Construction Methods and their Environmental Impact

At Creative Matters, we are committed to using natural materials whenever possible for all of our handmade rugs and carpets, including but not limited to handknotted, handloomed and handwoven. We use cotton and wool threads for the warp and use wool, silk and linen and other natural yarns for the face and/or pile.

Cotton, wool, silk and other natural yarns are rapidly renewable resources and are fully biodegradable. The dyes used in the manufacturing process are of premium quality. Dyeing methods are reviewed by our fair trade partner Label STEP, whose role includes fostering environmentally sound carpet production and advising workers on how to handle any necessary chemicals safely. We also offer completely organic production with natural dyes.   

The handweaving process produces little waste or carbon emissions. The equipment required to weave a rug is very simple and does not require electricity to operate. Weaving and finishing is all done by hand with little, if any, mechanization. All manufacturing is done by skilled craftspeople who live in the same vicinity as the production site. This means a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Finished rugs contribute to the overall health of the environment they are used in as they emit little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and do not shed any synthetic fibres into the environment. 

Our handtufted carpets are produced on a cotton canvas mesh using primarily New Zealand wool. Silk and nylon can be added for effect. Wool and silk are rapidly renewable resources and are fully biodegradable. If synthetic fibres are used, these are sourced from manufacturers committed to environmental sustainability (see woven Axminster below for more details). The dyes we use are acid dyes without metal complex and the backing is finished with synthetic latex. Our mills follow all national regulations and laws and follow the Japanese 5S principles.

CRI Green Label Plus- ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS)- ISO9001 Quality Management System (QMS)

For projects requiring machine made carpets using synthetic fibres, we work with manufacturers who are committed to environmental sustainability. One of our North American manufacturing partners is a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council and supports World Green Building Council activities. Our European partner has rigorous corporate social responsibility standards and has achieved CSR certification under the DS49001 standard, documenting that it complies with extensive international requirements in the CSR area. 

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the production process. When EcoAx is no longer useful as a floor covering, we are proud to say it is fully compostable in soil. In fact, for European clients, it can be returned to the mill where it will be processed into granules. With the addition of natural fertilizer ingredients it can now be repurposed as fertilizer and added to soil to promote more robust plant growth. For North American clients, the carpet will need to be shredded before heading to landfill.

For needle felting we use both polyester and TreviraCS fibre. TreviraCS is suitable for locations with stringent flame rated requirements as no additional chemical additives are needed.

Our vinyl printed wallcoverings are PVC & POA free and contain no plasticizers, no phthalates, no formaldehyde, no chlorine, no halogen and no heavy metals. They contain a minimum of 31% post consumer recycled content.

The rug pad we recommend for use under Creative Matters floor coverings is the natural rubber and jute EcoNet Rug Pad by Jade Industries. Through its partnership with Trees for the Future, Jade plants a tree for every EcoNet pad sold. LEED certified and green rated pads can also be recommended.