its life?
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
A standardized format for communicating the environmental effects associated with a product’s raw materials extraction, energy use, chemical makeup, waste generation, and emissions to air, soil, and water.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
A reporting format that provides basic information about a material’s chemical ingredients, the potential safety hazards to installers, and recommended practices for installation.
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the goal of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products.
Other
| Manufacturer | Product | Ingredient Disclosures |
|---|---|---|
| Tretford | ECO Carpet Tile |
ECO Carpet TileUsed in Healthier Affordable HousingAvailable At the Donghia Materials LibraryTretford's ECO carpet tile is made from Cashmere goat hair fibers and a phthalate-free, 100% post-consumer recycled PET backing. The Cashmere fibers naturally filter dust and allergens from the air and are incredibly durable. The tile's unique construction also allows the carpet to be cut in any direction, including circles, without fraying or damage, enabling limitless design opportunities. CategoryWoven Carpet Tile, WoolManufacturerTretford
Material composition*Face: Goat Hair 70%, Nylon 15%, Backing: Post-Consumer Recycled PET 50% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZING19”x 19” Tile COLORSAvailable in a variety of colors CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Additional DocumentsLast UpdatedDecember 07, 2022 |
| Patcraft | EcoWorx Carpet Tile |
EcoWorx Carpet TileAvailable At the Donghia Materials LibraryLow-Embodied Carbon MaterialPatcraft's EcoWorx carpet tile is a non-PVC backed carpet tile. Per manufacturer, all EcoWorx carpet tile with nylon are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver. Reverse is an exception, as the manufacturer set out to obtain a Gold level certification. Using a carefully curated selection of yarn colors for the collection, the styles of Reverse were able to pass the Cradle to Cradle Product Standard's Restricted Substance List (RSL) to achieve Gold in the Material Health pillar. This HPD relates to several EcoWorx collections, including Reverse and Artefact. All pigments fall below the 1000 ppm reporting threshold for the HPD and most pigments fall below the 100 ppm threshold for Declare, hence no need for separate (HPD/Declare) certifications for the C2C Gold collection. Shaw guarantees free reclamation and recycling at the end of use. Per Patcraft's product-specific EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. CategoryTufted Carpet Tile, SyntheticManufacturerPatcraft
Material composition*Calcium Carbonate 22-58%, Ethene-1-Octene Copolymer 5-15%, Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH) 3-8%, Hydrocarbons C6-20 2-5%, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 2-5%, Vinyl Acetate/Ethylene Copolymer 2-5%, Fiberglass 1-3%, Quartz 0.5-5%, Ethylene/Hexane-1Copolymer .1-2%, Nylon 6 Polymer 0-51%, Nylon 6.6 0-50%, Modified Acrylic Binder 0-1%, Polyvinyl Alcohol 0-1%, Resin Acids/Rosin Acids, Esters with Triethylene Glycol 0-1%, Tridecyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 0-1%, Undisclosed 0-1% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZINGTile sizes are dependent on collection, ranging from 12"x48" x 24"x24" COLORSAvailable in a range of colorways CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Cradle to Cradle | Gold
NSF/ANSI 140 | Gold
CRI Green Label Plus
Contributes to LEED credits
Additional DocumentsLast UpdatedJanuary 23, 2024 |
| Mohawk | Nylon Modular Carpet Tiles on EcoFlex NXT |
Nylon Modular Carpet Tiles on EcoFlex NXTMohawk's EcoFlex NXT Modular Carpet Tiles are Living Building Challenge Red-List Free. One of the company's product lines with this composition, the Lichen Collection, is the first flooring product to achieve the International Living Future Institute’s Living Product Challenge Petal Certification. Additionally, this product is designed to be installed using Mohawk's FlexLok tabs, the only red-list free carpet installation system on the market. These carpet tiles have a composite construction of a tufted
nylon face, primary backing, fiberglass scrim, pre-coat polymer with an extruded polyolefin modular backing. CategoryTufted Carpet Tile, SyntheticManufacturerMohawk
Material composition*Face: Nylon 6 25-35%, Nylon 6,6 0-10%, Nylon 6 (with Stain Resistance) 0-25%; Coating: Limestone (Calcium Carbonate) 25-45%, Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer 10-20%, Calcium Carbonate 8-10%; Primary Backing: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 4-10%, 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Methyl Ester, Polymer with 1,3-Butadiene (Butadiene Acrylate) 1-5%, Polypropylene 0.01-1%, 2,5-Furandione, Polymer with Ethene and 1-Propene 0.01-0.1%, Polyethylene 0.001-0.05%; Scrim: Continuous Filament Glass Fiber (Non-Respirable) 1-2%, 2-Propenoic Acid, Butyl Ester, Polymer with Ethyl 2-Propenoate, N-(Hydroxylmethyl)-2-Propenamide, 2-Propenamide and 2-Propenenitrile 0.01-0.2%; Topical: Benzenesulfonic Acid, Hydroxy-, Monosodium Salt, Polymer with Formaldehyde and 4,4’-Sulfonylbis[phenol] 0.001-0.05%, 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Butyl Ester, Polymer with Butyl 2-Propenoate and Methyl 2-Methyl-2-Propenoate 0-1% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZING12"x36" tiles COLORSA wide range of colorways CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Declare | Red List Free
Additional DocumentsLast UpdatedMarch 18, 2024 |
| Mohawk | EverStrand Residential Broadloom Carpet |
EverStrand Residential Broadloom CarpetEverStrand contains a minimum of 50% plastic post-consumer recycled content that was diverted from landfills, waterways, and oceans. The product is Red List Free, CDPH Compliant, and is disclosed through its self-declared HPD and DECLARE label. It is also 100% recyclable and is part of Mohawk's take back program. CategoryTufted Carpet Tile, SyntheticManufacturerMohawk
Material composition*Face: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 50-55%; Coating: Limestone (Calcium Carbonate) 30-35%, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 0.01-0.10%, Magnesium Carbonate impurity; Primary Backing: Propene, Homopolymer, Isotactic (Propylene Homopolymer) 2-5%; Secondary Backing: Propene, Homopolymer, Isotactic 2-5%, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) (Polyester) 2-5%; Dyes and Pigments: C.I. Disperse Yellow 64 0-0.10%, 9,10-Anthracedione, 1.5-Diaminichloro-4,8-Dihydroxy 0.00-0.10%, C.I. Disperse Blue 60 0-0.10%, 3-Pyridinecarbonitriles, 5-[(4-Chloro-2-Nitrophenyl) Azo]-1-Ethyl-1,2-Dihydro- ID: 70528-90-4 6-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2-Oxo 0-0.10%, C.I. 10338 0-0.10%, C.I. Disperse Red 60 0-0.10%; Topical: 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Butyl Ester, Polymer with Butyl 2-Propenoate and Methyl 2-Methyl-2-Propenoate 0-1%, 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Polymer with Butyl 2-Propenoate 0-1%, Alkenes, C14-16 Alpha-, Sulfanated, Sodium Salts 0-1% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZING12' Wide, Roll COLORSA wide range of colorways CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Declare
Declare | Red List Free
CRI Green Label Plus
Last UpdatedMarch 18, 2024 |
| Interface | Interface Carpet Tile |
Interface Carpet TileAvailable At the Donghia Materials LibraryLow-Embodied Carbon MaterialThe Embodied Beauty carpet collection by Interface takes strides towards healthier carpets through recycled Nylon yarns and its two biobased backing systems. The collection is Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver and Red List Free. The Shishu Stitch, Tokyo Texture and Zen Stitch carpets use the CQuest BioX Backing System. This backing contains 74% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program. The BioX backings include carbon sequesting biochar as a filler. Interface has been GreenCircle Certified for their ReEntry Take Back Recycling program, with their carpets being 65-75% recyclable. The CQuest Bio backing system is a standard option on all Interface carpet tiles. This backing contains 47% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program. It is GreenHealth Approved from HealthCare without Harm. Per Interface’s EPD, this carpet collection and backing system meet HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. CategoryTufted Carpet Tile, SyntheticManufacturerInterface
Material composition*Carpet Tile with CQUEST BIOX: Bio-Based Filler 28%, Bioester 16%, Nylon 13%, EVA 11%, Post-Consumer Recycled Nylon 7%, Pre-Consumer Recycled Limestone 7%, Vinyl Acetate Emulsion 5%, Pre/Post Consumer Recycled Polyester 3%, Alumina Trihydrate 3%, Biobased Oil 2%, Pre-Consumer Recycled Nylon 2%, Fiberglass Mat 1%, Antioxidant 1%, Polypropylene 1%, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer 0.2-0.3%, Starch Soluble 0.2-0.3%, Acetic Acid Ethenyl Ester, Polymer with Ethenol 0.10%, Alcohols c12-14-Secondary Beta (2-Hydroxyethoxy-ethoxylsted E0 10 Moles) 0.10%, White Mineral Oil 0.10%, Titanium Dioxide 0.10%, Carbon Black 0.10% Carpet Tile with CQUEST BIO: Pre-consumer Recycled Limestone 43%, Post-Consumer Recycled Nylon 12%, Bioester 8%, EVA 7%, Pre-Consumer Recycled Nylon 6%, Vinyl Acetate Emulsion 5%, Bio-Based Filler 4%, Nylon 3%, Pre/Post Consumer Recycled Polyester 3%, Alumina Trihydrate 3%, Bio-based oil 2%, Polypropylene 1%, Fiberglass Mat 1%, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer 0.2-0.3%, Starch Soluble 0.2-0.3%, Acetic Acid Ethenyl Ester, Polymer with Ethenol 0.10%, Alcohols, c12-14-Secondary, Beta (2-Hydroxyethoxy-ethoxylsted E0 10 Moles) 0.10%, White Mineral Oil 0.10%, Titanium Dioxide 0.10%, Carbon Black 0.10% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZING25cm x 1m CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Cradle to Cradle | Silver
Declare | Red List Free
CRI Green Label Plus
GreenCircle Certified
GreenCircle Certified
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Last UpdatedFebruary 14, 2024 |
| Shaw Contract | Ecoworx Carpet Tile |
Ecoworx Carpet TileAvailable At the Donghia Materials LibraryShaw's EcoWorx carpet tile is a non-PVC backed carpet tile. Per manufacturer, all EcoWorx carpet tile with nylon are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver. The HPD relates to several EcoWorx products, including Truism, Adage and Belief Ecoworx tiles. They meet the Green Label Plus certification for low VOCS and contribute to LEED credits. EcoWorx contains 25% pre-consumer recycled content. Shaw guarantees free reclamation and recycling at the end of use. CategoryTufted Broadloom Carpet, SyntheticManufacturerShaw Contract
Material composition*Calcium Carbonate 22-58%, Ethene-1-Octene Copolymer 5-15%, Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH) 3-8%, Hydrocarbons C6-20 2-5%, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 2-5%, Vinyl Acetate/Ethylene Copolymer 2-5%, Fiberglass 1-3%, Quartz 0.5-5%, Ethylene/Hexane-1Copolymer .1-2%, Nylon 6 Polymer 0-51%, Nylon 6.6 0-50%, Modified Acrylic Binder 0-1%, Polyvinyl Alcohol 0-1%, Resin Acids/Rosin Acids, Esters with Triethylene Glycol 0-1%, Tridecyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 0-1%, Undisclosed 0-1% *as reported by the manufacturer AVAILABLE SIZING18 x 36in CERTIFICATIONS & DISCLOSURES
Health Product Declaration (HPD)
Declare Label
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
USDA Certified Biobased Product Label
Other
Cradle to Cradle | Silver
CRI Green Label Plus
SCS | Indoor Advantage Gold
Last UpdatedAugust 25, 2023 |
The products in this collection have all been evaluated holistically for their contents and performance. To be considered, a product must disclose at least 75% of its ingredients by weight. It should avoid the biggest health concerns (such as those indicated in the HML Spec guidance for this product category) or be third-party certified.
Aluminium Hydroxide or Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH), CAS# 21645-51-2 is used as a flame retardant and a filler in many building products. As it is a Greenscreen BM-2, the Lab continues to watch the scientific evaluation of this substance.
Spec Guidance
Prefer carpet tiles that attach with carpet tacks as opposed to adhesives. Carpet tacks allow for easy replacement of damaged tiles, and tend to be free of toxic additives that are common in traditional adhesives.
Avoid carpets with stain-resistant treatments such as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals (such as PFOA and PFOS) are persistent in the environment and linked to a wide range of health issues. Several companies have eliminated or are working on avoiding PFAs in their products.
Avoid carpets with vinyl and polyurethane backings — these often contain harmful plasticizers and/or flame retardants.
Avoid carpets containing fly ash, which may contain heavy metals such as mercury.
Look to established standards. The city of San Francisco currently has some of the strictest restrictions around carpets. Among other requirements, carpets must be Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver or higher, have HPDs or Declare labels, and be free of flame retardants, PFAs, fly ash, PVC, and polyurethane. (San Francisco Department of the Environment)
Updated July 16, 2019
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