by Jackie Norris

Douglas Busch says he's always been eco-conscious, so when it came time to choose flooring for his 4,500-square-foot home in Malibu, Calif., he refused to lower his standards.

"I don't use any synthetics — everything in my home is natural," says the fine art photographer. After seeing recycled-leather flooring in a green living magazine, Busch knew he had to have it. "It smells and feels like leather," he says. "It's green, but still very sexy." 

Recycled-leather flooring is a relatively new option for homeowners and only specialty retailers are carrying the unique product, but experts are confident it will become a popular choice.

"It's great for people who suffer from allergies or anyone interested in natural home decor," says Bruce Beaudoin, owner of highly rated Floors of Distinction in Maple Grove, Minn. "It's made from post-industrial waste and has either a cork or natural-rubber backing."

Carol Blaha, green flooring sales representative in Denver and founder of the U.S. Green Building Council's Colorado chapter, says people often have misconceptions about the durability of the material and its practicality.

"People are always concerned at first," Blaha says. "But in abrasion tests, it outperforms linoleum."

Besides being resilient, recycled leather is also easy to maintain and doesn't require harsh chemicals to keep clean — something that was important to Busch.

"It's tougher than you would think, and I just wipe it down with soapy water," Busch says. "After all, what's the point of living in a clean home environment and then using toxic stuff?"

The manufacturers of recycled-leather flooring use water-based materials and natural dyes, making the product low-VOC. It can be easily installed anywhere hardwood or cork flooring would be used.

Depending on the manufacturer, the products come in different sized tiles or planks. The planks click together much like hardwood flooring, and the tiles can be arranged on floors, or even walls, using a water-based glue.

Customers can expect to spend between $15 and $50 per square foot, depending on the manufacturer, color and pattern.

One of the more prevalent brands of recycled-leather flooring, EcoDomo, is made of 85-percent recycled material and can be custom ordered in colors such as red, ivory and green, and comes in natural leather, buffalo and crocodile prints.

TORLYS, another popular brand, is made of 100-percent recycled material and comes in plank or tile form, with patterns that range from a smooth surface to an alligator or crocodile embossed on the top.

Busch, who's a member of a Malibu sustainable building committee, had EcoDomo's natural leather grain flooring in saddle, dark brown and maroon installed in his library and studio, and even on the walls in his media room. He says everyone who sees it is wowed, but what impresses him the most is that the leather flooring isn't just aesthetically pleasing, but responsible.

"We live in a throw-away society," he says. "If we don't start rethinking the choices we make, our resources will be gone."