By
Quynh Nguyen

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Stay impactful,

Amid growing concerns about the textile industry’s environmental impact, there is pressure to find greener options for yourself and your home. Unfortunately, greenwashing makes it harder for you and other consumers to figure out which home brands offer the most eco-friendly bedding. So, we had to ask: Which are the most sustainable bedding brands?

The most sustainable bedding brands include Boll & Branch, Ethical Bedding, and Takasa, which use low-impact natural materials and reduce carbon emissions while adhering to ethical manufacturing practices. In addition, ettitude and PlushBeds commit to waste and chemical reduction.

Whether you are searching for a fitted sheet or a bed bundle without negatively impacting the soil, the water, the animals, and other people, there is a brand for you. So, let’s keep reading to learn more about the most sustainable bedding brands and how they ensure sustainable, ethical practices. 

Here’s How We Selected the 12 Most Sustainable Bedding Brands

The sustainability of bedding depends mostly on the fabric used, whether it is synthetic or natural, plant-based or animal-derived. 

“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

The brands on this list were chosen based on their commitment and actions to promote sustainable practices while reducing the environmental impacts of the textile industry. 

They are transparent about their materials, processes, and workforce management within their supply chain. 

Some brands focus their efforts on reducing waste and optimizing natural resources while others strive to reduce the carbon footprint of their clothes. 

All of these brands share the commitment to reshape the textile industry toward a more sustainable and Earth-friendly sector. 

These Are the 12 Most Sustainable Bedding Brands

Overall, these bedding brands are sustainable. Yet, they take various approaches to reduce environmental impacts and uphold ethical standards. Let’s dive into each brand and find out more. 

Boll & Branch: Fairtrade Bedding Made Primarily With Organic Cotton 

“By seeking out the most environmentally responsible processes, low-impact fabrics and ethical manufacturing, we swap the greenwashing for integrity and accountability. ”

Boll & Branch 

Boll & Branch prioritizes sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly textile and packaging materials.

• Firstly, they use a high percentage of low-impact, plant-based fibers, including organic cotton and Belgian linen. Specifically, Boll & Branch works with both the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fairtrade to ensure the highest standards for their cotton materials, from farming to production.
• Secondly, the brand sources 100% recycled paper for their packaging. Their outer shippers are made with 100% FSC-certified cardboard. In addition, Boll & Branch reduces their climate impact by opting for sea freight for shipping their goods and offsetting their carbon emissions. 

Boll & Branch ensures their ethics by being transparent about their supply chain, all the way from farming to ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, cutting, and sewing.

• The brand ensures payment of a living wage in most of their supply chain, and their products are certified by Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations.
• Regarding animal welfare, they commit to the ethical treatment of animals in their supply chain by sourcing responsible down and organic wool. 

In 2020, Boll & Branch founded Helping From Home, a philanthropic initiative that delivers the feeling of safety that a home should provide, making 50,000 homes feel safer every year. Some past causes include supporting local hospitals and shelters during the COVID-19 crisis with mattresses and pillows, donating to affordable housing solutions for families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and sending homecoming bed bundles to US service members returning home from deployment. 

• Best for: homes
• Product range: bedding, bath, furniture, mattresses
• Price range: $$$ 
• Size range: Twin, Twin XL, Sofa Bed Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

Ethical Bedding: Purpose-Driven Sleep 

 “From our raw materials and packaging to our manufacturing methods and processes, we aim to challenge the perception of how businesses can – and should – operate.”

James Higgins, Founder of Ethical Bedding

Ethical Bedding ensures their sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly materials and reducing their climate impact.

• Firstly, they exclusively use low-impact fabrics for their sheets, pillowcases, covers, etc. Their signature eucalyptus silk fabrics, certified by OEKO-TEX^® STANDARD 100, are made with sustainably harvested eucalyptus fibers in a closed-loop system that reuses 99.9% of the chemicals, water, and waste. The brand also recycled fabrics. For example, their BottleBounce Snuggle Blanket utilizes bamboo fibers and locally sourced plastic bottle waste (recycled polyester). Additionally, their packaging is minimalistic, recyclable, and made from recycled materials.
• Secondly, Ethical Bedding reduces their climate impact by opting for shipping their goods with larger, more efficient vessels and offsetting all their delivery emissions. 

Ethical Bedding ensures their ethics by committing to total transparency within their supply chain and understanding the environmental impact of every process and decision they make. They state that they pay all workers a fair living wage and carry out regular checks on their suppliers. 

Ethical Bedding is a member of 1% for the Planet, committing at least 1% of their annual revenue to global sustainability initiatives. They also donate to the World Wildlife Fund and plant a tree for every order. On top of that, they encourage customers to pass on unwanted items to support people without homes—in exchange for 10% off the items needed to replace them. 

• Best for: homes
• Product range: bedding bundles, pillows and pillow cases, sheets, duvets, blankets, mattress protectors, mattresses, towels
• Price range: $$
• Size range: Single, Double, King, Super King, Emperor

Takasa: Certified Organic Bed and Bath Linens 

“With a passion for exceptionally high quality materials and socially conscious manufacturing processes, we’re focused on combining thoughtfully designed premium products for those who value beauty, durability and sustainability.”

Takasa 

Takasa ensures their sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly materials and striving for carbon neutrality.

• Firstly, they primarily use certified organic cotton for their bedding, from fitted sheets to pillowcases. Takasa’s organic cotton fabrics have both the Global Organic Textile Standard certification and the Fairtrade certification, guaranteeing strictly organic cultivation and fair conditions for farmers and workers. The brand also makes eco-conscious choices for their packaging, joining the #responsiblepackagingmovement. All their packaging materials are either 100% recycled from post-consumer materials or FSC/SFI certified.
• Secondly, Takasa strives for carbon neutrality by measuring their climate impact and offsetting their emissions. They use GreenStory to publish their product life-cycle assessments. Additionally, they partner with SimplyZero to invest in projects that promise “stronger communities, cleaner skies and a greener Earth.” 

Takasa ensures their ethics by partnering with Fairtrade-certified cotton suppliers, ensuring fair pricing and premiums to cotton farmers and living wages together with safe working conditions for factory workers. Regarding animal welfare, they commit to the ethical treatment of animals in their supply chain by sourcing goose down with the Downmark certification and organic wool with the GOTS certification. 

Takasa partners with and supports One Tree Planted by planting a tree with every order.

• Best for: homes
• Product range: bedding bundles, bath bundles, bed sheet sets, pillow cases, duvet covers, blankets, duvets, comforters, pillows, crib sheets
• Price range: $$$
• Size range: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King

ettitude: Climate-Neutral Bamboo Clothing and Bedding Items 

“We need to give back to the earth. That’s why we use natural resources, like bamboo, that can be regenerated and support the health of our planet. ”

ettitude

ettitude promotes sustainability by innovating bamboo lyocell fabrics, reducing water and chemical usage, minimizing textile waste, and achieving climate neutrality with emission reduction and offset. 

• Their patented and carbon-neutral CleanBamboo^TM is sourced from FSC-certified sustainable forests and is made in a non-toxic, closed-loop system that recycles 98% of the solution up to 200 times. 
• Additionally, ettitude partners with UPPAREL to run a textile recycling program, Loop, recycling unwanted bedding, towels, and clothing. Since 2021, ettitude has measured, reduced, and offset all the carbon emissions associated with every product. Their 2021 offsetting project planted 5.5 hectares of bamboo in Nicaragua through CarbonFund. 
• Lastly, they are climate-neutral certified.

ettitude traces most of their supply chain. They uphold their suppliers to a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Additionally, all of their cut-and-sew factories are audited by SMETA and BSCI for ethical standards.

ettitude partners with charity: water to fund clean water projects in Nepal with part of their sales. In 2021, they contributed 19.8% of their sales to support environmental causes via their 1% for the Planet partnership. In the same year, they also donated to local homeless and animal shelters.

• Best for: menswear, womenswear
• Product range: PJs, jumpsuits, robes 
• Price range: $$ 
• Size range: S–XL

PlushBeds: A Pioneer in All-Natural, Sustainable Sleep 

“Since 2008, PlushBeds has been a pioneer in providing all-natural, sustainable sleep from our California factory direct to customer at an affordable price. .”

PlushBeds 

PlushBeds ensures their sustainability by sourcing natural materials, eliminating toxic chemicals, and reducing climate impact.

• Firstly, they prioritize low-impact plant-based fibers for their bedding, which includes GOTS-certified organic cotton, linen, TENCEL^TM, and bamboo rayon.
• Secondly, they rigorously control the chemicals used in production, adhering to the organic standards of the Global Organic Textile Standard and the Global Organic Latex Standard.
• Lastly, they reduce their climate impact by measuring, cutting down, and offsetting their emissions. PlushBeds also manufactures by hand and locally in California to reduce their carbon emissions. Furthermore, they conserve resources and reduce solid waste by recycling at the mattress manufacturing and assembly stages. Via their partnership with TerraPass, PlushBed calculates the emissions of running their website and works to offset this footprint. The brand is also a Green America-certified business and a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, working to promote sustainable practices in the industry.

PlushBeds’ manufacturing factory is dually certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard and the Global Organic Latex Standard, and is furthermore verified by Control Union^®, guaranteeing fair working conditions and safe products.

• Their workers are treated fairly and provided with safe working conditions, humane hours, and a livable wage.
• Additionally, the brand pays to be regularly audited by third-party organic consultants to ensure they do everything possible to minimize their footprint while providing the cleanest products.
• Regarding animal welfare, they commit to the ethical treatment of animals in their supply chain by sourcing Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down and cruelty-free wool. 

PlushBeds awards Green and Environmental Scholarships twice a year to students pursuing an “eco-degree” based on sustainability principles. The brand also supports various individuals and organizations—such as the Ed Asner Family Center and Every Kid Counts—by donating money, offering discounts, providing beds, assisting in distributing food, and so on. 

• Best for: homes
• Product range: bedding, bases, pillows, toppers, mattresses
• Price range: $$
• Size range: Twin, Twin XL, Sofa Bed Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

Bhumi: Fully Transparent and Ethical Textile From a Carbon-Neutral Brand

“We encourage you to make thoughtful consumer purchases.”

Bhumi 

Bhumi prioritizes sustainability through eco-friendly materials, low-impact processes, and water-saving initiatives. 

• At least 50% of their fabrics, including organic linen and organic cotton, are certified by GOTS and Fairtrade. Furthermore, 100% of their products are free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs. 
• They also capture rainwater to lower water use in their supply chain. 
• Lastly, using the Green Story’s Carbon Registry, they measure, reduce, and offset the carbon emissions occurring in making and delivering Bhumi products. 

Bhumi puts ethics at the core of their operations. 

• Most of the brand’s supply chain is certified by Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which ensures worker welfare and fair labor practices. 
• They have also established an end-to-end system working directly with family-owned farms and factories to ensure traceability at every step. 
• On top of that, the brand promotes ethical consumerism by advocating for conscious purchasing decisions and awareness of the origins of clothing.

Bhumi supports and partners with people, groups, and projects that are activists for change. Specifically, they participate in numerous giving-back environmental programs supporting nature conservation, climate action, and reforestation. 

• Best for: kidswear, menswear, womenswear
• Product range: knitwear, sleepwear, tops, blouses, shorts, underwear
• Price range: $$$ 
• Size range: XXS–XXXL

Coyuchi: Premium Quality Bedding Made With 100% Organic Cotton

“Each element of a Coyuchi home flows with the pure restorative energy of the earth, sustainably sourced and thoughtfully crafted to inspire well-being and connect generations.”

Coyuchi

Coyuchi promotes sustainability by sourcing low-impact materials and striving for circularity.

• Firstly, they source exclusively certified organic fibers, including cotton and wool, for their bedding and other home items. Specifically, all their cotton bed linens are certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). On top of that, a high proportion of Coyuchi’s cotton products are guaranteed by Fair Trade Certified™ as being from traceable and fair supply chains. Regarding their wool raw material, Coyuchi uses Climate Beneficial™ Wool sourced from Northern California ranches that have a Carbon Farm plan to combat climate change. Since 2019, they have also been GOLS certified, ensuring that all latex products are at least 95% organic in origin and follow a traceable path of environmentally and ethically sound practices from beginning to end.
• Secondly, circularity lies at the center of their operation, from designing with intent or linens that are based on a single fiber and last a lifetime to supporting the untamed possibilities of regenerative agriculture. Their circularity initiatives—2nd Home Take Back and 2nd Home Renewed—help to reduce textile waste by enabling recycling and reselling of pre-loved Coyuchi goods. 

Coyuchi works with Fairtrade suppliers and pays Fairtrade premiums toward a worker-managed Community Development Fund, ensuring that their makers are paid fairly and provided with developmental opportunities for themselves and their children. 

Coyuchi is a member of 1% for the Planet, committing at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their 1% for the Planet donations support Fibershed in their work to close the loop of fiber manufacturing. Additionally, the brand supports White Buffalo Land Trust in their efforts to promote regenerative agriculture. In 2019, Coyuchi donated $50,000 toward their purchase of the Jalama Canyon Ranch. 

• Best for: homes
• Product range: bedding sets, pillows and pillow cases, sheets, duvet covers and sets, blankets, throws, comforters, bath sets, towels, living accessories, gifts
• Price range: $$$
• Size range: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

aiayu: Quality Garments Made Responsibly 

“aiayu is rooted in nature’s own materials—our inspiration stems from finding natural, sustainable materials and colors. We refine the things that nature has created through our gentle natural palette, revealing materials and yarns primarily in their natural color, made without the use of chemicals dyes”

Maria Heilmann, Founder of aiayu

aiayu ensures sustainability by sourcing low-impact natural materials from responsible production.

• They use a medium proportion of recycled cotton and organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. They also source animal-derived fabrics, yet they partner with suppliers that ensure the health of the land and the animals. Specifically, aiayu sources Sartuul sheep and yak wool from nomadic herders in the Green Gold project, who are working to protect and restore Mongolia’s grasslands.
• Additionally, they reduce the impact of using wool by opting for the hair of “gentle grazers” like llamas or blending wool with lower-impact materials (such as cashmere and linen). On top of that, aiayu’s Eri silk is made by silkworms fed with castor leaves instead of mulberry leaves. Unlike mulberry cultivation in conventional silk production, castor cultivation in the sourcing area is gentler for the land because these trees require no irrigation, fertilizer, or pesticides. Further down the life-cycle in the manufacturing stage, aiayu reduces their impact by keeping many knits undyed to lower the chemical usage, using renewable energy in their supply chain to cut down their climate impact, and employing a closed-loop system to reduce water use.
• Lastly, they help prolong their products’ lifespan with a complimentary repair service, reducing the life-cycle’s environmental impact. 

aiayu traces most of their supply chain.

• To ensure safe and ethical working environments, they opt to work with production partners with leading social responsibility certifications, including SA8000, BSCI, and WRAP.
• Regarding animal welfare, they use Eri silk, sometimes called “peace silk,” as the silky cocoons are only harvested after the moths have naturally emerged from them, in contrast to the cruel practice in conventional silk production in which the cocoons are boiled to prevent the moths from breaking the silk filament as they emerge. 

aiayu is not known to be part of any giving-back programs. 

• Best for: womenswear
• Product range: outerwear, knitwear, shirts, T-shirts, dresses, blouses, pants, shorts, loungewear
• Price range: $$$
• Size range: XS–XL

MagicLinen: Made-To-Order Linen Clothing With a Focus on Sustainability and Longevity

“Our commitment to doing no harm is of utmost importance to us”

Vita Murauskiene, founder of MagicLinen 

MagicLinen upholds sustainability by specializing in linen, as it is an environmentally friendly material harvested from flax plants, which requires minimal water and pesticides.

• Their linen fabrics are OEKO-TEX^® certified, meaning they are free from harmful substances and chemicals.
• The brand also minimizes waste by offering made-to-order items and repurposing most of the textile leftovers for small items. They use either compostable bio-based polymer or reusable custom linen dust bags for their primary packaging. 

MagicLinen produces their linen clothing in Lithuania, an EU member country upholding the group standards about fair wages and safe working conditions. Additionally, MagicLinen partners with third-party agencies to conduct regular ethical audits.

MagicLinen continuously supports local communities and occasionally drives new social initiatives. Their team members also volunteer in different organizations.

• Best for: kidswear, menswear, womenswear
• Product range: shirts, skirts, pants, shorts, jumpsuits, loungewear 
• Price range: $$
• Size range: XS–XXL

American Blossom Linens: Luxury Bedding Grown, Spun, and Woven in the US

“A great product emerges from simplicity, great fabrics, great design and great craftsmanship. Our family puts extensive effort into perfecting these elements to make the best sheet Made in the USA of 100% USA components and 100% USA Cotton.”

American Blossom Linens

American Blossom Linens ensures sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and chemical use.

• Firstly, they source and manufacture locally in the US. Their bedding is made farm-to-bed with US cotton and wool. By holding their entire supply chain in the US, American Blossom Linens shortens the transport distances and the associated carbon emissions.
• Secondly, the brand reduces their chemical use by utilizing Foxfibre Colored Cotton to produce dye-free sheet sets and opting for mechanical finishing processes instead of chemical processes containing toxins like formaldehyde.
• Additionally, the brand contributes to waste reduction by designing timeless and durable bedding products that don’t require frequent replacement or supplement. Their delivery boxes are made in the US from 100% recycled content. 

American Blossom Linens sources their cotton yarn and fabric from members of the US Cotton Trust, ensuring the most sustainable farming protocols found worldwide. 

American Blossom Linens is not known to be part of any giving-back programs. 

What is their product range?

• Best for: homes
• Product range: pillow cases, pillows, inserts, sheet sets, sheet separator, duvet covers, blankets, towels
• Price range: $$
• Size range: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King

April Notes: Home Textiles Featuring Timeless Designs 

“Our dedication to sustainable practices ensures that we create the softest and most earth-friendly home linens, designed to bring comfort and luxury to every moment of your day.”

April Notes

April Notes ensures their sustainability by minimizing overproduction and textile waste.

• Their timeless home textiles are created on an on-demand basis, eliminating the production of excess inventory, unsold goods, and unnecessary waste.
• Additionally, the brand sources eco-friendly natural fabrics. Their linen, cotton, and merino wool are certified free from artificial dyes and harsh chemicals. They also make eco-conscious choices for components like buttons, labels, and threads. For instance, they use sea shell buttons instead of plastic ones.
• Similarly, April Notes is committed to using environmentally friendly corn-based packaging. Consequently, their packaging is renewable, biodegradable, and compostable. 

April Notes ensures their ethics by opting to work with a boutique atelier, which ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for the artisans. 

April Notes contributes a portion of their profits to support environmental initiatives. 

• Best for: womenswear, menswear
• Product range: tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, T-shirts, sleepwear, loungewear, jumpsuits, accessories 
• Price range: $$
• Size range: XS–XL

The Ethical Silk Company: Silk Bedding Made Ethically and Eco-Consciously

“Embracing this natural fabric (silk), our products combine a love for quality goods and sustainable practices as luxury and practicality are celebrated and embodied.”

The Ethical Silk Company

The Ethical Silk Company ensures sustainability by minimizing waste, using low-impact dyes, and recycling process water. 

• They avoid large inventory and associated waste by keeping the production runs short and only repeating the runs when demand dictates. Old stock is repurposed into smaller items, so each piece of silk is carefully utilized. Patterns are placed on fabrics carefully in order to keep wastage minimal during production. During the dyeing step of manufacturing, the brand focuses on lowering the environmental impact by eliminating high-impact AZO dyes. 
• Additionally, all water used is treated with a water filtration system to remove the dye residue and is recycled for fabric washing. Their manufacturing partner also has a rainwater catchment system to use in fabric processing. When the season allows (meaning there is no monsoon), their silk can be block printed by hand and left to dry naturally outside, saving process energy and lowering carbon emissions. 
• Lastly, The Ethical Silk Company sources responsible packaging for their silk products, including compostable, corn-based clear bags from Ecoland, recycled and recyclable mailers from Lil Packing, and tissue paper wrapping. 

The Ethical Silk Company works with a Fair Trade tailoring unit to make their products, ensuring fair labor standards, including but not limited to clean and safe working conditions, payment of a living wage, no child labor, and no discrimination. Regarding animal welfare, The Ethical Silk Company exclusively sources mulberry silk extracted from a cocoon after the moth has left it, as opposed to the cruel practices typically used in conventional silk manufacturing. 

Since their inception, The Ethical Silk Company has committed to donate 10% of their profits to charitable causes. Currently, the charities of choice are Jeevan Jyothi AIDS Centre in Theni, India, which works to support those living with HIV and AIDS, and Focus Ireland, a charity preventing people from becoming, remaining, or returning to homelessness.

• Best for: kidswear, menswear, womenswear
• Product range: sleepwear, loungewear, tops, pants, slips, pajamas, robes 
• Price range: $$$
• Size range: XS–XL

Why Is It Important to Buy Products Made of More Sustainable Fabrics

It is important to buy products made from more sustainable fabrics because a sustainable textile industry has a lower carbon footprint, helps save natural resources, and is better for forests, animals, and humans alike. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Reduces Your Carbon Footprint 

The production of clothing and footwear is estimated to contribute 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions—more than all international flights and shipping combined. If the fashion industry were a country, it would be the fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide. 

One way to reduce the carbon footprint of the clothes you buy is to opt for sustainable fabrics. Sustainable fabrics, which are often made with natural or recycled fibers, have relatively low carbon footprints compared to petroleum-based fabrics. For example, organic cotton made in the US has a carbon footprint of 2.35 kg CO₂ (per ton of spun fiber)—a quarter of polyester’s carbon footprint.

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Reduces Demand for Natural Resources and Waste Management

The textile industry uses water and land to grow cotton and other fibers. It is estimated that 79 billion cubic meters of water were used for the sector worldwide in 2015. For example, producing a single cotton T-shirt requires as much water as one person drinks for 2.5 years (2,700 liters of fresh water).

Worse yet, the textile economy is vastly more linear than circular: the largest amount of resources used in clothes ended up in landfills (instead of being recycled to remake clothes). According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation,

• Less than 3% of materials used in the textile economy in 2015 came from recycled sources.
• In other words, more than 97% of resources used in making clothes are newly extracted. 

When clothing items are disposed of within a short period of time—under a year in the case of half of the fast fashion clothes—the natural systems that provide raw materials for fabrics don’t have enough time to recover and regenerate, which could lead to ecological breakdown. 

Sustainable fabrics are made with less water and emissions while lasting longer:

• Because they are durable, you don’t need to buy new clothes too often. 
• Thus, you help reduce the pressure to extract more resources for making new items. 

Similarly, making and consuming sustainable fabrics made with recycled materials reduces the demand for virgin materials while helping tackle waste management. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Sustainable Management of Forests

Sustainable plant-based fabrics are made with raw materials from forests and plantations that are sustainably managed, such as complying with FSC standards. 

When you buy sustainable plant-based fabrics, you discourage unsustainable forestry practices like illegal logging. You can help reduce deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the effects of climate change. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Fairer Treatment of Animals 

The fashion industry is rife with animal mistreatment when it comes to making animal-based fabrics like wool or silk. Every year, billions of animals suffer and die for clothing and accessories.

Buying sustainable vegan alternatives can help to reduce the pressure on raising more and more animals to meet the demand for animal-based fabrics while sacrificing their well-being and lives. 

Suppose you have to buy fabrics made with, for example, wool or silk; make sure you only choose brands committed to cruelty-free products. In that case, you help advocate better treatments for animals raised within the textile industry. 

Using Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Fairer Treatment of Textile Workers 

Recent statistics from UNICEF estimated as many as 170 million child laborers worldwide, many of whom were engaged in some form of work in the textile industry. They don’t get paid minimum wages and often work long hours. 

When you buy sustainable fabrics from brands transparent about the working conditions at their factories, you discourage the use of child labor and help promote better working conditions for textile workers.

How Can You Generally Buy More Sustainable Fabrics

The key to sustainably buying fabrics is to check on relevant environmental and original certifications. 

For natural fabrics: 

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): A globally recognized certification system that ensures 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). 
• USDA Certified Biobased Product: The USDA BioPreferred^® Certification is a voluntary certification offered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The certification identifies products made from plants or other renewable materials.
• Ecolabel: Ecolabel is the official European Union voluntary label recognized worldwide for certified products with a guaranteed, independently verified low environmental impact. The label requires high environmental standards throughout the entire life-cycle: from raw material extraction through production and distribution to disposal. It also encourages companies to develop innovative, durable, easy-to-repair, and recyclable products. 

For plant-based semi-natural/semi-synthetic fabrics:

• Forest Stewardship Council: An FSC certification ensures that the wood (or wood-like material) comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
  
  There are two types of FSC Certification: 
  • FSC Forest Management Certification, with a focus on the origin of the wood—the forest. 
  • FSC Chain of Custody Certification, which focuses on the path from the forest to the customer’s home. 

• Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification: PEFC’s approaches to sustainable forest management are in line with protecting the forests globally and locally and making the certificate work for everyone. Getting a PEFC certification is strict enough to ensure the sustainable management of a forest is socially just, ecologically sound, and economically viable but attainable not only by big but small forest owners.

For recycled fabrics:

• Recycled Claim Standard (RCS): The Textile Exchange RCS was originally developed as an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled input and chain of custody. 
• The Global Recycled Standard (GRS): The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. It can be used for any product with more than 20% recycled material.

For all types of fabrics:

• STeP by OEKO-TEX^®: STeP by OEKO-TEX^® is an independent certification system for brands, retailers, and manufacturers from the textile and leather industry. It communicates organizational environmental measures, including reducing carbon footprint and water usage.
• OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100: OEKO-TEX^® labels aim to ensure that products pose no risk to human health (i.e. containing banned chemicals). 

Some certifications that are signaling brands’ efforts toward lowered environmental impacts and a circular economy are: 

• B Corp Certification: The label B Corp is a certification reserved for for-profit companies. Certified holders are assessed on their social and environmental impacts. 
• 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.

Final Thoughts

The sustainability of bedding depends mostly on the fabrics used. Generally, plant-based fibers cultivated organically are the most sustainable option.

By purchasing bedding from brands that commit to sustainability, you support their mission to create a fairer and less harmful textile industry for all lives on Earth.

Here is the list (again) of the most sustainable bedding brands:

• Boll & Branch
• Ethical Bedding
• Takasa
• ettitude
• PlushBeds
• Bhumi
• Coyuchi
• aiayu
• MagicLinen 
• American Blossom Linens
• April Notes
• The Ethical Silk Company

To make your use of these bedding items even more sustainable, follow these steps:

1. Buy second-hand, recycled, or upcycled bedding items made with low-impact materials. 
2. Keep your bedding for as long as possible.
3. At the end-of-life of your bedding, upcycle the materials to extend their usage and arrange for them to be recycled or properly disposed of.

Stay impactful,

Sources

• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Synthetic Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Natural Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Boll & Branch: Home
• Ethical Bedding: Home
• Takasa: Home
• ettitude: Home
• PlushBeds: Home
• Bhumi: Home
• Coyuchi: Home
• aiayu: Home
• MagicLinen: Home
• American Blossom Linens: Home
• April Notes: Home
• The Ethical Silk Company: Home
• Good On You: Brand Directory | Boll & Branch
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Global Organic Textile Standard: Home
• Fair Trade USA: Home
• Boll & Branch: Why Is Organic Cotton Bedding Better Than Conventional Cotton?
• Boll & Branch: Our Impact Report
• Boll & Branch: Our Process
• Fair Trade: Small-scale Producer Organizations
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Wool Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Boll & Branch: Helping From Home
• B Corporation: Ethical Bedding
• Ethical Bedding: Our Us | Story, Mission & Plan
• OEKO-TEX: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX^®
• Ethical Bedding: Why Eucalyptus? | Eucalyptus is the future’s fabric.
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Recycled Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Ethical Bedding: BottleBounce Snuggle Blanket
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Bamboo Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Recycled Polyester Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• One Percent For The Planet: Home
• Ethical Bedding: WWF Support
• Ethical Bedding: Give a little back
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Global Organic Textile Standard: Home
• Fairtrade International: Home
• Takasa: How the Fairtrade Movement Helps Cotton Farmers
• Takasa: Sustainability Update – Shipping Boxes | Why We Switched From Virgin Forest Fibres to 100% Recycled Content
• Forest Stewardship Council
• SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE: SFI 2022 CERTIFIED SOURCING STANDARD
• Takasa: Sustainability at Takasa
• GreenStory: Produce LCA | Optimize Life Cycle Analysis for Sustainability
• Takasa: Takasa is Now a BC Benefit Company
• SIMPLY ZERO: Home
• SIMPLY ZERO: Safe Community Water, Rwanda | SOCIAL PROJECT
• SIMPLY ZERO: Solar Power Project, Bhadla | RENEWABLE PROJECT
• SIMPLY ZERO: Kariba Forest Reforestation | REFORESTATION PROJECT
• FAIR TRADE INTERNATIONAL: How Fairtrade certification works
• Takasa: organic duvet inserts, pillows and comforters
• Downmark: Downmark Certification
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Wool Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• B Corporation: ettitude
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Bamboo Lyocell Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Good On You: Brand Directory | ettitude
• ettitude: Introduce Loop.
• ettitude: About
• ettitude: Sustainability
• International Labour Organization: ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• ettitude: Impact Report 2021
• CarbonFund: Home
• charity: water
• One Percent For The Planet: Home
• PlushBeds: LUXURY SHEETS
• PlushBeds: MATTRESS PROTECTORS
• PlushBeds: COMFORTERS
• PlushBeds: BLANKETS
• Sustainable Jungle: 11 Sustainable Bedding Brands Tucking You In Without Toxins
• Global Organic Textile Standard: Home
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are TENCEL^TM Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Rayon Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Control Union Global: Global Organic Latex Standard
• PlushBeds: SUSTAINABILITY & TRANSPARENCY
• PlushBeds: What is a Sustainable Mattress?
• TerraPass: Home
• PlushBeds: PlushBeds Certifications
• Green America: Home
• Control Union: Home
• PlushBeds: Our Story
• Textile Exchange: Responsible Down Standard
• PlushBeds: White Goose Down Comforter
• PlushBeds: Natural Wool Comforter
• PlushBeds: PlushBeds Green Scholarships
• PlushBeds: OUR GIVING | Together, Our Families Can Make a Difference.
• Ed Asner Family Center: Home
• Every Kid Counts: Home
• Bhumi: Seed to Shelf
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Global Organic Textile Standard: Home
• Fairtrade International: Home
• Bhumi: Our Commitment to SUSTAINABILITY
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Wool Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Coyuchi: Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton
• Global Organic Textile Standard: Home
• Coyuchi: Fair Trade Certified™
• Control Union Global: Global Organic Latex Standard
• Coyuchi: Our 30 Year Journey
• Coyuchi: 2nd Home Take Back
• Coyuchi: 2nd Home Renewed
• Coyuchi: Circular Initiatives
• Coyuchi: Standards + Certifications
• One Percent For The Planet: Home
• Coyuchi: 1% for the Planet
• Fibershed: Home
• White Buffalo Land Trust: Home
• Story Maps: Campaign for Jalama | 1,000 Acre Center for Regenerative Agriculture
• aiayu: Organic bedding
• aiayu: Materials
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Recycled Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Organic Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Home
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Wool Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Cashmere Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Silk Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• aiayu: Responsibility
• Good On You: Brand Directory | aiayu
• aiayu: Repair service
• SA International: SA8000
• Amfori: BSCI
• WRAP Compliance: Home
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• OEKO-TEX: OEKO-TEX^® STANDARD 100
• MagicLinen: Meet SUSTAINABILITY
• MagicLinen: About MAGIC LINEN
• American Blossom Linens: Why Buy American Blossom Linens
• American Blossom Linens: All You Need to Know About Foxfibre® Naturally Colored Cotton
• American Blossom Linens: Cotton sheet sets
• American Blossom Linens: Our Process
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Natural Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• April Notes: OUR SUSTAINABILITY PROMISE
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Linen Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Cotton Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Merino Wool Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Good On You: Brand Directory | The Ethical Silk Company
• The Ethical Silk Company: OUR STORY
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Silk Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• The Ethical Silk Company: Shipping & Returns
• Lil Packing: Home
• Mehra Shaw: Fair Trade Standards
• Focus Ireland: Home
• European Parliament: The impact of textile production and waste on the environment (infographic)
• Science Direct: The challenge of “Depeche Mode” in the fashion industry – Does the industry have the capacity to become sustainable through circular economic principles, a scoping review
• Science Direct: Carbon Footprint of Textile and Clothing Products
• European Parliament: Environmental impact of the textile and clothing industry
• European Parliament: What if fashion were good for the planet?
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning fashion’s future
• McKinsey: Style that’s sustainable: A new fast-fashion formula
• Forest Stewardship Council: Home
• Our World in Data: Deforestation and Forest Loss
• Our World in Data: Renewable Energy
• Peta: Animals Used For Clothing
• The Guardian: Child labour in the fashion supply chain
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Natural Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Home
• BioPreferred: WHAT IS THE BIOPREFERRED PROGRAM?
• European Commission: Environment | EU Ecolabel
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Semi-Natural/Semi-Synthetic Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Forest Stewardship Council
• FSC Forest Management Certification
• FSC Chain of Custody Certification
• Textile Exchange: The RCS and GRS are designed to boost the use of recycled materials
• Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification
• Impactful Ninja: How Sustainable Are Recycled Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Textile Exchange: Recycled Claim Standard
• Textile Exchange: Global Recycled Standard
• OEKO-TEX: Certification according to STeP by OEKO-TEX®
• OEKO-TEX: OEKO-TEX^® STANDARD 100
• B Corp Certification: Home
• C2CCertified: Home