How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Wallpaper

Introduction:

In today’s world, where sustainability is becoming a priority for many, eco-friendly choices in home decor are more accessible than ever. From energy-efficient lighting to sustainable furniture, there are numerous ways to reduce your home’s environmental impact. One important and often overlooked element is wallpaper. The right wallpaper can transform a room, but did you know it can also contribute to environmental preservation?

At Peel and Paper, we believe that beauty and sustainability can go hand in hand. We offer a range of eco-friendly wallpapers, designed not just to enhance your space, but also to promote responsible choices. Our commitment to the environment extends beyond our materials—we plant a tree for every order placed. With options ranging from Peel & Stick to durable Heavy-Grade wallpaper, we make it easier than ever for homeowners to create a stylish, sustainable interior.

Choosing an eco-friendly wallpaper is more than just a design decision—it's a small but significant step toward a greener planet. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key factors to consider when making this choice and how our wallpapers help you reduce your carbon footprint without compromising on style.

Why Eco-Friendly Wallpaper Matters

Choosing eco-friendly wallpaper is not just a trend; it’s a responsible choice that has lasting benefits for both your home and the environment. Traditional wallpaper often contains harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can release toxic gases into the air over time, affecting the air quality in your home and contributing to pollution. Eco-friendly wallpapers, on the other hand, are designed to be free of VOCs, harmful chemicals, and PVC, making them a safer option for your living spaces and family.

Moreover, the environmental impact of traditional wallpaper production is significant. The sourcing of paper without responsible forestry practices leads to deforestation, while chemical-intensive manufacturing processes add further strain on natural resources. By choosing wallpapers made from FSC-certified paper, like those from Peel and Paper, you are supporting responsible forestry management and reducing the demand for unsustainable practices​

Eco-friendly wallpapers are also designed with durability and reusability in mind. Many of them, like Peel and Paper’s Peel & Stick options, are easy to remove and reposition without damaging the walls or requiring new materials for reapplication. This reduces waste and minimizes the need for frequent replacements, making it a more sustainable and economical choice over time​

Lastly, Peel and Paper takes their environmental commitment a step further by planting a tree for every order. This initiative directly contributes to reforestation efforts, helping to offset carbon emissions and restore ecosystems that have been impacted by deforestation. ​Every wallpaper purchase is a small step toward reducing your home’s carbon footprint and contributing to a healthier planet.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Eco-Friendly Wallpaper

When selecting eco-friendly wallpaper, it's important to evaluate several key factors to ensure you're making a sustainable and responsible choice without sacrificing style or functionality. Here's what to look for:

1. Material Sourcing

The foundation of an eco-friendly wallpaper starts with the materials. Look for wallpapers made from FSC-certified paper, which guarantees that the paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification helps reduce deforestation and promotes sustainable forestry practices. Peel and Paper’s wallpapers are an example of using responsibly sourced paper that supports eco-conscious consumer choices.

Additionally, consider natural or renewable materials such as recycled paper, bamboo, or grasscloth, which further minimize the impact on the environment.

2. Low VOCs and Non-Toxic Adhesives

One of the most harmful aspects of traditional wallpaper is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can off-gas over time, affecting indoor air quality and contributing to environmental pollution. Eco-friendly wallpaper options are typically low-VOC or completely VOC-free, making them safer for your home and the planet​.

Also, focus on the type of adhesive used. Peel and Paper's products utilize water-based, VOC-free adhesives, ensuring that no harmful chemicals are released into your living environment. This not only benefits your health but also reduces the overall environmental impact​.

3. Durability and Longevity

Choosing a wallpaper that is designed for durability is essential for reducing waste. Longer-lasting products require fewer replacements, which in turn reduces the demand for raw materials and production. Eco-friendly wallpapers like Peel and Paper’s Heavy-Grade Wallpaper are designed to be durable and water-resistant, making them ideal for long-term use in high-traffic areas.

Moreover, their Peel & Stick options are removable and reusable, which provides flexibility while reducing waste. If you decide to redecorate or change your wallpaper, you can easily remove it without causing damage to your walls or needing new materials​.

4. Compatibility with Wall Types

Before choosing eco-friendly wallpaper, consider the surface it will be applied to. Different wallpapers work better on different types of walls:

• Peel & Stick Wallpaper is perfect for smooth surfaces and easy, damage-free removal.
• Peel & Stick Vinyl works well on textured walls like orange peel or knockdown and is highly durable, making it ideal for bathrooms and high-traffic areas.
• Heavy-Grade Wallpaper is a more permanent solution that’s water-resistant and ideal for long-term applications​.

Testing samples before full installation helps ensure compatibility with your walls and reduces the likelihood of waste due to mismatches.

5. Environmental Certifications

Look for third-party certifications that guarantee the eco-friendliness of the wallpaper:

• FSC Certification: Ensures that the paper used is from responsibly managed forests
• GreenGuard Gold Certification: Confirms that the wallpaper has low chemical emissions and is safe for indoor air quality​
• REACH Compliance: Ensures that the wallpaper materials are safe for human health and the environment​.

By considering these factors—material sourcing, low VOC content, durability, wall compatibility, and environmental certifications—you can confidently choose eco-friendly wallpaper that not only enhances your space but also contributes to a healthier planet. Peel and Paper’s range of eco-conscious options makes it easier than ever to make sustainable choices without compromising on design or quality.

Types of Eco-Friendly Wallpaper

When it comes to selecting eco-friendly wallpaper, understanding the different types available is crucial for choosing the right option for your space. Peel and Paper offers a variety of eco-conscious wallpapers that cater to different needs and preferences. Here's a breakdown of the main types of eco-friendly wallpaper they provide:

1. Peel & Stick Wallpaper

What It Is: This type of wallpaper is made from real wallpaper material, offering a warm texture similar to traditional wallpapers. It is easy to apply and remove, making it perfect for renters or those looking to refresh their space without the commitment of permanent installation.

Eco-Friendly Benefits: The peel-and-stick design means there’s no need for paste or harsh chemicals. It is also VOC-free, contributing to better indoor air quality. This wallpaper is ideal for smooth walls and can be removed without causing damage, making it reusable and reducing waste​.

2. Peel & Stick Vinyl

What It Is: Designed for durability, Peel & Stick Vinyl is a high-performance option that is waterproof and resistant to damage, making it perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Eco-Friendly Benefits: While vinyl has historically been considered less eco-friendly, Peel and Paper’s vinyl is phthalate-free and non-toxic, ensuring it is safer for both your home and the environment. Additionally, it is compatible with textured walls like orange peel or knockdown, making it a versatile option​.

3. Heavy-Grade Wallpaper

What It Is: This is a more permanent, paste-the-wall wallpaper option, designed for those looking for a long-lasting, water-resistant solution. It has a thick, premium feel with a smooth satin finish, making it ideal for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas such as living rooms and bathrooms.

Eco-Friendly Benefits: Heavy-Grade Wallpaper is designed to be durable and resistant to wear and tear, which means fewer replacements over time. By choosing this option, you are minimizing waste and promoting a more sustainable choice for long-term use​.

4. Other Key Considerations

Reusable and Removable: Peel and Paper’s Peel & Stick options are designed to be removed and reused without damaging walls, which helps reduce material waste.

Water-Based Adhesives: All of Peel and Paper's products use water-based, VOC-free adhesives, ensuring that no harmful chemicals are released into your living environment, aligning with eco-conscious choices​.

Each of these types of eco-friendly wallpaper comes with its own advantages, whether you’re looking for something that’s easy to install, durable, or suitable for textured walls. By selecting the right type for your space, you can enhance your home while making a positive environmental impact.

Certifications to Look For

When choosing eco-friendly wallpaper, certifications are key indicators of a product’s environmental and health standards. These certifications ensure that the materials, production processes, and final products meet specific guidelines that prioritize sustainability, safety, and low environmental impact. Here are the most important certifications to look for when selecting wallpaper:

1. FSC Certification (Forest Stewardship Council)

• What It Means: FSC certification ensures that the paper used in wallpaper comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. This certification is a guarantee that the wood fibers in the wallpaper are harvested in a way that protects ecosystems, biodiversity, and the rights of indigenous people​
• Why It’s Important: By choosing FSC-certified wallpaper, you support sustainable forestry practices and help reduce deforestation. Peel and Paper uses FSC-certified materials in their products, aligning with their eco-conscious commitment​.

2. GreenGuard Gold Certification

• What It Means: GreenGuard Gold certification focuses on indoor air quality and ensures that the wallpaper emits very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals. It is especially important for products used in sensitive environments like schools, healthcare facilities, and homes.
• Why It’s Important: VOCs can contribute to air pollution and cause health problems, particularly in indoor spaces. Wallpapers that meet GreenGuard Gold standards are tested for their impact on air quality, ensuring a healthier, non-toxic environment for you and your family​.

3. REACH Compliance

• What It Means: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) is a European Union regulation that promotes the safe use of chemicals in products. REACH compliance means that the wallpaper does not contain substances that could harm human health or the environment.
• Why It’s Important: Products that are REACH compliant ensure safety by regulating the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Peel and Paper’s wallpaper materials comply with these regulations, making them a safe and eco-friendly choice​.

4. Phthalate-Free and PVC-Free

• What It Means: Many traditional wallpapers are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and phthalates, which can release harmful chemicals into the air over time. Eco-friendly options are often free from these materials, ensuring that they are non-toxic and safer for both people and the environment.
• Why It’s Important: PVC and phthalates can have long-lasting negative effects on human health and the environment. Choosing wallpaper that is free from these substances helps to maintain cleaner indoor air quality and reduces environmental pollution.

By ensuring that your wallpaper has these certifications, you can be confident that you’re making a choice that is not only beautiful but also safe and sustainable. Peel and Paper’s eco-friendly wallpaper options adhere to these certifications, offering products that support your health and the environment while still delivering stylish designs.

Peel and Paper’s Environmental Impact

Peel and Paper is committed to more than just creating beautiful and functional wallpaper; the company takes its environmental responsibility seriously, making concerted efforts to minimize its ecological footprint. Here are some of the ways Peel and Paper contributes to environmental sustainability:

1. Tree-Planting Initiative

• For every order placed, Peel and Paper plants a tree. This initiative directly supports reforestation efforts, helping to offset carbon emissions, rebuild natural ecosystems, and combat deforestation. Trees play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gases and improving air quality, so this program is a simple yet powerful way for customers to contribute to environmental restoration​.
• By integrating this tree-planting initiative into their business model, Peel and Paper ensures that every purchase has a positive environmental impact, aligning with the global push for more sustainable consumer practices.

2. Sustainable Materials

• Peel and Paper uses FSC-certified paper in their wallpaper production, which guarantees that the wood fibers used are sourced from responsibly managed forests. This certification promotes sustainable forestry, ensuring that the harvesting process preserves biodiversity and respects the rights of local communities​.
• Additionally, the company avoids harmful materials such as PVC and phthalates, which are commonly found in traditional wallpapers. By using PVC-free and phthalate-free materials, they reduce the release of toxic chemicals that can harm both human health and the environment.

3. Low VOCs and Non-Toxic Adhesives

• Indoor air quality is a major concern when using home decor products like wallpaper. Many conventional wallpapers release harmful chemicals over time, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can lead to long-term health risks. Peel and Paper ensures that their wallpapers are made with water-based, VOC-free adhesives, making them safer for both the environment and your home. This reduces indoor air pollution and contributes to healthier living spaces.
• Their inks are also GreenGuard Gold certified, which means they meet strict standards for low emissions, contributing to a healthier indoor environment and reducing the wallpaper’s overall environmental impact​.

4. Durability and Reusability

• One of the most sustainable features of Peel and Paper’s products is their focus on durability and reusability. The Peel & Stick wallpaper can be easily removed and repositioned, which not only reduces waste but also allows customers to refresh their space without needing to buy new materials. This contrasts with traditional wallpapers that are often difficult to remove and may end up in landfills.
• Their Heavy-Grade Wallpaper is designed to be long-lasting and water-resistant, reducing the need for frequent replacements. By offering durable products, Peel and Paper helps reduce waste and resource consumption over time​.

5. Sustainable Production and Certifications

• Peel and Paper adheres to environmentally responsible production processes, ensuring that their wallpapers meet important certifications such as FSC (for sustainable forestry) and REACH compliance, which guarantees that no harmful chemicals are used during production.
• The company's focus on non-toxic, low-emission products means that their wallpapers are not only beautiful but also aligned with sustainable living practices.

In summary, Peel and Paper’s environmental impact extends beyond just creating eco-friendly wallpaper. By planting trees for every order, using sustainable and non-toxic materials, and producing long-lasting products, the company actively contributes to a healthier planet while offering customers stylish, responsible choices for their homes.

Sample Selection and Testing

Choosing the perfect wallpaper can be a big decision, especially when you're trying to balance aesthetics with eco-friendly considerations. That's why testing samples before committing to a full order is crucial. Peel and Paper offers sample options that allow customers to experience the look, feel, and compatibility of their wallpapers before making a final decision.

1. Why Order Samples?

1. Color Accuracy: Colors can look different on screens versus in real life. Ordering samples helps you see how the wallpaper’s colors will appear in your specific lighting conditions. Peel and Paper’s range of wallpapers, including their Peel & Stick and Heavy-Grade options, can vary in sheen and texture depending on the lighting in your home​.
2. Texture and Finish: Some wallpaper finishes, like the smooth satin of their Heavy-Grade Wallpaper or the textured feel of their Peel & Stick Vinyl, may not be fully appreciated without a physical sample. Testing samples ensures you understand the tactile qualities before committing to the full installation.
3. Wall Compatibility: It’s essential to test how the wallpaper will adhere to your wall surface. While Peel & Stick Wallpaper works best on smooth walls, their Peel & Stick Vinyl is ideal for textured surfaces like orange peel or knockdown. Ordering a sample allows you to check whether the wallpaper will work on your wall without complications.

2. How to Test Samples Effectively

• Place Samples on Different Walls: Lighting can change dramatically from room to room, especially if you have different levels of natural or artificial light. Place samples on multiple walls to see how the color and texture react in various lighting environments.
• Test in High-Use Areas: If you're considering wallpaper for high-traffic areas or moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms or kitchens, test the durability of samples in those areas. Peel and Paper’s Peel & Stick Vinyl is a great option for spaces that experience more wear and tear due to its waterproof and damage-resistant properties​.
• Check for Adhesion: For Peel & Stick wallpapers, ensure the wallpaper adheres properly to your wall type. This is especially important if you have textured walls, as different textures may show through the wallpaper or affect its longevity. Testing for adhesion will also help you determine whether the wallpaper can be easily repositioned or removed without damage​.

3. Minimize Waste with Samples

Testing samples also helps reduce waste. By verifying that the wallpaper suits your space in terms of color, texture, and adhesion, you avoid ordering wallpaper that may not be compatible with your walls or your style, thus minimizing the risk of returns or unused product. This is particularly important when trying to make eco-friendly choices, as it aligns with Peel and Paper’s commitment to reducing environmental waste​.

4. Customize and Confirm Your Choice

At Peel and Paper, you can customize your wallpaper’s colors and design before ordering a sample. This gives you the opportunity to see your unique design in person, ensuring it fits your vision perfectly. Once you’re happy with the sample, you can proceed with confidence, knowing your final choice will match your expectations​.

Conclusion

Choosing eco-friendly wallpaper is an impactful way to create a stylish, sustainable living space while contributing to environmental preservation. By considering factors such as responsibly sourced materials, low VOC adhesives, durability, and environmental certifications, you can ensure that your wallpaper choice is both beautiful and planet-friendly. Peel and Paper makes this process easier by offering a variety of eco-conscious wallpaper options that cater to different spaces and needs, from Peel & Stick Wallpaper for flexibility to Heavy-Grade options for long-lasting durability.

Moreover, Peel and Paper’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond their products—they plant a tree for every order, actively contributing to reforestation and reducing their carbon footprint. This initiative, combined with the use of non-toxic materials and responsible production processes, underscores their dedication to environmental stewardship​.

By choosing eco-friendly wallpaper, you’re making a conscious decision to improve your home’s aesthetics while also supporting a healthier planet. Whether you’re redecorating a room or transforming your entire home, Peel and Paper offers an array of eco-friendly options that allow you to make stylish, sustainable choices that benefit both you and the environment.

FAQs

1. What makes Peel and Paper’s wallpapers eco-friendly?

Peel and Paper's wallpapers are eco-friendly due to their use of FSC-certified paper, which ensures that the wood fibers come from responsibly managed forests. They also use VOC-free adhesives and non-toxic inks, which help maintain good indoor air quality by reducing harmful emissions. Additionally, their products are PVC- and phthalate-free, further minimizing their environmental impact​. As part of their commitment to sustainability, Peel and Paper also plants a tree for every order.

2. Can Peel and Paper wallpapers be used in bathrooms or high-moisture areas?

Yes, Peel and Paper offers a specific option for high-moisture areas: Peel & Stick Vinyl. This wallpaper type is waterproof and designed for durability, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or any high-traffic areas. It is also compatible with textured walls like orange peel or knockdown​.

3. Are Peel and Paper’s wallpapers removable and reusable?

Yes, Peel and Paper’s Peel & Stick wallpapers are designed to be both removable and reusable. They can be easily repositioned or taken down without damaging the walls or leaving behind adhesive residue. This makes them a flexible and eco-friendly choice, reducing waste when you want to redecorate or change your space.

4. What types of certifications do Peel and Paper’s wallpapers have?

Peel and Paper’s wallpapers come with several important certifications:

• FSC Certification: Ensures the paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
• GreenGuard Gold Certification: Guarantees that the wallpaper emits very low levels of VOCs and is safe for indoor air quality​.
• REACH Compliance: Assures that no harmful chemicals are used in the production process​.

5. How can I ensure that the wallpaper I choose will work on my walls?

Peel and Paper offers sample options to test the wallpaper before purchasing. This allows you to check for color accuracy, texture, and compatibility with your wall surface. For smooth walls, their Peel & Stick Wallpaper is ideal, while Peel & Stick Vinyl is better suited for textured walls. Testing samples will ensure proper adhesion and reduce the risk of ordering the wrong product​.