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When it comes to choosing flooring for your home, you might not even know eco-friendly options exist. But for over 100 years, Forbo has been manufacturing Marmoleum, an all natural linoleum. Katie Kelleher reports: What is it? Marmoleum is made into flooring sheets or tiles from a compound of linseed oil, rosins, cork flour, limestone and wood flour that’s adhered to a nontoxic jute backing. These ingredients create a tough environmentally-friendly product that becomes harder and more durable over time. Naturally occurring anti-bacteria and anti-static properties are added to the mix to help the flooring resist dust and inhibit the growth of germs that cause disease. You can buy it online or find a local distributor by entering your location information into the website. Plus, Marmoleum is a cinch to clean. Stains do not penetrate Marmoleum due to itsTopshield protective layer; it is best cleaned by vacuuming, sweeping, or using a mop and the company cleaning solution. Marmoleum Click offers consumers design flexibility, additional health benefits, and money-saving benefits, too: the flooring “clicks” together in a fit that requires no adhesives that can emit nasty fumes With its 24 color choices and many design possibilities, Marmoleum is equally appropriate for residential or corporate settings.(It was installed in our company kitchen when the offices were renovated.) The website'sMarmoleum Click Floorplanner lets you create a virtual room, including furniture, to test out your favorite floor design. Also, the flooring is comfortable to walk on, thanks to the softening effect of the natural jute fiber backing. Marmoleum Click can last upwards of 30 years without being replaced. What could be improved? Because Marmoleum is made from natural ingredients, the color of the floor may vary from the sample or could change over time. Also, the flooring cannot currently be recycled once it's been used. On the plus side, it will decompose in a landfill without releasing harmful chemicals into the ground, water or air. Also, the company strives to maximize materials recycling during manufacturing to minimize waste. Corporate responsibility: Forbo has partnered with WWF, the global conservation organization, to donate proceeds from Marmoleum sales to the environmental group’s crusade to protect the environment. For every square meter sold from eight designated green linoleum floor covering colors bought anywhere in the world, Forbo donates the equivalent of $0.68 to the WWF. This translates to about a $50.00 donation when a room the size of an average elementary school classroom is floored using Marmoleum. Product comparison: Flor Carpet Tiles offer a possible eco-alternative to Marmoleum Click, with the added advantage that they can be recycled. However, it is not apparent on Flor's website whether the company meets the same level of sustainable standards that Marmoleum does. Marmoleum looks especially appealing when compared to two of the mostWhat I like: Forbo sought to minimize its environmental impact long before it was trendy, and has the third-party certifications to prove it. Marmoelum has received aPlatinum certification from the SMART Sustainable Products Standard. It has also been certified under the ISO 14001, a global environmental management standard for sustainable practices. Additionally, Marmoleum’s health and wellness claims have been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. No greenwashing here.