By
Quynh Nguyen

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Stay impactful,

Koalas are widely recognized for their efforts to give back, especially in their partnership with WWF to protect wildlife. Yet, we had to ask: How sustainable are Koala mattresses?

Koala mattresses are generally unsustainable. Their core material is polyurethane foam, which is typically derived from fossil fuels in polluting and energy-demanding processes and is non-biodegradable. In addition, their mattresses tend to have a relatively short life span.

Read on as we walk through the life-cycle of Koala mattresses. We will evaluate their sustainability, potential, and shortfalls in each life-cycle stage. And in the end, we’ll show you tips for buying and using Koala mattresses more sustainably.

Here’s How We Assessed the Sustainability of Koala Mattresses

As a member of 1% for the planet, Koala has made a big push regarding giving to environmental causes. However, is their mattress production eco-friendly and sustainable?

“Sustainable: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level | Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”

Oxford Dictionary

To understand the sustainability of Koala mattresses, we must assess their life-cycle and each stage’s sustainability. This life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a method to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and materials. Over the years, companies have strategically used LCA to research and create more sustainable products. So, let’s have a look at the LCA of Koala mattresses!

The life-cycle stages of Koala mattresses	Each stage’s sustainability
Production of Koala mattresses	Sourcing: The materials used for Koala mattresses are highly unsustainable due to their reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels, combined with the energy-intensive and polluting processes required for their extraction and refinement, significantly impacts the overall sustainability of their mattresses. Manufacturing: Manufacturing polyurethane foam, as used in Koala mattresses, is generally unsustainable because of the intensive use of energy and chemicals. Transporting: Transporting Koala mattresses has a relatively high carbon footprint due to manufacturing abroad instead of locally in Australia. Certifications: All the foams in Koala mattresses are CertiPUR-US® certified, and their mattress covers are OEKO-TEX® certified.
Usage of Koala mattresses	Lifespan: Koala mattresses have a relatively short lifespan because they are based on synthetic foam. Quality reviews: Koala is rated 4.9 out of 5 on ProductReview, one of Australia’s largest consumer review platforms.
End-of-life of Koala mattresses	Circularity: There are no circular mattresses in Koala’s selection and we couldn’t find any information about plans to make their mattresses circular in the future. Recycling: Even after thorough research, we couldn’t find any mention of the recyclability of Koala mattresses on their website. Waste: Koala mattresses would clog up landfills for a long time because of their synthetic nature and the lack of take-back programs from the company.

To know if Koala mattresses are sustainable, we need to look at their practices throughout their life-cycle and determine if they are effectively reducing their impact on the planet. To do that, we need to look at the following:

• the information they share,
• data they report to third parties for external review, 
• their ratings and reviews, and 
• what sustainable certification systems they adhere to. 

How Sustainable Is the Production of Koala Mattresses

The production of Koala mattresses is rather unsustainable because it depends on nonrenewable fossil fuels as primary raw materials. Transporting Koala mattresses has a relatively high low carbon footprint because they manufacture in China and sell their mattresses in Australia. 

How Sustainable Are the Materials Used for Koala Mattresses

The materials used for Koala mattresses are highly unsustainable due to their reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels, combined with the energy-intensive and polluting processes required for their extraction and refinement, significantly impacts the overall sustainability of their mattresses.

The core material used in most Koala mattresses is, at its core, polyurethane foam. Specifically, they include: 

• A Kloudcell comfort layer: Koala’s own proprietary blend of polyurethane foam of various thickness
• A support layer: memory foam of various thicknesses sectioned into different supporting zones. (Memory foam is based on polyurethane foam.)

Koala mattress covers (ticking fabrics) are made with a few different fiber blends, depending on the models. These fibers include:

• recycled polyester 
• organic cotton
• linen
• TENCEL^TM
• viscose 
• cashmere
• polyester
• polyethylene

The sustainability of your specific Koala mattress depends on the materials they use. So, let’s have a look at the sustainability of all their main materials so that you can make a better-informed decision:

• Polyurethane Foam: Polyurethane foam is generally made with fossil-derived polymers. Sourcing fossil fuels is highly unsustainable due to their nonrenewable nature. Extraction and refining of these fuels not only create a significant energy demand but also contribute to the climate crisis and environmental pollution. 
• Memory Foam: Memory foam is low-resistance polyurethane foam, generally made with fossil-derived polymers. Similarly to polyurethane foam, sourcing raw materials for memory foam is highly unsustainable due to the nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels and the highly polluting, energy-intensive processes of extracting and refining these fuels. 
• Recycled Polyester: Sourcing recycled polyester to use in mattresses is generally sustainable because utilizing plastic waste for recycled polyester avoids further depleting nonrenewable fossil fuels—the conventional raw materials for virgin polyester—and the serious adverse environmental impacts associated with extracting and refining fossil fuels. Diverting plastic waste back into usage prevents it from clogging up landfills for hundreds of years or entering water bodies where it can harm wildlife and humans. 
• Organic Cotton: Sourcing organic cotton fibers to use in mattresses is generally sustainable, mainly thanks to the carbon sequestration of cotton plants. Organic cotton cultivation can also benefit the health of the soil, the ecosystem, and cotton growers. 
• Linen: Sourcing flax fibers (linen) to use in mattresses is generally sustainable as flax is a low-input, multiple-output crop with a relatively short rotation. Also, flax cultivation has significant environmental benefits, including climate change mitigation, soil health enhancement, and ecosystem diversity enrichment. 
• TENCEL^TM: Sourcing eucalyptus fibers to use in mattress is generally sustainable. As they grow, eucalyptus trees sequester carbon, mitigating the climate crisis. Eucalyptus species are highly adaptive and can grow rapidly with little irrigation or agrochemicals. 
• Viscose: Sourcing cellulose fibers from wood for viscose in mattresses is generally sustainable. As plants grow, they absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere while releasing oxygen, mitigating the climate crisis. However, there are concerns over the association between sourcing raw materials for viscose and deforestation in ancient and endangered forests. 
• Cashmere: Sourcing cashmere fibers to use in mattresses is generally unsustainable. They come from the inner coat of hair of a specific species of goats, mostly found in Central Asia and the Gobi desert. The environmental impacts of raising goats, including global warming, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and pollution, are intensified in the case of cashmere goats because of the rapid increases in the number of goats grazing in relatively restricted areas to meet the ever-growing global cashmere demand. 
• Polyester: Sourcing fossil fuels for making polyester to use in mattresses is generally unsustainable because of the depletion of nonrenewable resources, the acceleration of climate change, and the environmental pollution of extracting and refining such fuels. 
• Polyethylene: Sourcing polyethylene from conventional fossil materials is unsustainable because of the depletion of nonrenewable resources, the acceleration of climate change, and the environmental pollution of extracting and refining fossil fuels. 

How Sustainably Are Koala Mattresses Generally Produced

Manufacturing polyurethane foam, as used in Koala mattresses, is generally unsustainable because of the intensive use of energy and chemicals.

The typical process of manufacturing foam mattresses as used by Koala includes the following steps: 

1. The first step in producing Koala mattresses is to construct the layers from various types of foam based on polyurethane foam. Manufacturing foam, especially the polymerization step, demands a lot of energy and chemicals, making it unsustainable. The typical process of manufacturing polyurethane foam includes the following steps: 
   1. Make the starting monomers: Flexible polyurethane foam traditionally starts with polyols and diisocyanates (toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate). These chemicals are conventionally made from cracking and refining crude oil and natural gas. 
   2. Polymerization: Polyols and diisocyanates are mixed with water and a catalyst like dibutyltin (DBT), which triggers a chemical reaction to create foam. 
   3. Molding and solidifying: More chemicals, including stabilizers and flame retardants, are added to the mix to create the final foam with the desired properties.
2. A mattress cover from various materials is added to the outer surface to bind the foam layers.

Manufacturing Koala mattresses is both energy-intensive and chemical-intensive, leading to this stage being unsustainable.

Where Are Koala Mattresses Usually Produced

Koala mattresses are made in China. According to Our World in Data, only 16.16% of energy consumption in China comes from renewable sources.

Using renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass) would significantly reduce carbon emissions at this stage.

How Sustainable Is the Transportation of Koala Mattresses

Transporting Koala mattresses has a relatively high carbon footprint due to manufacturing abroad instead of locally in Australia.

In the life-cycle of Koala mattresses, transportation typically occurs as follows: 

• from fields/pastures/forests/mines where raw materials are extracted to the manufacturing location in China, 
• from the manufacturing location to sorting centers and/or physical shops, 
• from sorting centers and/or physical shops to the consumer’s home, and
• from the consumer’s home to the centers for recycling and/or disposal.

Koala mattresses are manufactured abroad in China instead of locally in Australia, leading to long transporting distances and relatively high carbon emissions. 

What Eco-Friendly or Sustainable Certifications Does Koala Have

All the foams in Koala mattresses are CertiPUR-US^® certified.

• CertiPUR-US: A certification for foam products (polyurethane foam, memory foam, or hybrid foam) that ensures they are made without harmful chemicals and meet rigorous standards for content, emissions, and durability. It verifies that the foam is free from ozone depleters, flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, and has low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality.

How Sustainable Is the Usage of Koala Mattresses

The usage of Koala foam mattresses is unsustainable because of their relatively short lifespan.

What Is the Typical Lifespan of Koala Mattresses 

Polyurethane foam mattresses are typically not durable. Their lifespan depends on the material density but is generally only a few years long. 

Koala mattresses are covered by a 10-year warranty. 

Note that you can typically keep a foam mattress last longer by regularly rotating it and avoiding heavy forces (like a kid jumping on the bed).

How Is the Quality of Koala Mattresses Rated

Koala is rated 4.9 out of 5 on ProductReview, one of Australia’s largest consumer review platforms.

There are many positive reviews on the quality of Koala mattresses. 

Here is an example: 

“After several years with my Koala Double Mattress and extensively researching for my next purchase, I decided to upgrade to the Koala Flippable Firmness Queen Size Mattress. So far, it has not disappointed.
In terms of value, it’s competitively priced for its features but what truly sold me was the dual firmness addition. By allowing me to customise the mattress based on personal preference and adapting to changing needs is a game changer.
Although I’ve only had this mattress for a few weeks, Koala’s commitment to quality is evident.
The breathable top layer keeps me cool throughout the night, which is perfect for someone who tends to get hot. The mattress feels robust and well-designed.
One suggestion I would love is an integrated handle or strap on the sides of the mattress. This would make flipping and rotating the mattress easier.” 

In brief, Koala mattresses tend to have a relatively short lifespan due to their foam-based nature. These mattresses have a guarantee of 10 years, significantly shorter, for example, than many latex mattresses.

How Sustainable Is the End-of-Life of Koala Mattresses

The end-of-life stage of polyurethane foam mattresses is generally unsustainable because they don’t biodegrade. We couldn’t find any information on a take-back program for mattresses at the end of their life, even though there are established ways of recycling polyurethane foam. 

How Circular Are Koala Mattresses Made

Conventional polyurethane foam, the primary material in Koala mattresses, doesn’t biodegrade and will sit in landfills for a thousand years. Consequently, it is crucial to keep this material in circulation for as long as possible.

“Circular economy: The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting. The circular economy tackles climate change and other global challenges, like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.”

Ellen Macarthur Foundation

There are no circular mattresses in Koala’s selection and we couldn’t find any information about plans to make their mattresses circular in the future.

Are Koala Mattresses Made for Recycling

Even after thorough research, we couldn’t find any mention of the recyclability of Koala mattresses on their website.

As a principle, products made with one type of material, such as 100% polyurethane foam, are easier to disassemble and recycle than products made with a blend of materials. 

But if your Koala mattress contains multiple layers, then it’s generally relatively difficult to recycle at the end of its life. However, a company specializing in recycling old mattresses would be able to help you. Suppose you are also buying a new mattress. In that case, your seller might be able to help you with responsible recycling or disposing of your old mattress.

While flexible polyurethane foam can be recycled using two established pathways (mechanical recycling and chemical recycling), Koala does not mention that they use any recycled content in their foam or consider the ease of recycling in designing and constructing their mattresses.

Will Koala Mattresses Go to Waste at Their End-of-life

Koala mattresses would clog up landfills for a long time because of their synthetic nature and the lack of take-back programs from the company. 

We couldn’t find any mention on Koala’s website about any take-back programs for their mattresses at the end of their life. 

Note that mattresses are bulky waste that take up significant landfill space—often for a long time. 

What Koala does recycle is returned mattresses. These mattresses are either donated to charity or sold in their Second Home outlet. 

In brief, Koala’s mattresses are not yet circular. However, the company is taking steps toward diverting waste away from landfills. They keep returned mattresses longer in circulation by donating them to charities or reselling them in their Second Home outlet. 

Why Is It Important to Buy More Sustainable Mattresses

It is important to buy mattresses made of more sustainable materials because such materials generally have lower carbon footprints, put less pressure on natural resources, and are safer for both consumers and workers. 

Buying Mattresses Made of More Sustainable Materials Reduces Toxic Chemicals In Your Sleeping Environment 

Many mattresses are made with synthetic materials in chemical-intensive processes, exposing factory workers and end users to health risks, especially regarding the respiratory system. For example, one memory foam model was found to emit 61 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including the known carcinogens benzene and naphthalene. 

In contrast, mattresses made of more sustainable materials, such as plant-based latex or organic wool, are generally safer, as they don’t contain toxic chemicals and are produced in more responsible processes. 

Buying Mattresses Made of More Sustainable Materials Reduces Your Carbon Footprint 

Conventional synthetic materials used in mattresses are fossil-derived and, thus, have a high carbon footprint. On the other hand, mattresses made with more sustainable materials, either organic or recycled, have relatively low carbon footprints. 

Buying Mattresses Made of More Sustainable Materials Reduces Demand for Natural Resources and Waste Management

Buying mattresses made with more sustainable materials, such as organic or recycled ones, means that you can avoid fossil-derived mattress foams, which contribute to the depletion of nonrenewable resources. 

Additionally, using organic materials for mattresses lessens the pressure on landfill space. Keep the following in mind:

• Mattresses are bulky waste that take up significant space in landfills.
• Over 50,000 mattresses are thrown out every day in the US and about 20 million of those end up in landfills annually.

Considering that synthetic materials don’t break down for hundreds of years, opting for organic mattresses that are biodegradable and recyclable significantly lowers the pressure on landfills. 

Buying Mattresses Made of More Sustainable Plant-Based Materials Encourages Sustainable Management of Forests and Ecosystems

Sustainable plant-based mattress materials, such as bamboo and hemp, are made with raw materials from forests and plantations that are sustainably managed. 

When you buy sustainable plant-based materials, you discourage unsustainable practices like clearing biodiverse forests for cattle raising. Furthermore, you help reduce deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the effects of climate change.

Final Thoughts

Koala mattresses are generally unsustainable. They use primarily polyurethane foam, a mattress material typically derived from nonrenewable fossil fuels. The manufacturing process of polyurethane foam is both energy and chemical-intensive. Koala mattresses are not biodegradable.

However, you can make your use of Koala mattresses more sustainable by following these steps:

1. Buy second-hand mattresses
2. Keep a Koala mattress for as long as possible
3. At the end-of-life of your Koala mattress, upcycle the material to extend its usage and arrange for it to be recycled or properly disposed of

Stay impactful,

Sources

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