Nearly everyone will at some point in their lives take a moment to look back and admire the newly painted or carpeted rooms in their homes or their new car in their driveway. A recent survey found that three-quarters (75%) of respondents) love this look. “new car”The smell of new carpeting is a favorite for many people, with more than two-fifths saying they like it. These smells are pleasant, but are they really what people actually see?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are what give new cars or paint their distinctive smell. FLOR, a marketer and manufacturer of carpet tiles with design-inspired patterns, found that 91% of Americans are concerned about the environmental situation. However, only 10% of Americans know much about VOCs and their dangers.

VOCs can be harmful gases that are released by household products like paint, carpets, cleaning materials, aerosol sprays and air fresheners. The Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air contains 10 times more VOCs than outdoor air. People are often exposed because they spend 80 to 90% of their time indoors. Problem? VOCs can cause asthma and other respiratory issues.

According to a recent FLOR survey, 91 per cent of respondents were concerned about the environment. However, 61 per cent reported that they place unwanted carpet on the curb or in the trash. People don’t realize that wool can take 50-years to decay in a landfill. It can take 250,000 years for manmade fibers such as nylon or carpet backing to completely degrade.

FLOR also found that only 15% of respondents chose to recycle old carpeting and 25% chose to donate it. FLOR is trying to provide a better alternative. Consumers can participate in the company’s environmental efforts through FLOR’s Return & Recycle Program, where old FLOR tiles can be returned to be recycled into new product. Many FLOR products are made from renewable or recycled materials and comply with the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus standard regarding VOC emissions.

“FLOR has always been a believer in providing smart solutions for the home,” says Greg Colando, president, FLOR. “We want to help consumers understand the range of eco-friendly issues and products out there when it comes to renovating or updating home décor.”

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