Sustainable Mattress Choices for High Quality Sleep

Sleep quality is really important and our mattresses play a big role in our comfort. However, our mattresses aren’t always made in an environmentally responsible manner. Traditional

mattresses usually contain chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, including formaldehyde and mercury. These past few years, it has been a constant challenge for mattress companies to create sustainable earth-friendly beds.

These environmentally responsible companies sell “mattresses-in-a-box”, which are mattresses compressed in small boxes and expands when opened.

Here are the things that you should consider when you look for companies that sell eco-friendly mattresses:

The Company’s Supply Chain

This pertains to the distance the materials are shipped before and after the mattresses ae

manufactured. The shorter the shipping distances, the fewer the emissions are to the atmosphere. Companies like Saatva, Loom & Leaf, ZenHaven, Tuft & Needle, and Casper use materials that are made and grown only in the U.S. Therefore, they have the shortest supply chains.

Carbon Emissions Offsets

If there’s a second supply chain that needs to be considered as well. If a mattress maker offsets their shipping and manufacturing, carbon emissions with carbon credits or carbon sequestration programs like reforestation. So far, companies owned by Avocado Brands actively offset their

company carbon emissions.

Mattress Materials That Are Recyclable

If you’re looking for mattresses that are sustainable, its most common feature is for it to be

recyclable. The cotton, latex, wool and other materials should be considered biodegradable. However, if you are to dispose your mattresses, make sure that you send it to a responsible recycler.

Packaging Materials That Are Recyclable

It doesn’t just stop with the mattress itself that needs to be recyclable. This should include the way the mattress was packed and delivered to you. As mentioned earlier, there are companies that offer “mattress-in-a-box” an

The sad news is, old mattress recycling services are not required in 47 states. It’s only available in California, Rhode Island and Connecticut and they have laws about requiring the removal and recycling of old mattresses. Some states also charge a certain fee at purchase which ensures that your mattress is recycled once you decide to get rid of it. Companies like Saatva, ZenHaven, Loom & Leaf, Happsy, Spindle and Casper has collaborated with 1-800-GOT-JUNK in order to provide

above. Below are the certifications that a company should have:

 Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging,

labelling, trading, and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70 percent certified

organic natural fibers.

         Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) outlines requirements for latex products. To
achieve GOLS certification, a product must contain more than 95 percent certified organic raw material and comply with permissible limits for harmful substances, emission test requirements, and polymer and filler percentages.

         CertiPUR-US Certification of the foam used in the mattress. The CertiPUR-US seal ensures

the mattress foam you or your kids sleep on is made without chemical flame retardants, mercury and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, or phtalates. CertiPUR-US also reviews the emissions, or “off-gassing,” by new mattresses for low volatile organic compound

(VOC) emissions, less than 0.5 parts per million.

 OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification addresses the safety and sustainability of textiles,

such as cotton and wool, used in mattresses. The Standard 100 certification provides customers assurance that harmful chemicals and environmentally harmful substances are

not produced by the manufacturing process or included in the product.

         Eco-INSTITUT Certification involves similar testing, measuring the emissions from the mattress and the environmental responsibility of the sourcing of materials. In particular, eco-INSTITUT examines the sources of latex, which is harvested from rubber trees, used
in mattresses.

         GREENGUARD Gold Certification from United Laboratories, validates that a mattress does
not exceed the emission standards for VOCs that contribute to indoor pollution.

Manufacturers usually take different approaches when it comes to delivering their eco-friendly mattresses at a reasonable price. The organic materials can be quite expensive for a lot of consumers and supply chains can vary too.

1. Avocado – Their company offers a sustainable and vegan version of their mattress. They

even have a certification for GREENGUARD Gold air quality, eco-INSTITUT natural latex, and OEKO-TEX textile safety. Not only that, but they have 100% GOTS organic certified cotton and wool, including hydrated silica. They even use recycled LDPE plastic for their packaging.

2. Brentwood Home – is also from Avocado company and they both have extensive sustainability certifications. They offer high quality seals and both emphasize the recyclability of their packaging.

3. Naturepedic – They’re an excellent source of sustainable mattresses. They also have the

4. Saatva – Has excellent material sourcing processes and has about 19 locations in the U.S. and Canada in order to minimize the shipping distance. They have also tapped the online

shopping market for ease of access. They’re also providing sustainable mattresses made

from latex foam, organic cotton and wool.

5. ZenHaven by Saatva – While Saatva is on the high end side, Zenhaven is the affordable

version. It has a very wide charity network and provides white glove installation and

mattress recycling service.

1. Happsy – Even though they rely from getting their latex from Asia, they encourage rubber
   plantation practices in which they argue lowers its carbon emissions.
2. Tuft & Needle – It’s available on Amazon and sources their materials and manufactures them in the U.S. only. This means that they have a short supply chain which minimizes
   their carbon footprint.
3. Casper – Is an online sensation. They work really well in improving the comfort of their
   mattresses and its sustainability. Their charity work is also very extensive, they have

contributed to more than 70,000 times to homeless and women’s shelter programs,

including employee volunteers that work with Start Small Think Big and Women In Need. 9. Spindle – They focus more on using natural materials in order to achieve the best price

possible.

While these categories and certifications vary differently from one company to another. It’s still up to consumers to choose what they see fit for their values.