Layla Sleep, a mattress company founded in 2018 that specializes in memory foam and hybrid mattresses, uses copper-infused gel to help you sleep cooler. Yet, the eco-friendliness of these unique mattresses remains a bit unclear. So, we had to ask: How sustainable are Layla mattresses?

Layla mattresses are generally unsustainable. Their core material is polyurethane foam, which is typically derived from fossil fuels in polluting and energy-demanding processes. Also, due to the synthetic foam base, their mattresses tend to have a relatively short life span. 

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

Here’s How We Assessed the Sustainability of Layla Mattresses

Layla mattresses boast an antibacterial cooling property, but are they eco-friendly? 

“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 Layla 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 Layla mattresses!

To know if Layla 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 Layla Mattresses

The production of Layla mattresses is rather unsustainable because it depends on nonrenewable fossil fuels as primary raw materials. Layla Sleep makes their mattresses in the US while sourcing the label and cover from Mexico, keeping a relatively low transporting carbon footprint. 

How Sustainable Are the Materials Used for Layla Mattresses

Layla Sleep sources primarily fossil-based raw materials for their mattresses. Because of the nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels and the energy-demanding and polluting processes of extracting and refining these fuels, this stage is highly unsustainable, affecting the overall sustainability of Layla mattresses.

The core material used in most Layla mattresses is polyurethane foam. 

Specifically, Layla mattresses consist of a comfort system (the soft top layers) and, in the case of hybrid mattresses (Layla Hybrid), a support system (the responsive coils that move and respond to pressure changes). 

• A comfort system: This is constructed of three layers, including
  • gel foam infused with copper
  • memory foam
  • polyurethane foam 
• A support system: This is constructed with pocket coils. 

Layla mattresses have a zipper cover made with 66% polyester, 30% viscose, and 4% poly/lycra. 

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. Layla Sleep states that they use vegetable-based polyurethane foam but doesn’t specify the percentage of plant materials. 
• 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. 
• Gel Foam: Gel foam is polyurethane foam or memory foam combined with cooling gel beads or swirls. These are generally made from fossil fuels, which are unsustainable to source due to their nonrenewable nature and the highly polluting, energy-intensive processes of extracting and refining. The gel foam used by Layla mattresses is infused with copper for cooler sleep. 
• Steel Coils in Pockets: Sourcing iron raw material to use in mattresses is unsustainable due to its nonrenewable nature. Iron mining has adverse environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, environmental contamination and pollution, and water scarcity exacerbation. 
• Polyester Fabrics: 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. 
• Viscose Fabrics: 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. 
• Lycra Fabrics (Spandex Fabrics): Sourcing conventional fossil-based raw materials for Lycra^® fabrics (a trademarked spandex fabric) is unsustainable. The traditional raw materials used to start making Lycra^® fabrics are petroleum-based. Petroleum (or crude oil) is a non-renewable resource. Also, extracting and refining petroleum has energy demand, exacerbates the climate crisis, and pollutes the environment.
• Flame Retardants: Layla mattresses use a fire-resistant sleeve that incorporates the fire-blocking components within the fabric. According to NabLab and Each Night reviews, these sleeves are made of fiberglass particles and polyester.

How Sustainably Are Layla Mattresses Generally Produced

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

Manufacturing Layla mattresses typically includes the following process steps for their comfort system (the soft top layers) and, in the case of hybrid mattresses, their support system (the responsive coils that move and respond to pressure changes):

1. The first step to producing Layla mattresses is to construct the comfort system from layers of synthetic foam. Manufacturing such foam layers, 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. In the case of hybrid Layla mattresses, a support system made of coils is also produced. Producing the steel coils (drawing steel wire and bending wire to create coils) uses a lot of energy, which would have serious knock-on ecological impacts when production depends largely on fossil fuels. 
3. For all Layla mattresses, a mattress cover made from a synthetic fiber blend is added at the end to bind all layers together. 

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

Where Are Layla Mattresses Usually Produced

Layla mattresses are made in the US. Their foam is poured, and they are assembled in the Rust Belt region of the Midwestern states. The company sources its cover and label from Mexico.

As Layla mattresses are manufactured in the US, production will likely rely heavily on fossil fuels. According to Our World in Data, only 11.66% of energy consumption in the US comes from renewable sources.

Because manufacturing polyurethane foam (and its varieties) is energy-intensive, the proportion of renewable energy used in production greatly affects the environmental impacts of this stage. 

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

How Sustainable Is the Transportation of Layla Mattresses

Transporting Layla mattresses can have a relatively high carbon footprint because of the bulky nature of the product. However, manufacturing locally in the US helps reduce the transporting distances. 

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

• from fields/pastures/forests/mines where raw materials are extracted to their manufacturing location in the US, 
• 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.

Layla mattresses are made locally in the US, keeping their transportation distances relatively low. 

What Eco-Friendly or Sustainable Certifications Does Layla Sleep Have

Layla mattresses are certified with CertiPUR-US. 

• 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 Layla Mattresses

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

What Is the Typical Lifespan of Layla Mattresses 

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

Layla mattresses have a 10-year warranty, which is short compared to, for example, latex mattresses or even some other foam mattresses of better construction. 

Note that you can typically make 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 Layla Mattresses Rated

Layla mattresses are rated “Poor” with 2.6 / 5 on Trustpilot. 

Here is an example of a review concerning the poor quality of Layla mattresses: 

“I purchased this mattress after doing my thorough research. It was rated highly online and had good youtube reviews as well. After a year into my purchase, i started to notice that one side of the mattress started to deflate/ memory foam sagging. I rotated the mattress every 6 months and did not pay much attention but after 3 years., i started to notice that the sagging kept getting worse and worse including the middle of the mattress started showing signs of cracking. I now started to wake up with back pain. I contacted the warranty department and informed them of my findings. The lady who i would speak to on the chat, stated to send me a picture but with measurements. I went ahead and measured the mattress sag which was above 1.5 inches. A different person now responded stating that they are sorry about the miscommunication but we need more pictures and the pictures that i sent did not qualify. Their warranty individual did notice that the mattress did look deformed and the sag is very apparent but they refused to help. The warranty claim teams kept findings reasons to reject the pictures that i sent them and it almost seemed like their job was not customer satisfaction or support the quality of their product but to ensure that no claims ever get processed and the company never has to replace/ repair anyone’s mattress. I had such a horrible experience communicating with them regarding my mattress and i really do not want anyone else to have similar experience. Buy any other mattress but layla.

I am a physician and I wake up daily now with painful neck and back as I sink in this mattress nightly. That was never an issue with any other mattress I have had in the past.”

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

The end-of-life stage of Layla mattresses is generally unsustainable because their polyurethane foam layers 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 methods of recycling polyurethane foam. 

How Circular Are Layla Mattresses Made

Conventional polyurethane foam, the primary material in Layla 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 Layla Sleep’s selection and we couldn’t find any information about plans to make their mattresses circular in the future.

Are Layla Mattresses Made for Recycling

Even after thorough research, we couldn’t find any mention of the recyclability of Layla 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. 

As Layla mattresses contain many layers, they are relatively difficult to recycle at the end of their life. However, a company specializing in recycling old mattresses would be able to help you. 

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, 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), Layla Sleep does not mention that they use any recycled content in their foam mattresses or consider the ease of recycling in designing and constructing their products.

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

Layla mattresses can 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 Layla Sleep 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. 

In brief, Layla mattresses are not made for recycling and are far from being circular. The brand doesn’t specify the use of any recycled materials in their foam-based mattresses or any incentives to promote the recycling of their products at the end of their life.

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

Layla mattresses are generally unsustainable. They use a variety of polyurethane foam derived from nonrenewable fossil fuels, and furthermore, the manufacturing process of polyurethane foam is both energy and chemical-intensive. 

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

1. Buy second-hand mattresses.
2. Keep a Layla mattress for as long as possible.
3. At the end-of-life of your Layla 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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