Which Flooring Is Most Eco-Friendly?

By Dan Chiras
Updated on November 29, 2022
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by AdobeStock/leeyiutung

Start learning which flooring is most eco-friendly. From eco-friendly bathroom tiles, to recycled backsplash and kitchen counters, sustainable tile might be your best choice for an environmentally friendly option.

If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bath, or simply replacing worn-out flooring, consider environmentally-friendly recycled tile.

Like other tile products, recycled-content tile will outlast most, if not all, other types of flooring. Tile resists scratching and is fire-resistant. And because it’s so durable, you will save money over the long haul by not having to replace it. (Consider installing a neutral color that will not become dated.)

Tile is easy to clean and, if glazed, won’t absorb liquids or release unpleasant odors like carpeting can. Another advantage over carpet is that tile doesn’t harbor potentially harmful mold spores, pollen, dust, or dust mites. Unlike vinyl “linoleum” and many other flooring products — including some “green” options — tile doesn’t contain toxic chemicals and won’t give off fumes (a process known as outgassing).

The use of recycled materials reduces waste shipped to landfills and cuts down on mining of clay and other minerals needed to make conventional tile. Recycling also reduces energy use because making a product from waste material typically requires less energy than fabricating one from raw materials. This, in turn, helps slash fuel use in manufacturing and reduce environmental pollution.

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