Benefits

• Sustainable flooring doesn't deplete natural resources. This means they are made of durable materials that don't need to be replaced quickly. Sustainable flooring also is becoming more readily available, so finding a local vendor will reduce your carbon footprint further by decreasing the amount of fuel needed to transport the flooring to you.
  
  

Types

• Bamboo and cork are two popular choices for sustainable flooring. Harvesting bamboo does not kill the bamboo plant. Mature shoots are cut and young ones emerge to replace them. Even though cork is a type of tree, it similarly stays alive after its bark, used in flooring, is harvested. Sustainable carpeting is a 'green' option for homes as well. It can be produced from nylon or wool.
  
  

Considerations

• While freshly harvested materials often are used in sustainable flooring, salvaged wood from older buildings or demolitions can be made into quality flooring too. Wood that otherwise would have gone to waste can be sanded and refinished. Rustic planks also can add character to a space that milled and modern woods often cannot.