From handwoven rugs made from recycled plastic to jute rugs dyed with natural dyes, there’s something for everyone in this collection of sustainable rugs. And because they’re from some of our favorite eco-friendly brands, you can be sure that they’re made with the environment in mind.
So whether you’re looking for a sustainable rug for your living room, bedroom, or home office, we’ve got you covered. Check out our picks for the best sustainable rugs from eco-friendly brands below.
What We Looked For
What separates a sustainable rug brand from an unsustainable one?
For starters, a sustainable rug brand should have a commitment to using environmentally-friendly materials and processes. This means they avoid using harmful chemicals and toxins in their rugs, and instead opt for natural, sustainable materials like wool, jute, or bamboo.
A sustainable rug brand should also have a commitment to social responsibility. This means they have fair trade practices in place and support the communities where their rugs are made.
A sustainable rug brand should also have a robust recycling and reuse program in place, so that old rugs can be given new life instead of ending up in a landfill.
Ultimately, a sustainable rug brand should be one that you can feel good about supporting.
There are many different types of materials that can be used to make eco friendly rugs. Some of the most popular materials include wool, bamboo, and jute. Are natural dyes being used? These materials are all sustainable and will help to reduce your carbon footprint.Â
When you're looking at sustainable rug brands, it's important to check where the materials are coming from. Make sure they're being sourced in a way that doesn't hurt people or the planet.
What are some of the other responsible initiatives the brand is taking, aside from the item being sustainable? Do they have any internal practices they take to reduce energy consumption, or are they part of any non-profit organizations? Do they offset their shipping footprint, where their products come from, who makes them?
There are a few different ways to tell if a rug is sustainable. One way is to look for certifications from organizations like the Better Cotton Initiative, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX or GoodWeave to name a few. These certifications mean that the rug was made with sustainable practices in mind, from start to finish.
Are the area rugs handwoven or machine-made? Handwoven rugs are usually more sustainable, as they don't require as much energy to produce.
Our search lead us to these 4 sustainable brands.Â
They are all great choices if you are looking for a rug that is good for the environment.Â
Here’s a list of high-quality, non-toxic, eco-friendly rugs that you can trust.
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 |
 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Materials |
Jute |
Jute |
Wool |
Wool |
|
Fair Trade |
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- |
- |
|
Certifications |
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) World Fair Trade Organization GoodWeave |
Craftmark |
Climate Neutral certified |
Factories approved by Global Recycling Standards |
|
Construction |
Handmade |
Handmade |
Handmade  |
Handmade |
|
Giving |
10% of profits back into communities where rugs are made |
Grant programs supporting Black-owned, product-centric businesses |
Shipping and returns are 100% carbon offset |
Continued financial commitment to communities |
|
Origin of Rugs |
Columbia |
India |
India |
India |
|
Price |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$ |
$$$$$ |
This symbol indicates the brand is recognized by one of a leading Fair Trade organization. Such as Fairtrade International, Fair Trade Federation, World Fair Trade Organization, Fair For Life, Fair Trade Certified
The Citizenry covers the globe to find the best craftsmen and bring their work home to you.
Their collections are made with high-quality materials, designed carefully, and ethically crafted by expert artisans.
- Sustainable and fair trade practices top to bottom
- Highly rated by verified customers
- Beautiful and uniquely designed area rugs
- All rugs are made with a fair trade process audited and guaranteed by the World Fair Trade Organization
- Oeko-Tex certified
- GoodWeave Certified
- Transparent & ethical production
- Fair trade guaranteed
- The Citizenry pays 2x the fair trade wage requirement
- All-natural, organic materials
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified
- Free US Shipping
- Smaller product catalog
- No rug swatches available for preview
Looking for a unique vegan area rug, accent rug, or runner? Loomy Home has a great selection of ethically sourced rugs made by skilled artisans from around the world. They have the perfect staple piece to tie your space together, whether it's in the bedroom, living room, or any other room in your home.
- Offers larger sizes
- Custom sizing available
- Natural materials
- Biodegradable packaging
- Upcycled options
- OEKO-TEX-certified
- Free swatch box program
- Large product catalog
- Paid shipping
We love Loomy. They offer a rather large product catalog featuring eco friendly and sustainable rugs. They go to extensive lengths to make their rugs as sustainable and eco friendly as possible. However, we could not find any fair trade certifications attached to his brand.Â
Two unique offerings Loomy showcases are their custom rug process and their free swatch program.Â
Outlined on their website, their custom rug ordering process looks like this:
- They work 1:1 with you to determine your style preferences. Then they choose colors, materials, and sizes for you.
- Once the drawing of the custom rug is complete a swatch sample of the rug will be sent to you for approval.
- Once approved, the custom rug is placed into production with a dedicated weaver.
- The yarns are then custom dyed to the specific color requested.
- Artisans hand weave the custom design directly onto the loom, soon making its way to your home.
Their swatch box program is a hit as well. It allows you to hand pick 3 swatches. Once you customize your rug based on the swatches, simply send it back to get $100 refunded plus a $50 discount code to use on your rug purchase.Â
These rugs are perfect for the minimalist home. They're made with OEKO-TEX certified cotton, jute, and wool, so you can be sure they're free of harmful chemicals and synthetics. They're also Craftmark certified, which means they're handmade in India by sustainably employed artisans.
- Fair Trade certified
- Craftmark certified
- GOTS certified
- OEKO-TEX certified
- Climate Neutral certified
- Ethical manufacturing
- Laidback, minimalist color scheme
- Free carbon-neutral shipping
- Responsible materials
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives
- Carbon offsetting programs
- Buy now, pay later payment option
- Small product catalog
You may have noticed Parachute catching headlines in some big name magazines like Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Refinery 29. This makes sense with their wonderful, beautiful overall aesthetic, but also because their home goods are extremely high quality.
Parachute goes the extra mile when it comes to being sustainable, environmental, and socially responsible, and they don’t plan on stopping.
Here is a list of future sustainability goals they are hoping to accomplish.Â
- 2022 – Climate Neutral certified: Measure and offset carbon emissions, and commit to reductions. Launch circular programs.
- 2022 -Launch Fair Trade Certified products, starting with rugs.
- 2023 – Improve packaging: Transition out of vinyl, and incorporate more sustainable materials.
- 2023 -Launch Employee Resource Groups, 2 paid service days a year, Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program completed by all members of executive and HR/Recruiting teams.
- 2023 – Expand Fair Trade Certified products to include a minimum of 3 new product categories.
- 2024 – Transition all cotton programs to 100% organic cotton. >50% of wood FSC certified.
- 2024 – Replace virgin polyester with 100% Global Recycle Standard® (GRS) certified recycled polyester.
Made Trade doesn't sustainably manufacture rugs themselves, but they do curate from those that are fair trade, heritage, made in the USA, vegan, and more. They've got a great selection of ethical home decor, and all the other bits and bobs you might need to go with it. Everything from beautiful organic and sustainable tableware, to stylish eco-friendly homewares.
- More affordable
- Climate neutral certified
- Member of 1% for the Planet
- Offsets all shipping emissions
- A number of recycled / upcycled products
- Buy now, pay later payment options
- 15-day hassle-free returns
- Some customers have expereinced issues with Made Trades return policy
- Some customers have reported frustrations with customer service
Made trade curates products from around the world. They only works with brands who follow the international Fair Trade guidelines and practices- ensuring that all products are crafted with fair labor practices. By using fair trade practices for their products, Made Trade is able to ensure that their products are always made out of the highest quality materials and practices possible.
They are committed to delivering the highest quality products in the marketplace, which is why they take their time to make things right.
They also work with People of Color Owned Products. Some of these businesses are at least 51% owned by an indigenous person, black individual, or person of color.
Why Consider Buying a Sustainable or Eco Friendly Rug?
If you’re looking for something that’s not only stylish but also eco-friendly, sustainable rugs are a great option to consider.
There are a few different reasons why sustainable rugs are a smart choice for your home. For one, they’re better for the environment. Most sustainable rugs are made from natural materials like wool or jute, which means they’re biodegradable and won’t end up in a landfill.
Another big reason to consider sustainable rugs is that they’re often more durable and long-lasting than traditional rugs using synthetic materials.Â
How to Buy a Rug Ethically?
When it comes to buying a rug, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to make sure you’re doing it ethically.
- Consider where the rug is coming from. If it’s coming from a country with a history of child labor or poor working conditions, it’s best to avoid that rug. There are plenty of other options out there.
- Take a look at the materials the rug is made from. If it’s made from wool, for example, make sure you know how the sheep were treated. They should have been treated humanely and not harmed in any way. The same goes for any other materials used in the rug.
- Take a look at the manufacturing process. How were the workers treated during the making of the rug? Were they paid a fair wage? Were they working in safe conditions?
- Consider the price. If a rug is being sold for way below market value, it’s likely that the workers who made it were paid unfairly.
- Finally, be sure to research different retailers before making your purchase. Compare prices and shipping costs to find the best rug for your home.Â
The Difference Between a Non Toxic Rug vs an Eco Friendly RugÂ
If you’re looking for a new rug, you might be wondering what the difference is between an eco-friendly rug and a non-toxic rug. Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences:
Eco-friendly rugs are made from sustainable materials, like bamboo or wool, which have a lower environmental impact than synthetic materials like nylon or polyester. They’re also often made using sustainable manufacturing processes, like hand-weaving or natural dyeing.
Non-toxic rugs are made without harmful chemicals or toxins, which can be harmful to your health. They’re often made from natural materials like wool or cotton, which are less likely to off-gas toxins.
