If you've ever stepped into a freshly-carpeted room, you will know the distinct odour that comes with it. Kind of fresh, kind of chemically, it's a smell that announces that the decorators have done their jobs, and suggests that anybody entering the room will be asked to leave their shoes in the doorway. It's a dying smell, though. At trade fairs and showrooms across the world, that 'new carpet' smell is disappearing as the carpeting industry finds new, healthier ways to manufacture its products.
The problem with that 'new carpet' smell is that it's produced by the off-gassing of VOCs, like 4-PCH, which is commonly used in carpeting. VOCs are known to cause rashes, eye irritation and respiratory problems.
According to the US non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), most carpeting around the world is made from synthetic fibres derived from non-renewable petroleum-based sources, while carpet backing is usually made from synthetic rubber derived from respiratory irritants such as styrene and butadiene. The harmful fumes from those synthetic rubbers, fibres, adhesives, bonding agents and stain-resistant finishers are what you are really breathing in every time you sigh with satisfaction at the soft feeling under your feet.
Those chemicals and compounds are also what makes carpeting difficult to recycle. Unable to separate the fibres from the underlay or the various VOCs from each other, many recycling collector/ sorter entrepreneurs do not bother with the discarded carpets that come their way. 'Most people don't understand but carpet is a highly engineered material; Bruce Petrovick, account manager for the Dutch manufacturing company DSM told Fast Company. 'The way it's traditionally made, it contains multiple layers, and each layer contains multiple different types of materials.
This story is from the Garden&Home; July 2023 edition of South African Garden and Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Garden&Home; July 2023 edition of South African Garden and Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BRING THE HEAT
Upgrade your outdoor living space this autumn with the essential element of fire
Art In The Karoo
Artist Yvette Hess sometimes finds herself on the wrong planet
FALL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Autumn is the season of sustainability in the garden, providing plenty of opportunities to recycle your waste and consider the environment
Start the Fire
Dust off your fireplace to get it ready for the cooler months
Lazy Lunches
Easy lunchtime recipes that will go down a treat, whether you're looking for something light, hearty or sweet
The Year in HOUSEPLANTS
The houseplant trends of 2024 show a significant shift in the urban gardens of previous years
Nature & Nurture
A botanist-turned-artist in South Africa's Cape Winelands creates lifelike insects using decayed and preserved natural materials he forages
Positive Influence
An interior stylist has transformed a formerly dull house into one that is rich with decorative detail, from eclectic artworks to vintage pieces
BEAUTY SPOT
This bold Victorian home in Cape Town is a triumph of confidence in colour, peppered with nostalgic references
WEAVING NATURE INTO - MASTERPIECES
South African artists are known worldwide for their creativity and contributions to the art community on a global scale. With sustainability at the forefront of many industries, it has become a buzzword that has been trending across the board, and for good reason