Environment Flooring It

Cork: Usually taken from a bottling company’s leftovers, it’s softer underfoot than hardwood (from $6.50 per square foot; greenfloors.com ).

Recycled glass: It’s more slippery than ceramic, so use the smallest, one-inch tiles for your bathroom (about $30 per square foot; sandhillind.com ).

Renewable rugs: Flor ( florcatalog.com ) is one of a growing number of companies offering partially recycled, adhesive-free rugs (from $6.50 per square foot).