I had a wonderful return client come to me recently very enthusiastic about the loose-lay vinyl tile they laid in their basement - one of the preferred recycling materials locally, so it MUST be green, right? 

To quote a colleague who specializes in sustainable product research, “The Vinyl Institute has done a great job of misleading consumers about the toxicity of the products their industry produces… Inherently, petroleum-based products are toxic, regardless if they can be recycled.”

These products will tote their sustainability to the moon and back, with certifications to boot. Who wouldn’t believe this information? We read their sustainability statements and were nearly sold on how environmentally friendly some of these products seem to be! It’s easy to read the sales pitch and miss the information they intentionally leave out, “it’s made of sustainable raw materials” without mentioning that is only 1% of the product makeup.

Here is what they won’t tell you:

Phthalates

A study in 2015 showed that 58% of vinyl flooring contained phthalates. These are chemicals that offgas and may cause fertility problems among other issues. The great news is that manufacturers are responding to this study and an updated study in 2018 showed no trace of phthalates in a few select tiles from Lowe’s and LL Flooring. 

We aren’t out of the woods yet though. This does not mean that all products have eliminated this harmful chemical, however, so it’s good to keep an eye out for! 

Recycled Materials

It sounds so great when we hear that a product has been recycled or can be recycled. But, let’s remind ourselves of the order of importance in that good old mantra we all learned in school- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycle is listed last because it is a last resort. Ideally, we reduce the elements we introduce first, then we reuse what we can. If all else fails, we recycle. Vinyl flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is hazardous from production to disposal. There is no completely safe way to manufacture or dispose of PVC.

Next, we look at the likelihood of this amazing recyclable product actually being recycled. Vinyl products love to talk about their recyclability, but did you know that as of today only 1% of these products are truly being recycled? If that recyclable product does not get recycled, we all know where it ends up - in a landfill where it will not decompose… ever.

"Thermoplastic quality makes PVC a good candidate for recycling and reclamation, but so far the industry has not seen much post-consumer recycled material. For PVC to become a valid sustainable product, it will have to be kept out of the waste stream, and this is one of the issues manufacturers are currently struggling with." Floor Daily

Where some products have eliminated phthalates, we now see heavy metals, such as cadmium, due to the sourcing of recycled plastic electronic waste.

In fact, in order to reduce the number of toxins in our vinyl floors, Floor & Decor and LL Flooring eliminated recycled vinyl to avoid incorporating hazardous contaminants. You read that right - we are banning recycling to protect our health! It’s just not all it's cracked up to be.

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to look at what it means to recycle a product. That recycling process may mean the release of dangerous chemicals into our environment. Knowing what the impact is if the product is not recycled is also important because as responsible consumers, we have to consider what others will do with this product at the end of its lifecycle as well.

Renewable Resources

Vinyl is a non-renewable resource, meaning that any new vinyl products utilize and deplete natural resources that can never be replenished. Commonly known renewable resources include bamboo, cork, grasses, and wool. Essentially, if it comes from a fast-growing plant or an animal, we’re in the clear. 

Of course, we need non-renewable resources in our homes for durability and functionality. Metals, stone, and clay are nonrenewable products that can easily be reused and recycled with little to no environmental impact.

Vinyl from a Design Standpoint

While this element may not seem relevant to sustainability, longevity is absolutely important in the world of sustainability. When we design a space, we want to ensure that space lasts the test of time. The last thing we want is for the products we specified to be torn out a short time later and added to the construction waste that dominates our planet.

A key element in design is honesty in materials. When we don’t have this, finishes feel lower quality. We tire of them faster, and they are the first to go in a remodel. Vinyl is the bottom of the barrel in terms of quality. It scratches, gouges, fades, and well… it’s a picture of a real product stamped in plastic. There is no honesty in that, and while we all may see the functionality and ease of the product, it is poor design.

Vinyl/Plastic Alternatives

We are most often seeing vinyl used as a flooring finish, but it also comes in the form of wallcovering, plastic laminate furnishings/countertops, acrylic cabinet pulls, and legs of furnishings, among others.

Many of these substitutes are easy to find - consider sintered stone, wood, or steel counters. Wallcovering can just as easily be found in woven grasses and paper. Cabinet pulls are metal most often with glass and wood popping up here and there. Flooring is where people generally feel that vinyl is the only option. They see that these vinyl tiles are in the $2-4/sf range and do not need adhesives to install for the easiest possible installation. Add to that the waterproof nature, and we have a climate crisis for all the major purchases of vinyl flooring.

Next time you’re tempted by vinyl, take a look at these products as you reconsider!

Marmoleum: A product made with sawdust waste, clay, and linseed oil, this product has a unique look and comes in many different formats. A click-tile is easy to install with no adhesives required and pricing is comparable to vinyl in the $4-5/sf range on average.

Cork: An incredibly renewable resource and a gorgeous product. Cork is a softer material and it is important to be prepared for the reality of “you have to love your kids/pets more than your floors”. It’s also easy to repair and self-heals (not gouges, but it can self-heal from stabs and pressure marks). Cork also comes in floating formats so that it may be installed easily with no adhesive and typically runs in the $7-8/sf range. 

Both of the above products are some of the most sustainable products on the market, are highly affordable, water-resistant (cork can easily be made waterproof with the right bonding agent), and durable. Of course, there are several other alternatives (tile, wood, bamboo, etc.) but with the focus on presenting resilient flooring that provides a water-resistant/waterproof and durable option that is similar in nature to what vinyl promotes, these alternatives are great directions.

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Waldron Designs is a sustainable design firm and we will not specify vinyl finishes in your home where there are alternatives. We understand that it is your project, your space, and your money and so if it truly comes down to this being your preferred option, we will note “product specified by owner”. It is important to consider, however, that most of our preferred contractors are unlikely to be the ones to install this product as well. They are our preferred contractors because they, like us, have a commitment to quality, health, and sustainability.

We strongly encourage utilizing resources such as your local sustainability consultants prior to making purchasing decisions with controversial items that claim to be “green”. Below are some wonderful resources about vinyl flooring:

Green Building Supply

EWG’s Healthy Living: Home Guide