Ecological Wallpaper
When deciding to decorate your home you must take into consideration the impact of your choice on our planet. Choosing papier peint ecologique is one of the best ways to do this. It can be made from a variety of materials that have lower carbon footprints over their entire life cycle. It may be paper with a PVC-free coating or even textile based, and it has much lower emissions than regular wallpaper over its whole lifecycle. It can be produced in compliance with strict environmental laws, using low-pollutant carrier and surface materials that are low in VOCs. It can be printed with eco-friendly inks that are also solvent-free. The dyes and binding agents used must be free from fungicides, pesticides and herbicides as well.
Moreover, the wallpaper should not be coated with harmful plasticizers like vinyl (PVC) that contain chemicals and hormones that are detrimental to our health and the environment. A study conducted by The Ecology Center in 2010 found that the majority of wallpapers have a PVC coating, and some of these contain Brominated Flame Retardants which are toxic to our health. These harmful plasticizers are not counted or measured as VOCs in certifications such as Greenguard Gold.
Other important criteria are that the wallpaper is breathable and water-resistant, making it perfect for sanitary and children’s rooms. These sustainable wallpapers will not produce strange odours and will release excess moisture instead of storing it up to cause rot or bacteria growth in the future. They also have low emissivity to reduce heat loss in cold environments and are a great solution for energy saving projects.
The simplest way to ensure your wallpaper is eco-friendly is by checking whether it is PVC-free and contains no brominated flame retardants. You can find this information in the description of any product. If you want to be extra sure, you can order samples from various companies to check the quality and look of their products.
Eco-friendly wallpapers are not only good for the environment but are also more durable and easier to install than traditional ones. This is because they are printed with a layer of glue that makes them stronger, and the backing material is either paper or fabric. During the installation process you will not need a lot of tools, and they are easily re-positionable or removable within 24 hours.
It can be a challenge to decide on the right design for your room, but there is no need to sacrifice style in favor of sustainability. There are many designers that offer designs and styles that are both beautiful and ecological.
One of our favorites is Graham & Brown, a British company that specializes in wallpaper with an eco-friendly background and a sustainable vinyl coating. They have been working for 20 years to improve and are presently carbon neutral, with the goal of being fully carbon zero by 2030. They get all their electricity from renewable resources, recycle their inks and use electric vehicles. They are also active in the community by donating to conservation projects, including the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve in Borneo and sustainable forestry projects in Uruguay. They also support the arts by offering a wide selection of handmade, hand-painted wallpapers.