Saatva offers some made-to-order, award-winning mattresses. But the question is, are Saatva mattresses also eco-friendly? So, we had to ask: How sustainable are Saatva mattresses?

Saatva mattresses can be sustainable, depending on the materials used. For example, a few of their latex mattresses are very sustainable, with exclusively organically cultivated and processed materials. Yet, their mattresses containing synthetic foam are generally unsustainable.

Read on as we walk through the life-cycle of Saatva 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 Saatva mattresses more sustainably.

Here’s How We Assessed the Sustainability of Saatva Mattresses

Saatva is certified with some of the most prestigious and dependable sustainable and social standards. Yet, what does that mean specifically throughout the life-cycle of their mattresses? 

“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 Saatva 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 Saatva mattresses!

To know if Saatva mattresses are really sustainable, we need to look at their manufacturing practices and determine if they are effectively reducing their impact on the planet. To do that we need to look at:

• The information they share,
• data they report to third parties for external review, 
• their ratings and reviews, and 
• what sustainable organizations they belong to. 

How Sustainable Is the Production of Saatva Mattresses

The production of Saatva mattresses varies from sustainable to rather unsustainable, depending on whether they contain primarily natural and organic materials or synthetic foam. Saatva makes their mattresses locally in the US, lowering the carbon footprint of transporting. 

How Sustainable Are the Materials Used for Saatva Mattresses

Saatva mattresses use a wide range of materials, of which sustainability varies:

• On the one hand, a few of their mattresses are made mainly with natural and organic materials (like Zenhaven Latex Mattress, Latex Hybrid Mattress, and Crib Mattress). In particular, they use organic cotton and organic latex (in Zenhaven Latex Mattress, Latex Hybrid Mattress, and Crib Mattress), which are highly sustainable to source as plants sequester carbon and lessen the climate crisis. But Saatva also uses organic sheep wool which can have relatively high environmental impacts, especially when compared with plant-based materials. 
• On the other hand, many Saatva mattresses use synthetic foam (polyurethane foam, memory foam, gel foam), which is based on fossil fuels. Sourcing fossil fuels is unsustainable because of their nonrenewable nature, their energy-demanding and polluting processes of extracting and refining, and their carbon footprint.

Saatva sources both natural and synthetic raw materials for their mattresses. While a couple of their mattress models are made entirely with natural and organic materials (which makes them sustainable), the most Saatva mattresses contain polyurethane foam, memory foam, and gel foam (which makes them rather unsustainable).

Specifically, Saatva mattresses consist of a comfort system and, in the case of hybrid mattresses, a support system. 

• A comfort system: It is constructed of one or several layers of
  • latex: organic latex or natural latex
  • organic cotton 
  • organic wool
  • polyurethane foam
  • memory foam
  • gel foam
• A support system: It is constructed with pocket coils. Saatva uses recycled steel coils made from post-consumer steel. 

Saatva mattress covers are made with organic cotton fabrics grown without chemical insecticides and synthetic fertilizers and treated with a botanical antimicrobial treatment that naturally inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. 

The sustainability of your specific Saatva 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:

• Organic Latex: Sourcing natural latex from organically cultivated rubber trees to use in mattresses is sustainable because the sap is renewable and can be harvested responsibly without killing the tree. Rubber trees can live for a long time, sequestering carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan. Organic farming of rubber trees can also benefit the health of the soil, the ecosystem, and the farmers while eliminating the adverse environmental impacts associated with using synthetic agrochemicals. 
• Natural Latex: Sourcing the sap of rubber trees for natural latex mattresses is sustainable because the sap is renewable and can be harvested responsibly without killing the tree. Rubber trees can live for a long time, sequestering carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan. 
• 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. 
• Organic Wool: Sourcing organic wool fibers to use in mattresses is generally sustainable. Organic wool fibers are generally renewable, while organic agriculture systems often adopt sustainable practices that promote biodiversity, increase soil health, and sequester more carbon. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Recycled Steel Coils: Using recycled steel avoids depleting iron ore resources, which are nonrenewable, and bypasses iron mining, which has many adverse environmental impacts.
• Flame Retardants: No fiber-glass or toxic chemical flame retardants are used in Saatva mattresses. Instead, the company uses organic wool or natural plant-based thistle pulp as natural fire barriers. 

How Sustainably Are Saatva Mattresses Generally Produced

The sustainability of Saatva mattress production varies, depending on the materials used:

• On the one hand, organic layers, such as organic latex or organic wool (in Zenhaven Latex Mattress, Latex Hybrid Mattress, and Crib Mattress), are relatively eco-friendly to produce, with harsh synthetic chemicals strictly controlled and eliminated. 
• On the other hand, synthetic foam, such as polyurethane foam, memory foam or gel foam, is unsustainable to produce, with the intensive use of energy and chemicals.

Manufacturing Saatva 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 Saatva mattresses is to construct the comfort system from one or several layers (synthetic foam, latex, wool). The use of manufacturing chemicals and energy varies depending on the materials used. Producing organic comforting layers is free of harmful synthetic chemicals, while producing synthetic foam is chemically intensive. Some comforting layers, including all the synthetic foam, latex, and wool, can be energy-intensive.
2. In the case of hybrid Saatva 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. However, coils made with recycled steel, as used in Saatva mattresses, would have a lower energy demand as there is no need to produce new raw steel.
3. For all Saatva mattresses, a mattress cover (encasement) is added at the end to bind all layers together. 

The production of Saatva mattresses is generally eco-friendly, thanks to their following measures:

• Saatva mattresses are made to order, which cuts down inventory waste.
• Their factories incorporate low-carbon footprint processes, reducing their global warming impact. 
• Their factories incorporate recycled materials, including recycled steel coil, into their products and recycle all wood, plastic, and foam scraps from manufacturing, diverting waste from landfills. 
• Their New Jersey factory operates solely on renewable energy generated by 300 kW solar panels.

However, it is important to note that producing some layers in Saatva mattresses, such as synthetic foam, latex, and wool, can be energy-intensive. 

Where Are Saatva Mattresses Usually Produced

Saatva mattresses are made their network of US-based factories.

As Saatva 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.

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

How Sustainable Is the Transportation of Saatva Mattresses

Transporting Saatva 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 Saatva mattresses, transportation typically occurs as follows: 

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

Thanks to the company’s networks of US-based factories, their mattresses generally travel less than 100 miles from their factory to US consumers’ homes, keeping the transporting carbon footprint relatively low. For example, they state that their products are within 60 miles of 85% of homes in the continental US.

Though Saatva manufactures locally in the US, they do source their raw materials from around the world, such as wool from New Zealand. This significantly adds to their transportation footprint. 

What Eco-Friendly or Sustainable Certifications Does Saatva Have

Saatva mattresses are certified with some of the most prestigious and dependable sustainable and social standards. 

• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): This certification is a worldwide standard pioneered by the Control Union that focuses on latex products regarding the farming and manufacturing processes. It ensures that latex products contain more than 95% certified organic raw materials. A mattress with this certification is guaranteed to be what it claims to be, is safe and free from toxic chemicals, and is sourced and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. 
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): This globally recognized certification system ensures that a certain threshold of organic content has been met. It covers manufacturing, packaging, labeling, transportation, and distribution (but not what happens in the fields where crops are grown).
  • Saatva sources organic wool and organic cotton under the Global Organic Textile Standard (CU1808012)
• 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.
• GREENGUARD: A certification program that ensures products meet strict chemical emissions limits, contributing to healthier indoor air quality. GREENGUARD Certification is awarded to products that have been tested and proven to have low chemical emissions, helping to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.
  • Saatva mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. 
• eco-INSTITUT: A certification that tests mattresses and bedding products for emissions and pollutants to ensure they meet high indoor air quality and safety standards. The eco-INSTITUT certifies a wide range of mattress types, including innersprings, latexes, synthetic foams, as well as futons.
• OEKO-TEX^®: OEKO-TEX^® labels aim to ensure that products pose no risk to human health (i.e., containing banned chemicals). 
• Cradle2Cradle certification: Cradle2Cradle provides a standardized approach to material circularity. It assesses whether products have been suitably designed and made with the circular economy in mind covering five critical categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
  • Saatva crib mattresses have a Cradle2Cradle Gold certification. 

How Sustainable Is the Usage of Saatva Mattresses

The sustainability of using Saatva mattresses can be sustainable, depending on the materials used. Latex-based Saatva mattresses can have a long lifespan and are sustainable to use. Foam-based Satva mattresses tend to have a relatively shorter lifespan and are generally not sustainable to use. 

What Is the Typical Lifespan of Saatva Mattresses 

Some Saatva mattresses are based on natural latex, which tends to have a long lifespan, meaning that they do not need to be replaced as frequently, reducing waste generation and conserving resources. 

On the other hand, many Saatva mattresses are based on layers of synthetic foam, which tends not to last as long as natural latex foam, making them less sustainable. Saatva reckons that the Saatva Classic, which contains layers of synthetic foam and steel coils, is built to last 10 to 15 years.

Saatva commits to building high-quality and durable mattresses and back up their claim with a Friends for Life warranty policy. 

How Is the Quality of Saatva Mattresses Rated

Saatva is rated “Excellent” with 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Many reviews praise the quality of the mattresses as well as the Saatva customer service, such as the following:

“Sean at Saatva made my purchase so simple! He assisted me in selecting the best Saatva mattress for me, and I LOVE my Classic Luxury Firm selection. I have had mine for five nights, and my sleep has improved dramatically. My body pain has diminished, I sleep like a log, and the mattress is beautiful. My Saatva is definitely a very high quality mattress. I expected to pay a lot more, but was pleasantly surprised. I am SO happy that I bought a Saatva mattress!!!”

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

The end-of-life of Saatva mattresses varies in sustainability depending on the materials used. The Saatva mattress models made primarily with natural components (Zenhaven Latex Mattress, Latex Hybrid Mattress, and Crib Mattress) are sustainable because they are biodegradable. However, Saatva mattresses that contain synthetic foam don’t biodegrade at the end of their life and, thus, are generally unsustainable.

How Circular Are Saatva Mattresses Made

Saatva mattresses that contain primarily biodegradable components (latex, wool, and cotton) break down naturally at the end of their life, returning to the earth without leaving a significant environmental footprint. For example, a study showed a substantial decrease in the mass of the latex foam after three months, estimating that it would take one to two years for latex foam to break down completely.

On the other hand, Saatva mattresses that contain synthetic foam and steel coils don’t break down at the end of their life. Conventional polyurethane foam, the base of memory foam and gel foam, 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 Saatva’s selection, and we couldn’t find any information about plans to make their mattresses circular in the future.

Are Saatva Mattresses Made for Recycling

At the end of their life, Saatva mattresses are difficult to recycle because they often contain many layers. 

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

But if your Saatva 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.

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

Saatva mattresses that contain primarily biodegradable components, such as Zenhaven Latex Mattress, Latex Hybrid Mattress, and Crib Mattress, can break down naturally in landfills. In contrast, Saatva mattresses that contain synthetic foam would clog up landfills for a long time due to the lack of take-back programs from the company.

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

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

In brief, Saatva mattresses are not yet circular. The brand uses some recycled materials (recycled steel) in their mattresses. Yet, there are no 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

Saatva mattresses can be sustainable when made primarily with biodegradable raw materials from organic farming systems, including organic latex, organic wool, and organic cotton. However, most Saatva mattress models uses synthetic foam in one or a few layers, making these products not as sustainable in sourcing, manufacturing, and disposal.

As a consumer, you can make your use of Saatva mattresses more sustainable by following these steps:

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