For most people, buying a new roof is one of the most important and expensive maintenance decisions for their biggest investment. For many homeowners, the cheapest option is the default choice, while others choose a style they like and leave the details to a contractor.
It’s not always easy to find out who makes your roofing material. It can be even harder to find out if they recycle or work to minimize their environmental impact. But the impact of our roofing choices, both on our homes and on the environment, is too great to ignore.
We’ve researched roofing materials and manufacturers to make it easier to buy an eco-friendly roof. Our results are far from comprehensive, but as more consumers begin to demand this information, more manufacturers will begin to provide it. When they do, we’ll update our sustainable roofing results.
Materials
This article looks at the pros and cons of the most common manufactured roofing materials. We don’t include natural roofing materials in the comparison chart since they aren’t manufactured.
Asphalt Shingle
Asphalt is the most affordable roofing option. It’s so common that when people talk about roofing, they often mean asphalt shingles. About 75% of single-family homes in the U.S. have them.
Laminate shingles (also called architectural or dimensional) are fiberglass layered between asphalt and ceramic granules. They can be made to look like more expensive materials, such as tile, wood, and slate. Although slightly more expensive than basic three-tab asphalt shingles, laminate shingles perform better. Single-plane shingle roofs (also called 3-tab) are the easiest roofs to retrofit with a solar panel system. Several asphalt tile manufacturers offer solar-compatible or solar-integrated asphalt roofs.
Asphalt roofs usually last 20 to 25 years, but some newer, high-quality ones can last 40 years or more. While asphalt shingles can technically be recycled, most still end up in landfills. The shingles recycler, GAF, report that over 13 million tons of asphalt shingles are removed from U.S. roofs each year, and less than 10% are recycled. The rest go to landfills, where they can take 300 to 400 years to break down.
On the bright side, shingle-to-shingle recycling is improving, with CertainTeed’s RenuCore technology and GAF’s RoofCycle process helping to create more circular options for asphalt shingles.
Wood Shingle and Shake
Handmade wood shakes are valued for their natural appearance and are known for being expensive. However, machine-made wood shingles cost only a bit more than asphalt. Wood shingles can develop mold, split, or rot in damp climates.
Untreated wood shakes don’t have a fire safety rating, so many places with wildfire risk don’t allow them. Fire retardants can help wood shingles and shakes reach a Class B fire rating, and adding extra materials to the roof can help them meet Class A standards. Chemically treated shingles can’t be composted. Even with these issues, wood roofs can last 25 to 30 years, and with careful upkeep in mild climates, they may last up to 50 years.
Getting wood shingles or shakes from a local sawmill cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions from transport and ensures the wood species fits your region. Whether you buy locally or from a national brand, look for FSC-certified wood.
Metal
Metal roofing options include steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy strips. They come in various shapes and textures, from standing seam panels to shingles that resemble tile or slate. Metal can be more expensive than asphalt, but, except for copper, it remains among the more affordable long-term roofing options when lifecycle costs are considered. Proper installation and good insulation are required to minimize noise from rainfall and wind “chatter.” Metal is lightweight, virtually fireproof (Class A fire rating), and particularly suited to solar panel systems. Metal roofs last 40 to 70 years or more, and they are the most easily recycled roofing material, as metal is 100% recyclable at end of its useful life as roofing.
Tile
Tile roofs are common on Mission and Spanish-style homes in the western and southwestern U.S. While they’re often found in desert areas, some tiles, like Ludowici’s that meet ASTM C1167 frost-resistance standards, can be used in cold climates too. Roof tiles can be made from terracotta clay, ceramic, or concrete. Tile roofs are heavy and may need extra framing. Concrete tiles cost less than clay but offer many of the same benefits. Clay tile roofs can last 50 to 100 years or more, while concrete tiles usually last 40 to 50 years.
Slate
Slate roofs are heavy enough to require extra framing. As arguably the most expensive roofing material, they are not an option for most budgets. But they are also nearly indestructible, with a lifespan of 50 to 100 years or more. Be aware of the origin of the slate that will be used, as the sustainability and durability can vary. Because slate is so heavy, the distance slate tiles must be shipped will significantly affect not only the cost but the environmental impact of choosing this natural material.
Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic roofing can be made from materials like plastic, clay, rubber, or asphalt, and is often designed to look like natural materials such as slate or wood. Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) single-ply roofing, usually used on flat or low-slope roofs, is still one of the top-rated cool roofing products. GenTite offers TPO for homes, and Westlake Royal Building Products’ DaVinci roofing provides composite slate and shake roofing as lighter and more affordable alternatives to natural materials.
Not many synthetic materials have been around long enough to know how they’ll perform over time. Still, some show promise, with strong performance ratings and 50-year warranties. Synthetic roofs could be a good choice for those willing to research, but we haven’t included them in our manufactured roofing comparison below.
Roofing Rating Criteria
When reviewing sustainable roofing, we consider a variety of factors, including warranties and certifications.
Longevity
The lifespan of your roof is largely determined by the material you choose. Slate roofing has the longest average lifespan, and wood or 3-tab asphalt shingles have the shortest. However, individual products can be manufactured to higher standards, so a very good asphalt roof may last as long as an average metal one. For our comparison of manufactured roofs, we started with metal roofs ranked highest, followed by tile, then asphalt. Then we modified the manufacturers’ rankings based on warranties.
Energy Efficiency
The radiative properties of roofing materials are solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Both are rated on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 is the most reflective or emissive. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) maintains the Rated Products Directory, which is now the primary standard for evaluating roof energy performance since the ENERGY STAR roofing program ended in June 2022.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a reflective cool roof can stay more than 50°F cooler than a conventional roof under the same conditions. Cool roofs can reduce cooling energy costs by 7–15% or more, minimize temperature fluctuations inside the home, and reduce the urban heat island effect. In our comparison, we focused on manufacturers whose products are rated by the CRRC and have high solar reflectance values. Keep in mind that even top manufacturers make some products that don’t meet cool roof standards.
You can install solar panels on almost any roof, but we gave higher rankings to manufacturers that offer solar-integrated or solar-compatible roofing systems.
Recycling Practices
All of the roofing materials we considered are technically recyclable. However, in practice, many homeowners have trouble finding local recycling options — particularly for asphalt shingles. When ranking manufacturers, we considered their use of recycled materials, their recycling practices in production facilities, and their circular-economy initiatives.
Federal Tax Incentives
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, accelerated the phase-out of the Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act. The original expiration was the end of 2032, but the new expiration date was December 31, 2025. Homeowners who had qualifying cool roof products installed and operational by December 31, 2025 can still claim the credit on their 2025 tax return.
Comparison Chart
Meet the Manufacturers
Malarkey
The family-founded Malarkey Roofing Products, established in Oregon in 1956 and now a member of Holcim Building Envelope, continues to lead the industry in sustainable shingle innovation. All Malarkey shingles include 3M Smog-Reducing Granules that use photocatalytic technology to convert nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) into water-soluble nitrate salts, actively reducing air pollution. Each average-sized roof has a smog-fighting effect equivalent to planting approximately two trees, according to data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and 3M.
Malarkey’s proprietary NEX® Polymer Modified (Rubberized) Asphalt incorporates upcycled rubber from tires and post-consumer plastics into the shingle asphalt, diverting waste from landfills while improving durability. Their 2024 Sustainability Report noted cumulative totals of approximately 6.8 million upcycled rubber tires and 4.5 billion upcycled plastic bags diverted from landfills. All three Malarkey manufacturing facilities are GreenCircle Certified for both Recycled Product Content and Waste Diversion from Landfill.
Ludowici
Ludowici has been making clay tiles from locally sourced materials harvested within six miles of the plant, since 1888. They offer a 75-year warranty on standard products, with an expected lifespan of more than a century. Many of Ludowici’s 58 standard colors provide a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) greater than 39, making them an energy-efficient option without limiting design choices.
Although the standard product uses 3% post-industrial recycled materials, the Ludo360 product line uses 40% recycled material from clay scrap, shale, and waste. Ludowici’s manufacturing process generates no waste, and all products are 100% recyclable, either reused as vintage roofing or crushed for construction fill and filter applications.
Interlock Metal Roof Systems
Interlock specializes in aluminum metal roofing systems manufactured in Delta, British Columbia. Their variety of profiles — including slate, cedar shingle, shake, Mediterranean tile, and standing seam — includes solar-compatible bracket systems. The company suggests you’ll “Never Re-Roof Again,” and Interlock backs its products with a Lifetime Limited Warranty that is transferable to a second homeowner as a 50-year non-prorated warranty.
Interlock roofing panels contain up to 95% recycled aluminum and are 100% recyclable at end of life. The proprietary Alunar® Cool Roof Coating System reflects heat to reduce cooling costs by up to 25%. Interlock roofing was selected for the SPOT MODULE Project, which supports the South Pole Overland Traverse in Antarctica.
CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain)
CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain (the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction), operates more than 60 manufacturing facilities in North America. The company makes more than 300 residential roofing products, primarily asphalt but also metal roof tiles that resemble clay, slate, and shake. Warranties range from 10 years to lifetime depending on the product.
CertainTeed’s CoolStar granule technology yields CRRC-rated products. They also offer a solar-integrated roofing system. A major recent development is RenuCore™, a patented technology that pelletizes both post-industrial and post-consumer asphalt shingle waste for reuse in hot mix asphalt paving — a meaningful step toward circular economy practices for asphalt roofing. Saint-Gobain’s broader sustainability commitment includes a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a 49% reduction in landfill waste was recently achieved at the Shreveport, Louisiana roofing facility.
Westlake Royal Roofing
In 2021, Westlake Chemical Corporation acquired Boral North America’s building products businesses, and in January 2022, launched the unified Westlake Royal Building Products brand, bringing together the former Boral roofing lines with Royal Building Products and DaVinci Roofscapes. The former Boral brands were rebranded as follows: US Tile (premium clay), Newpoint Concrete Tile Roofing (formerly Boral Concrete), Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing (formerly Boral Steel), and DaVinci Roofscapes (composite slate and shake). Westlake Royal also offers its own integrated roofing components line including high-performance underlayments like SwiftGuard and the Sol-R-Skin BLUE radiant barrier.
US Tile’s clay products carry a 50-year warranty and contain up to 59% recycled raw materials, and they are 100% recyclable at end of life. Westlake Royal’s clay tiles retain the Cradle to Cradle certification earned under Boral. All clay and concrete tiles carry a Class A fire rating, and select tiles include Class 3 or 4 hail impact ratings. Multiple products are CRRC-rated with cool roof–qualifying color options.
DaVinci Roofscapes composite tiles offer Class A fire, Class 4 impact, and 110 mph wind ratings with a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty, positioning them as a durable alternative to natural slate and cedar shake without the weight or maintenance.
Eagle Roofing Products
Eagle Roofing Products is the concrete tile division of family-owned Burlingame Industries. Concrete tiles do not have the life expectancy of natural clay but are still likely to outlive their 25-year warranty. They match clay’s high solar reflectance values, and when installed with a sheathing ventilation system, can reduce heat transfer into the attic by almost 50% compared to an asphalt shingle roof.
Eagle’s standard tiles contain 2.5% recycled content; their lightweight products are made from 65% recycled material. Eagle has taken environmentally-minded steps in manufacturing, including reducing electricity usage and selecting vegetable- or water-based chemicals. Concrete tiles are heavy, so proximity to manufacturing matters: Eagle’s plants are in Rialto and Stockton, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Sumterville, Florida.
Berridge
Berridge Manufacturing Company, in business for more than 50 years, specializes in architectural sheet metal products, including roofing, selling directly to architects and contractors. Their watertightness warranty is 20 years (when installed by a Certified Applicator), and the expected lifespan of a Berridge metal roof is 40 to 70 years or more.
The company’s products contain roughly one-third recycled materials and feature advanced Kynar 500® and Hylar 5000® PVDF coatings that resist fading and chalking while reflecting solar radiation, contributing to energy savings and supporting LEED certification goals. Berridge’s 11 manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Texas and the South, though metal sheets are less carbon-intensive to ship than heavier materials like tile.
Tamko
Tamko is a family-owned business and one of the largest roofing manufacturers in America, specializing in asphalt shingle. They offer CRRC-rated products and a limited lifetime warranty on their shingles.
What’s Changed Since 2019
Since this guide was first published, several important changes have affected the world of sustainable roofing:
ENERGY STAR for roofing has been discontinued. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification program for roofing products officially ended in June 2022. The CRRC Rated Products Directory is now the standard for evaluating roof product reflectance and emittance. Builders, utilities, and code officials should reference CRRC ratings. The underlying reflectance thresholds (≥0.25 for steep-slope, ≥0.65 for low-slope) still serve as useful benchmarks.
Circular economy gains momentum. The asphalt shingle industry is making real progress on closing the loop. Saint-Gobain/CertainTeed launched RenuCore™, a shingle-to-paving recycling technology. GAF developed its patented RoofCycle™ process, which can use approximately 90% of collected shingle waste to manufacture new shingles, and has committed more than $100 million to scale the technology. Still, with over 13 million tons of shingle waste generated annually and less than 10% recycled, much work remains.
Cool roof science strengthened. Research published in Urban Sustainability found that city-wide adoption of cool roofs could reduce building HVAC energy consumption by 15–35% in current climates and even more dramatically under future warming scenarios, reinforcing the value of reflective roofing choices.
Editor’s Note: This article, originally published on April 8, 2019, and written by Gemma Alexander, was updated in February 2026 to include the latest manufacturer details, new sustainability information, and an updated comparison chart.
The post Sustainable Roofing Buyer’s Guide: 2026 Update appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/how-and-buy/sustainable-roofing-buyers-guide/
The right sustainable rug can completely transform a space. A plant-based fiber rug like jute or sisal can create a grounding warmth, while a thick responsibly-sourced wool rug adds a sense of luxury. An artisan handcrafted rug infuses character and authentic culture where a vintage one can add layers of history and soul.
Furniture is functional and can be beautiful, but adding an exceptional rug is what brings it all together. A rug is at the center — at the heart — of your living room or bedroom or dining room. In other words: a rug is how you start to turn those four walls into a home.
That said, unfortunately most rugs today are mass-produced from synthetic fibers like polyester (read: plastic), finished with toxic chemicals, and made in unethical labor conditions.
Thankfully, there is a better way. Let’s talk sustainable rugs.
What is a “Sustainable Rug”, Exactly?
I like to include an in-depth explanation on “sustainable” in our guides because there’s no standard definition of the term when it comes to fashion or home goods. So here’s how we define “sustainable rugs” at Conscious Life & Style.
Natural Materials:
We’re looking for natural fibers like jute, seagrass, sisal, hemp, cotton (less common) or ethically-sourced wool. Recycled natural fibers are a great bonus, as is organic. The most reputable organic certification for fibers currently on the market is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
We’re steering clear of synthetic rugs, including recycled polyester in this guide, because they risk releasing microplastics into our homes and environment.
Also natural fibers that aren’t treated with or blended with synthetics are generally biodegradable at the end of their life.
“Recyclability” when it comes to textiles is largely a misnomer. We have far more textile waste than we do textile recycling infrastructure capacity. Plus many types of fabrics still can’t be recycled properly — if at all — today.
Dyes & Chemical Usage
Another source of impact is the dyes and other finishes used on the rugs. Many of these dyes and finishes are synthetic.
One better option is a “low impact dye” — this generally refers to a synthetic dye that doesn’t contain common toxic chemicals (like heavy metals) and has a higher absorption rate, which requires less water. Natural dyes on the other hand are non-synthetic colorants derived from plants, minerals, or sometimes even insects.
There are also additional chemicals these companies may add to rugs like PFAS (forever chemicals) for stain or water resistance or flame retardants. So if you see claims like “stain resistant” or “easy care” you probably want to do some additional digging to ensure those textiles weren’t treated with toxic chemicals.
One certification to look for is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which is a label for textiles that have been tested against common harmful substances.
Ethical Production Practices:
Unfortunately forced and child labor is still happening in the carpet and rug industries. So transparency is key. Two certifications to look for are GoodWeave (assurance against child, forced, and bonded labor) and Fair Trade Certified
. Certifications are certainly not an end all be all, so I’m also looking for transparency from the brand — who makes their products? How are they made? What is their relationship to those makers, artisan cooperatives, or facilities? Are they working in safe conditions? Are they paid fairly? A living wage?
Another element here is craftsmanship. Many of these rug-making techniques have been around centuries, but are at risk of dying out with the rise of mass-produced rug makers. Is the brand showing a commitment to sustaining heritage techniques and generations-old craftsmanship?
You might also like to look for local production, though local doesn’t automatically mean ethical. I still like to look for transparency here, as exposés have found there are still sweatshops in the US, too.
Durability & Longevity:
This one is the most challenging. Not only is it difficult to assess the durability of a rug before you’ve purchased it (even most reviewers only comment on their initial experience), but durability is also significantly impacted by how we care for that rug. Do you wash it often? Do you have pets? Kids? Are you putting the rug in a high-traffic area? Is it getting wet often (like in a kitchen or bathroom)?
That said, I’m looking for attention to craftsmanship from a brand, and attention to detail. There are also certain elements to look out for. For example:
- Thicker and denser rugs generally hold up better than looser or low-density tufted rugs.
- Reinforced edges prevent fraying and strong backings prevent the rug curling at the edges.
- Hand-knotted rugs are labor intensive (and may be pricier) but can last decades or even centuries.
Top Picks for Sustainable Rugs
Ok so that was a lot! But no stress — I’ve done the hours of heavy lifting and digging for you to curate this guide to brands with sustainable rugs. So let’s dive in.
Note that Conscious Life & Style is reader supported and this guide includes affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase via some of these links, I may earn a commission. As always all brands meet are rigorous sustainability criteria.
Secondhand First!
Part of our philosophy at Conscious Life & Style is to look secondhand first. So before we dive into the brands, here are some places to find vintage and pre-loved rugs first:
1. Urban Natural
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms
Urban Natural is your online destination for finding responsibly-made, exceptionally crafted home goods from sustainably-minded makers. Brands on Urban Natural include Loloi, a well-respected GoodWeave certified rug brand with rugs ethically hand-woven in Varanasi, India; and Jaipur Living, a company dedicated to preserving time-honored handcrafted art and rug weaving traditions, partnering with 40,000 artisans across hundreds of rural communities throughout India.
Other sustainable rug options on Urban Natural include 100% linen rugs from Libeco, which holds the Masters of Linen® quality label; and 100% wool rugs made in the USA from Earth Weave, the first US carpet manufacturer with a completely natural product line.
Materials: Wool, Jute, Sisal, Cotton, Silk, and Linen (Note: there are a couple of “performance” rugs made with polyester)
Price Range: Starts at $179
Shipping: Ships within the US
2. Lorena Canals
Best for: Living rooms, entryways and bedrooms
Lorena Canals revolutionized the rug industry with machine-washable cotton and wool rugs that don’t compromise on beauty or sustainability. Handcrafted in the brand’s own factory in India since 1998, each piece uses natural or recycled fibers, non-toxic azo-free dyes certified by GOTS and OEKO-TEX standards, and a water-efficient cone-dyeing method that conserves 75% of water compared to traditional processes. The aesthetic ranges from playful geometric patterns and kitchen tile motifs to minimalist neutral textures in their Woolable collection. With customizable options and designs that celebrate the natural colors of undyed wool, these rugs pair practical washability with artisan craftsmanship, all while supporting the brand’s Sakûla Project school for children in northern India.
Materials: Cotton, Wool
Price Range: From $145
Shipping: Global | Outside of US and Canada? Use this website to order instead.
3. CICIL
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and dining rooms
Founded by two former Patagonia textile experts in North Carolina, Cicil brings radical transparency to rug-making with a supply chain that travels less than 1,000 miles from wool to floor. Their braided and shuttle weave rugs use 70% undyed wool sourced directly from small family farms across upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, combined with 30% jute for durability. With shapes ranging from linear and oval to curvy and arch designs, each piece celebrates natural wool tones—from deep grays to warm beiges—without any synthetic dyes or finishes. Made in the Carolinas using traditional techniques on vintage looms, Cicil’s approach is intentionally “anti-innovation,” focusing instead on time-tested methods that create rugs built to biodegrade gracefully after a lifetime of use.
Materials: Wool, Jute
Price Point: From $459
Shipping: Ships within the US (all orders ship free)
4. West Elm Fair Trade Certified
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, offices, or bedrooms
I tend to put large retailers, like West Elm, through much stricter scrutiny in my vetting process because they have larger supply chains which makes transparency much more difficult. It’s easy to know your factory without a certification if you work with one or two facilities. It’s much harder when you work with 20 — or 200. That’s why I appreciate that West Elm has such an extensive selection of rugs made in verified Fair Trade Certified factories.
Most of West Elm’s rugs are also made from 100% natural materials like sisal, jute, wool, and cotton. Though like most companies, their “Performance Rugs” are made with polyester. West Elm does use 90-100% recycled polyester for these rugs which makes it a lower impact choice from a carbon emissions point of view. It may still shed microplastics, but if you have pets that could be worth the trade-off for you to have a durable rug.
Note that West Elm does not have non-toxic related certifications for most of their rugs, so this can be a great choice if you value aesthetic variety, ethical production, and natural materials, but if your top priority or concern is that the rug was tested for potentially harmful chemicals, West Elm might not be the right fit for you.
Materials: Wool, Jute, Sisal, Cotton (Performance rugs use recycled polyester)
Price Point: From $459
Shipping: Ships within the US and select other countries
5. Schoolhouse
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms
Schoolhouse brings American design sensibility to handcrafted rugs woven in India using natural materials. Their collection spans hand-knotted wool pieces with vivid, whimsical patterns like the Sundrop design to reversible flatweave plaid styles perfect for layering. Natural-dyed wool yarn creates rich, enduring colors—from burnt orange and chartreuse to soft neutrals—while jute-chenille blends offer versatility underfoot without the typical scratchiness. With 80% of their assortment domestic and FSC-certified materials across their product lines, Schoolhouse prioritizes reducing carbon emissions through consolidated shipping and minimal plastic packaging.
Materials: Wool, Jute, Cotton, Recycled PET (note: PET is plastic, so this isn’t our top recommendation)
Price Range: From $79
Shipping: Ships to all US States and Canada
6. Nestig
Best for: Nurseries and playrooms
Nestig transforms nursery floors with whimsical, machine-washable rugs that parents actually want to clean. Hand-loomed in Brazil by local artisans with over 20 years of experience, each piece uses 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton grown locally and dyed with non-toxic pigments. The designs range from playful vehicles (dump trucks, airplanes, sailboats) and animals (dinosaurs, bears) to sophisticated geometric patterns and world maps. Nestig operates on a “just enough” business model that minimizes warehouse inventory and carbon footprint, partnering exclusively with sustainable, family-owned businesses. Every rug arrives as a truly one-of-a-kind piece with natural variations that come from artisan craftsmanship.
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price Range: From $399
Shipping: Ships to US, Canada, and the UK
7. Salem Hello
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and statement spaces
Salam Hello bridges the gap between Moroccan artisan tradition and contemporary homes with transparency at its core. Each handwoven rug is crafted by Amazigh women in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, preserving techniques passed through generations while ensuring fair wages and artisan recognition. The collection includes ready-to-ship vintage and new pieces alongside made-to-order designs where you choose size, color, and pattern. From neutral flatweaves and textured hand-knots to bold geometric designs rich in traditional symbolism, every rug carries protective meaning woven into its fibers. With collaborations like their Izra collection with General Assembly and the Atlas Form line, Salam Hello offers refined modern interpretations alongside authentic traditional styles.
Materials: Wool
Price: From $625
Shipping: Ships Worldwide
8. Organic Weave
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and kids’ rooms
Organic Weave was born after founder Linda witnessed child labor at the rug manufacturers in India her family’s rug business was sourcing from. When Linda became the buyer at her family’s company, she started sourcing exclusively from the only supplier that was committed to not employing children.
Today, Organic Weave is GoodWeave certified — a certification providing additional assurance there isn’t child labor in the supply chain. And as the name suggests, the sustainable rug company also uses organic materials: 100% organic wool for high-traffic areas like living rooms and 100% organic cotton for lower traffic areas like bedrooms. Their handmade, artisan crafted rugs are Global Organic Textile Standard Certified too.
Materials: Organic Cotton, Organic Wool
Price Range: From $1,789
Shipping: Ships Worldwide
9. LOOMY
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms
LOOMY proves that sustainable doesn’t mean sacrificing style with a curated collection of contemporary rugs made entirely by hand from indigenous artisan weaving communities worldwide. Their natural fiber collection includes wool, jute, cotton, hemp, and sisal rugs alongside performance options crafted from recycled P.E.T. plastic diverted from oceans and landfills. From shaggy textures and bold geometric patterns to minimalist flatweaves, every design is exclusively created in-house and made without mechanical assistance, using traditional spinning, natural dye baths under the sun, and generations-old loom techniques. The brand’s transparency extends to sharing exactly who made each rug, how many hours it took, and the sustainable materials used.
Materials: Wool, Jute, Cotton, Hemp, Sisal, Recycled P.E.T.
Price Range: From $278
Shipping: Ships to all US States and Canada
10. Revival
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms
Originally founded as a vintage rug curator, Revival now makes a wide range of affordable, beautiful rugs for all needs, whether you have kids, pets, or just want an easy-care washable rug.
Not all options from Revival are sustainable, and some are made from virgin polyester, so for natural fibers I’d direct you to their Wool Rugs collection and Jute Rugs collection, including their naturally dyed jute rugs. Revival also carries one-of-a-kind rugs, which include vintage options.
Materials: Wool, Jute, Recycled Polyester (also has some rugs made with new polyester, which I’d avoid)
Price Range: From $169
Shipping: Ships to contiguous US and selected other international destinations
Honorable Mentions: More Sustainable Rug Options
Here are some additional companies with sustainable rugs to check out! These didn’t make the “top 10” list based on our criteria, but you might have different priorities. So if you’re not finding what you’re looking for above, I recommend taking a look at this list too.
Hook and Loom: if you’re looking for a non-toxic organic rug, Hook and Loom has undyed organic cotton and natural wool rugs made without added chemicals. Their website doesn’t have the most modern user experience, which can make shopping a bit more cumbersome, but the brand has thousands of positive reviews.
Sabai: Sabai’s all-natural textured rugs are crafted from jute and wool in North Carolina by skilled rug makers. They are one of the few companies to manufacture their rugs in the US. That said, the rug does appear to be on the thinner side considering the price point.
The Citizenry: Hand-knotted and hand-loomed by artisan partners across the globe from Morocco to Peru each piece blends modern minimalist design with time-tested techniques passed down through generations. The Citizenry’s collection features everything from plush, textured wool designs to natural jute pieces, and the retailer guarantees 100% fair trade standards on every product, partnering directly with artisan communities. However, many customers complain online about slow shipping and poor customer service, so that’s something to keep in mind before purchasing.
Yaya & Co: this brand has some high sustainability standards like 100% organic certified materials and production in a Fair Trade Certified family-owned factory! Their designs are quite colorful and fun too, which isn’t always easy to find with organic materials. Their selection is more limited compared to the other brands and retailers, which is the only reason they didn’t make it onto the top 10 list.
The post 10 Best Sustainable Rugs For a Healthier Home and Planet appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. The Citizenry
If you’re browsing for fair trade rugs, but looking for a more minimalist or neutral aesthetic, look no further than The Citizenry.
The brand’s natural, handmade rugs — made by artisans working in fair trade conditions — feature striking prints but more subtle colors. Next to each product page you’ll be able to learn more about the workshop and the artisans behind that piece.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade, Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs
2. Kiliim
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim. Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic, well, kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
3. Urban Natural
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $$+
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
4. Zuahaza
Each of Zuahaza’s artisan-made rugs is creatively designed with unique patterns and expertly handwoven by weavers in Colombia. Zuahaza’s captivating rugs are made from sustainably-sourced fique, a natural fiber from Colombia that is similar to hemp. And, just like hemp, fique requires little water to grow and is rarely attacked by pests (meaning fique is always grown organically without chemical pesticides).
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Organic Fibers & Natural Dyes, Cultural Preservation, BIPOC-Owned
Categories: Area Rugs, Runner Rugs, Accent Rugs
5. LOOMY
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to making beautiful, non-toxic rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Eco & Non-Toxic Materials, Craft Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
6. Leah Singh
Leah Singh’s designs are a reflection of the designer’s background, growing up surrounded by the rich artistry of India and studying at Parsons amidst the structural, minimal lines of New York.
All of the brand’s rugs are made by artisans in India who use embroidery, weaving, and printing techniques native to their respective regions.
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: BIPOC-Owned, Ethical Production, Cultural Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners
7. West Elm
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
Liked this guide to sustainable rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 7 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
A durable set of eco-friendly dinnerware is a solid ingredient for a sustainably set table! But…
What is Sustainable Dinnerware?
Well looking for secondhand and vintage dinnerware is always a good start, whether that’s your grandmother’s porcelain dining sets or a pre-loved set of colorful plates and bowls at your local thrift store.
Another great place to look is estate sales. You can likely find full sets of dinnerware! If none of those options are available to you (or your just not finding something you love) you can check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.
*Important note on secondhand dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So you might want to avoid any dinnerware produced before 1971, unless it’s just for display!
Here are some qualities to look for when shopping for new sustainable dinnerware:
Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass.
Quality: when it comes to products you’re going to potentially use and wash daily, durability is an important factor to keep in mind. Also consider your lifestyle! Perhaps glass and porcelain aren’t the best choices if you have little ones, or you tend to drop things often. (Guilty!!)
Usefulness: You might also want to consider if you will be hand-washing or dishwashing your dinnerware. Some materials are too fragile for the dishwasher, so consider if you’ll have the time (and willingness) to hand wash them all the time. Because part of sustainability is that you’ll actually use the products and they won’t just sit and collect dust! 
Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made and fair trade. In any case, an ethical dinnerware brand would prioritize fair living wages for the workers, ensure safe healthy conditions (this includes no toxic chemicals used in production!) and go above and beyond to consider the wellbeing of the people who work for them and/or produce their products.
Ownership and Equity: this means looking at who owns and profits from the brands we’re supporting; if a brand is owned by a person of color, it will be indicated in their description below (BIPOC-owned stands for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned and WOC-owned stands for Woman of Color-owned).
Your Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation. Or perhaps it’s really important to you that a brand is giving back to their local community.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware
The eco-friendly tableware and sustainable dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet several) of the above criteria.
In this roundup, you’ll find sustainable pottery (including ceramic plates, sustainable mugs, and more), recycled glassware, artisan-made ethical dinnerware, and everything in between to suit your needs. I hope that this variety of brands will help you set the table, whether that’s for fancy dinner parties, Friday night pizza, or something in between.
This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. East Fork
East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.
Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,
Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production
Price Range: $$$
2. Our Place
From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware and sustainable pottery.
Our Place has hand-painted main plates and side bowls made with recycled and virgin porcelain ceramic and dinner glasses handmade from recycled glass and colored with natural dyes.
Categories: Glassware, Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
3. Fable
Prioritizing timelessness and sustainability, Fable sources quality materials and simple designs that last the test of time.
The eco-minded dinnerware company partners with makers in Portugal, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US that use conscious practices, like ethical employment, craftsmanship, and low-waste practices (like sourcing recycled clay).
Categories: Dinnerware, Drinkware, Cutlery, Serveware, and Decor
Conscious Qualities: Quality Craftsmanship, Low Waste Practices, Responsibly Sourced
Price Range: $$$
4. Zungleboo
Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!
Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe, making them easy to care for no matter how busy mealtime is. As Zungleboo writes on their website, their sustainable dinnerware is “from real plants, for real life”.
Categories: Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!
5. Urban Natural
Green home retailer Urban Natural has stunning eco-friendly tabletop goods from leading contemporary brands like Farmhouse Pottery and Ethnicraft.
The brands Urban Natural curates source natural materials, use time-honored processes, and take quality craftsmanship seriously.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups & Mugs, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Artisan Goods, Natural Materials, Locally and Ethically Made
Price Range: $$ – $$$
6. GOODEE
For artisanal plates that can elevate your tablescape, GOODEE is the answer.
From 100% porcelain stone ceramic plates hand-crafted in the ancient Japanese town of Arita and hand-painted plates made from Egyptian clay to marble patterned ecothylene® (upcycled BPA-free plastic) plates ideal for family-friendly daily wares, GOODEE has options for everyone.
Categories: Plates, Glassware, Cups & Mugs, Serving, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation
Price Range: $$$
7. Ekobo
Ekobo’s colorful eco-friendly dinnerware is available in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique sustainable table setting for any space.
The eco-friendly dinnerware from Ekobo is made from upcycled bamboo and the result is durable, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic diningware.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Trays, Baby Diningware
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials
Price Range: $$
More Guides For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen:
Best Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths
Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide
The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options
The post 7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table
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