Sustainability Goals: The Rug Industry Working Together is a Round Table Discussion, hosted by COVER in partnership with Label STEP at COVER Connect New York.

In many regards the handmade rug industry is well positioned to respond to the demand for eco-friendly, sustainable products. Made using natural fibres, longevity is a key aspect of handmade rugs’ quality and design. However, there can be environmental harm connected to their production. Often, wastewater remains untreated; plastics are used for packaging; and long distances separate production sites and consumer markets, meaning transportation is commonly by air. This Round Table Discussion will present current approaches by Label STEP and stakeholders to minimise their environmental impact, discuss new ideas and identify areas of potential collaboration to create a greener rug industry.

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COVER Connect New York is an annual boutique trade show for high-end rug brands, curated and hosted by COVER magazine, in central Manhattan. Since 2005, COVER has been at the heart of the world of contemporary handmade rugs, serving buyers, architects and interior design professionals across the globe. At COVER Connect New York 2023, COVER will host two Round Table Discussions in partnership with Label STEP: a fair-trade non-profit organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1995, which is committed to the wellbeing of weavers and workers in the handmade carpet industry. Label STEP’s well-established and comprehensive requirements encompass universal human rights, including the prohibition of child labour; safe working conditions; fair wages; and sustainable, eco-friendly production.