Download the Press Release as PDF Fun, affordable rugs in a range of eco-friendly colors. Hand-crafted from 100% recycled fiber. Hand crafted from 100% recovered fiber. Earth-Friendly, Hand-Woven Rugs from Recycled Textiles offer Beauty and Style with Minimal Environmental Impact Hook & Loom Rug Company uses no dyes, chemicals or agricultural resources in creating affordable, colorful, distinctive rugs Lenox, Massachusetts (Sept. 24, 2013) – As Whit Selke embarked on a new venture to produce stylish, affordable hand-woven rugs, he committed to an ecologically-sensitive production model. His business, Hook & Loom Rug Company, uses 100 percent recycled textile fiber in its hand-woven rugs–an example of environmental responsibility in the textile industry. Selke, with years of experience in the home textiles industry, sought to avoid the use of dyes, which pollute the earth and generate excessive amounts of wastewater. He rejected organic cotton, which relies heavily on precious water and land resources. Instead, Hook & Loom Rug Co.’s color-rich yarns are spun from reclaimed, recycled textiles that would otherwise be destined for a landfill. The Hook & Loom result: colorful, beautifully designed rugs and runners in a variety of shapes and sizes, produced with minimal impact on precious natural resources. Affordable and whimsical in color and design, the rugs are ideal for houses, apartments, dorm rooms and vacation homes. “The vast majority of textiles added to landfills are entirely suitable for fiber recovery,” said Selke, whose business is based in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. “When we use this recovered fiber we reduce landfill use and, ideally, inspire other companies to follow our example.”

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Council for Textile Recycling:
• The average U.S. citizen discards 70 pounds of clothing and other textiles each year.
• In 2011, recovered textiles amounted to 2.0 million tons, or about 15 percent of what was discarded.
• Eighty-five percent of discarded textiles end up in landfills, but most are suitable for reuse.

The best-quality recovered textiles often find second-hand use. But those that are merely old or out of style can be recycled, broken down and returned to a fiber state suitable for re-spinning into fresh, second-life yarn. Hook & Loom materials are manufactured in India, where the textiles are is sorted by color, chopped up, pulled apart into fiber and then re-spun into 100 percent recycled yarn. Skilled craftspeople weave Hook & Loom rugs by hand on wooden looms in several weaving styles. “I wanted to do more than just create great-looking, affordable rugs,” said Selke. “I wanted to build an ecologically responsible business that might serve as a model for other companies. I wanted to build a business I could be proud of, inspire other businesses, and hopefully, encourage my customers to recognize the value and impact of recycling their textiles.” Founded by Whitney Selke, Hook & Loom Rug Company is based in Western Massachusetts, and makes 100 percent recycled rugs using repurposed textiles otherwise destined for landfills. hookandloom.com