Atlanta, Ga.—Flor, a high-end residential area rug brand, introduced carbon negative area rugs as part of its spring collection. Inspired by nature, these area rugs pair an on-trend design with a low environmental impact, resulting in a finished product that brings together durability, beautiful design and a negative carbon footprint, according to the company.
Three carbon negative area rug styles, Peninsula, Stratosphere and Hemisphere, have the ability to store more carbon than they release all the way from raw material extraction through manufacturing, the company said. The innovation does not include the purchase of carbon offsets, which Flor also does for the remainder of the product’s lifecycle.
“The carbon negative area rug innovation is a continuation of our commitment to lower our carbon footprint through responsibly sourced materials, manufacturing powered by renewable energy and innovative backing technology,” said James Pope, general manager, Flor. “This launch represents an exciting milestone for Flor as we look to make it easier to be a part of the beautiful, healthy homes today’s consumers are creating. Importantly, environmental responsibility is part of the criteria more and more customers are considering in their purchasing decisions, which means this launch fills an important marketplace need for today’s home.”
Creating area rugs with carbon
Inspired by nature’s carbon-storing ability, Flor said it utilizes plant-based materials that have sequestered carbon to develop its CQuest BioX backing, which has a negative carbon footprint. The CQuest backings line, developed by parent company Interface, utilizes new bio-based materials and more recycled content than ever before. Flors’ new materials in the CQuest backing, Econyl yarn and new manufacturing process, all result in a carbon negative area rug.
According to the company, this means these innovative rug styles have drawn more carbon from the air than they release from the extraction of raw materials through manufacturing. This keeps the carbon from entering the atmosphere where it would otherwise contribute to global warming.
“Flor’s journey to sustainability is truly woven into everything it does and this carbon negative innovation is the brand’s latest milestone in lowering its carbon footprint while helping its customers live their sustainability values,” said Lisa Conway, vice president of sustainability, Interface. “It’s exciting to see this carbon innovation that first launched in the commercial side of our business make its way to residential spaces. These new area rugs make it easier for today’s consumer to lower their footprint without sacrificing style.”
The brand said it plans to launch additional styles that further benefit the planet and that its future carbon negative rugs will be labeled with a special symbol to make it easier to select products with the lowest carbon footprint.
Nature-inspired designs
According to the company, each design is inspired by nature:
- Peninsula takes inspiration from the bands of land and water that surround this namesake landform, shown through its gently rolling stripes of color. It is available in black, mahogany and gray.
- Hemisphere grounds interior spaces with a design that mimics the Earth’s layers. Available in black, pigeon and tan.
- Stratosphere is a light and breezy style inspired by the atmosphere. Available in black, pigeon and tan.
Flor said its carbon negative styles must be installed with the brand’s new FLORdot.