Sustainability

Carpet underlay is an essential part of any flooring project, as it provides comfort, insulation, noise reduction and durability to your carpet. However, not all carpet underlays are created equal when it comes to sustainability and environmental impact. Some types of underlay are more eco-friendly than others, depending on the materials used, the production process and the recyclability of the product. In this webpage, we will explore the most sustainable types of underlay and why, some sustainable underlay production brands and also the least sustainable underlays.

There are many types of carpet underlay available in the UK, However, some of these types are more sustainable than others, based on the following criteria:

•  The source of the materials: The most sustainable types of underlay are those that use natural, renewable or recycled materials, such as wool, cork or reclaimed foam. These materials reduce the need for virgin resources and minimise waste and pollution. For example, wool is a natural fibre that is biodegradable and renewable, as it can be sheared from sheep every year without harming them. Cork is a natural material that is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without cutting them down. Reclaimed foam is a recycled material that is made from old soft furnishings that would otherwise end up in landfill.

•  The production process: The most sustainable types of underlay are those that use energy-efficient and low-emission production processes, such as steam molding or compression bonding. These processes reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the underlay manufacturing. For example, steam molding is a process that uses high temperature steam under high pressure to shape the foam underlay. Compression bonding is a process that uses heat and pressure to bond rubber crumbs together to form crumb rubber underlay.

•  The recyclability of the product: The most sustainable types of underlay are those that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle, either by the manufacturer or by a local recycling facility. This way, the underlay can be turned into new products or materials, rather than being disposed of in landfill or incinerated. For example, some foam underlays can be recycled by the manufacturer into new foam products or materials. Some rubber underlays can be recycled by a local recycling facility into rubber granules that can be used for playgrounds or sports fields.

Based on these criteria, some of the most sustainable types of underlay are:

•  Wool felt underlay: This type of underlay is made from 100% natural wool fibres that are needle-punched together to form a dense and durable felt. Wool felt underlay has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties, as well as being naturally fire-resistant and anti-allergenic. Wool felt underlay has a very low carbon footprint compared to other types of underlay, as wool is a renewable and biodegradable material that requires minimal processing and energy. Wool felt underlay can also be recycled at the end of its life cycle into new wool products or materials.

•  Cork underlay: This type of underlay is made from 100% natural cork granules that are compressed together to form a flexible and resilient layer. Cork underlay has good thermal and acoustic insulation properties, as well as being naturally anti-microbial and anti-static. Cork underlay has a very low environmental impact compared to other types of underlay, as cork is a renewable and biodegradable material that is harvested without harming the trees. Cork underlay can also be recycled at the end of its life cycle into new cork products or materials.

•  Reclaimed foam underlay: This type of underlay is made from recycled foam that is reclaimed from old soft furnishings such as mattresses or sofas. Reclaimed foam underlay has good comfort and durability properties, as well as being lightweight and easy to install. Reclaimed foam underlay has a high environmental benefit compared to other types of underlay, as it reduces waste and saves resources by using post-consumer materials. Reclaimed foam underlay can also be recycled at the end of its life cycle into new foam products or materials.