Sustainable Flooring Guide

Sustainable flooring is about more than the material. How a floor is made, what it gives off into the air at home, how long it lasts and whether it can be recycled at the end all matter. This guide explains what to look for and the certifications that back up green claims, with examples from the brands we carry.

What makes a floor sustainable?

• Material: renewable or recycled content, such as fast-growing bamboo, wool, or carpet with recycled backing.
• Indoor air: low emissions of VOCs and formaldehyde, which matters for the air you breathe at home.
• Durability: a floor that lasts 20 years is usually better than one that needs replacing in 8, whatever it is made of.
• End of life: whether the floor can be recycled or taken back by the maker.
• Independent proof: certifications and ratings, rather than words like “eco” or “green” on the box.

Certifications worth knowing

Carpet

Carpet makers have done a lot of work on certification. Many of the carpets we sell carry ECS Level 4 or 4+, and plenty are also Declare Red List Free, including Feltex Hemisphere, Redbook Scenic View and Hycraft Chatsworth. Other options:

• Wool is a natural, renewable fibre. EC Hause is 100% New Zealand wool and ECS 4+ certified.
• Triexta is partly plant-based; Redbook Freedom is an example.
• Carpet tiles with recycled content: Airlay Geoform has at least 55% recycled content in its backing, about 40% of the product by weight. Victoria Regenerate uses nylon with recycled content on a recycled backing.

Vinyl and safety vinyl

Vinyl is a plastic, but the better commercial ranges are independently rated and recyclable.

• Polysafe Quattro PUR carries GreenTag GreenRate Level A and LCARate Gold Plus, and is 100% recyclable.
• Expona Commercial PUR is GreenTag GreenRate Level A and recyclable through Recofloor and Resiloop.
• Armstrong Natural Creations is GreenTag GreenRate Level A and low VOC to Green Building Council rates.
• Airlay’s AquaSafe is phthalate free with approved TVOC emissions.

Bamboo, timber and laminate

Bamboo grows quickly and is harvested without killing the plant. BT Bamboo Strand is rated E0 for formaldehyde emissions. Our guide to bamboo vs engineered hardwood compares the two.

Engineered timber uses a thin layer of hardwood over a stable core, so less hardwood goes into each board than in solid timber. Swish Native Hardwood is rated E1. For laminate, check the emission class too: Swish Aqua laminate is below E1.

Hybrid

Hybrid flooring is not made from natural materials, but some ranges are tested for what they give off. Heartridge hybrids are tested free of silica and phthalates and are low VOC, and the Ornato herringbone hybrid has an A+ VOC rating. A long warranty is also a sign the floor is built to last.

Tips for a greener floor

• Ask for the certification, not just the claim, and check it applies to the exact range.
• Choose a floor suited to the room, so it lasts. A floor that fails early is the least sustainable choice.
• Ask about low-VOC adhesives for glued floors.
• Look after the floor: regular cleaning and the right products extend its life. See our floor care guide.
• Where you can, lay new flooring over a sound existing floor rather than ripping it out. Our guide to flooring over tiles explains when this works.

Ask our team about the certifications on any range, visit a showroom in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, or book a free measure and quote.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most sustainable flooring?

There is no single answer. Bamboo and wool are renewable, many carpets carry ECS Level 4+ certification, and some commercial vinyls are 100% recyclable. A durable floor that suits the room and lasts many years is often the most sustainable choice.

What does ECS Level 4+ mean on carpet?

ECS is the Carpet Institute of Australia’s Environmental Certification Scheme. Level 4+ is its best-practice level.

Is bamboo flooring eco-friendly?

Bamboo grows quickly and regrows after harvesting, which makes it a renewable material. Check the emission rating too; BT Bamboo Strand is rated E0.

Can vinyl flooring be recycled?

Some can. Polyflor’s Expona Commercial PUR can be recycled through Recofloor and Resiloop, and several Polysafe ranges are 100% recyclable.

What is Declare Red List Free?

It is a label showing a product is free of the chemicals on the Living Future Red List. Many Feltex, Redbook and Godfrey Hirst carpets carry it.