Sustainability is really important these days. Most people are aware that global warming is of real concern and that it has definite real-world effects, such as climate change. Sometimes, all it really takes for people take to the environment more seriously is first-hand experience of climate change, but the amount of reportage on the environment ought to be enough.

Since humans are responsible for using the world’s resources, it’s only right that it should be down to us to make a difference and sustainability definitely starts at home. That’s why the ‘Reduce, Re-use and Recycle’ (the 3 R’s) mantra has made its way into the public vernacular.

Ecology even makes it into the world of interior design. When you make home improvements, you can do so more responsibly. It’s all down to the choices you make.

Let’s look at some of the most responsible rugs available on the market. It’s possible to enhance your relationship with the environment by picking environmentally friendly rugs. There’s nothing quite like the feeling that you are making a positive difference and responsible decorating really helps you to get that buzz!

The most sustainable rugs out there are the ones that don’t require huge amounts of energy in industrial processes to make. They are also the ones whose raw materials come from manageable resources.

So that leaves a couple of very clear winners. In your search for more sustainable interiors, it makes sense to go for natural rugs or hand-woven rugs.

Handmade rugs

Now, handmade rugs have the benefit of appealing to that sense of posterity. They are made using time-honoured processes by experts whose skills they have learned from generation after generation before them. What makes them a good sustainable choice is the fact that a lot of manpower goes into making them instead of machine power. That means they don’t necessitate high energy input and that lowers their carbon footprint.

Natural rugs

Another option is to choose natural rugs. What makes these such a good choice is that the raw materials they are made of – often sisal, jute, hemp or bamboo – don’t require huge amounts of energy to manipulate either. The industrial chain of events to get them from the fields into your home are is pretty short.

Then there’s the fact that those materials listed above can be found in manageable plantations where natural fibres are cultivated responsibly with a view to supporting the rug industry without doing undue damage to the Earth. This ecologically sound way of using the Earth’s resources is representative of a much more positive relationship between man and nature.

So, next time you are decorating and you are driven to seek more environmentally friendly ways of going about it. Remember that sustainability is about keeping energy down and acting responsibly with relation to the Earth’s resources. These rugs will help to get you started.