When we say “organic mattress,” we mean that our mattress is made from the purest and most healthful materials. We use certified organic wool, certified organic cotton, and the purest natural latex. However, currently, there is no clear cut definition as to what is an organic mattress and what is not an organic mattress.
As more and more manufacturers produce mattresses that are “green,” we will find more and more terms and definitions to describe them. Many are just giving them consumer friendly names such as eco mattress, green mattress, environmentally friendly mattress, and so forth. The names sell, but it’s hard to tell what is merely greenwashing. Some manufacturers self-certify, make empty claims, or exaggerate their product.
In order to evaluate how “green” a mattress is, we should first of all realize that “greenness” is always part of a continuum. Then, we can study the details of its materials and ask some of the following questions:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the only organization that publishes standards for the term “organic.” If you want to learn more about what organic means, the National Agriculture Library or NAL, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extensive resources.
The terms green, eco, or environmentally friendly are sometimes sincere efforts to create and uphold standards, but are frequently used purely as marketing terms. For example, we have seen plenty of mattresses labeled as “green mattresses” that use 20% soy visco, a more natural type of memory foam. The 20% soy visco is combined with regular memory foam produced from petroleum.
There are also labels for “eco mattresses” and “environmentally friendly mattresses” that contain conventional chemical flame retardants. In terms of sustainability, this kind of mattress is much closer to a conventional mattress. Most of the content is not green at all.
If you’re looking for an organic mattress, you’ll have to do some background research on the products you’re looking for. You will want to see the product is focused on certified organic and independently certified materials. And, just as importantly, in your search for purity and sustainability don’t forget mattress comfort and your own quality of sleep.
As more and more manufacturers produce mattresses that are “green,” we will find more and more terms and definitions to describe them. Many are just giving them consumer friendly names such as eco mattress, green mattress, environmentally friendly mattress, and so forth. The names sell, but it’s hard to tell what is merely greenwashing. Some manufacturers self-certify, make empty claims, or exaggerate their product.
In order to evaluate how “green” a mattress is, we should first of all realize that “greenness” is always part of a continuum. Then, we can study the details of its materials and ask some of the following questions:
- What portions of its materials are certified organic?
- Are the other materials independently tested for purity?
- Who is the testing lab or the certifying agency?
- Is the company self-certifying? Are they using superlatives like “purest mattress” or “most green mattress” or “most environmentally friendly mattress” or “best eco mattress?”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the only organization that publishes standards for the term “organic.” If you want to learn more about what organic means, the National Agriculture Library or NAL, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extensive resources.
The terms green, eco, or environmentally friendly are sometimes sincere efforts to create and uphold standards, but are frequently used purely as marketing terms. For example, we have seen plenty of mattresses labeled as “green mattresses” that use 20% soy visco, a more natural type of memory foam. The 20% soy visco is combined with regular memory foam produced from petroleum.
There are also labels for “eco mattresses” and “environmentally friendly mattresses” that contain conventional chemical flame retardants. In terms of sustainability, this kind of mattress is much closer to a conventional mattress. Most of the content is not green at all.
If you’re looking for an organic mattress, you’ll have to do some background research on the products you’re looking for. You will want to see the product is focused on certified organic and independently certified materials. And, just as importantly, in your search for purity and sustainability don’t forget mattress comfort and your own quality of sleep.