Environmentally friendly rugs come in a number of forms; they can be made from recycled materials and materials that are considered renewable resources--those that are quickly replenished without a lot of strain on the environment, which usually come from a plant or animal.

Wool is one of the best options for environmentally safe, organic rugs. Wool is an easily renewable resource, because sheep have to be sheared yearly so they can be comfortable in the hot summer months--and it grows back quickly. Its durability makes it a good candidate for rugs in highly-trafficked areas and the coarse fibers actually help maintain indoor air quality by absorbing contaminants. The only downside to wool rugs is their susceptibility to water--it retains moisture, making it prone to a microorganism attack. But if you keep potted plants off your rug and don't lay them in moisture-rich areas like the bathroom, wool is a great choice.

Another great option is rugs made from bamboo, another renewable resource. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, so it is cost effective and not very harmful to the environment.

Other plant options like jute, seagrass, sisal, and cotton also work well. They are renewable, organic, and not harmful to the environment. Jute is composed mainly from plants that grow in warm, humid environments like parts of China and India. Jute comes in a variety of tan and brown colors, and like wool is susceptible to moisture--it is resistant to microorganisms but will actually deteriorate from moisture. Seagrass rugs are only available in their natural, organic green color, and are created from grasses grown mainly in China. Sisal is derived from cactus and grown mainly in semi-arid regions such as Africa.

Another environmentally friendly option is to purchase a rug made from recycled materials. Shaw has a program called Green Edge that takes old synthetic nylon rugs and carpets and breaks them down to their original materials, from which they are able to recreate carpet fibers. Other companies like Mohawk make their rugs from recycled bottles through their program GreenWorks, and even use the caps and labels to create the carpet cores. Their final products are made from 100% post-consumer material!

For some other great options, check out these from The Home Depot--make sure to choose ones from wool and other natural fibers.