The Carpet and Rug Institute is a key source of science–based information on eco–friendly carpets and rugs,
from an environmental perspective. Through initiatives such as the Green Label Program, CARE, and the CRI Seal of Approval
Program, the Carpet and Rug Institute is serving residential customers, business customers, the carpet industry, and the
environment. CRI is concerned with green carpeting and the health of individuals and the eco–system.
CRI and the Green Label Program
The Carpet and Rug Institute promotes the use and manufacture of eco–friendly carpets with their Green Label
program. The creation of the Green Label program was a collaborative effort of CRI, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), academic institutions and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Green Label program helps distinguish green carpets by testing the emission levels in the pad, carpet and adhesive.
Carpets that emit a harmless amount of VOCs* are approved. These are then marked with a Green Label and recognized by the
American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
*VOCs (short for volatile organic compounds) are carbon–based chemical compounds that can be
found in certain flooring materials, adhesives and cleaners.
CRI – Reducing Carpet Waste Through CARE
Carpet waste is a serious environmental challenge. CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort), is an industry and government
effort to reduce carpet waste in landfills and increase the reuse and recycling of post–consumer carpet. CARE is funded
by the carpet industry and is used to:
- Educate individuals on the economic benefits of using recovered carpet.
- Provide funding opportunities for the national support of carpet recovery.
- Measure the progress of national goals for carpet recovery.
The CRI Seal of Approval Program for Carpet Cleaning
Through various testing, CRI discovered that some carpet cleaning solutions and equipment can actually damage carpet. The
CRI Seal of Approval Program helps to sort out effective carpet cleaning solutions. Carpet cleaners that
are safe for carpet are marked with a green and blue Seal of Approval.
Carpet and Green Building
CRI aims to bring awareness of the benefits of green building to homeowners, businesses and governmental entities, as well
as how to apply green tactics in their own facilities. Green carpet helps contribute to eco–friendly building by
reducing VOC emissions and the amount of waste at the end of the carpet's useful life. But it doesn't just end with the
carpet. Carpet padding and carpet adhesives should also be taken into account.
