Amid growing concerns about the environmental impact of the sleep industry, the pressure to find the most sustainable mattress materials is more apparent than ever. Unfortunately, greenwashing in the mattress market makes it harder for you and all other consumers to figure out which materials are sustainable and which are not. So, we had to ask: Which mattress materials are the most sustainable?

The most sustainable mattress materials include organic latex, organic hemp, and organic sheep wool which are renewable, free of toxic chemicals, and generally last for a long time. In addition, organic cotton and coconut coir are biodegradable materials with carbon sequestration potential. 

In this article, we will walk you through the life-cycle of the most sustainable mattress materials. Then, we will evaluate their sustainability, potential, and shortfalls. And in the end, we’ll show you some tips for buying sustainable mattresses.

Here’s How We Assessed the Sustainability of All Mattress Materials

Mattresses are rife with synthetic chemicals, often from sourcing raw materials to processing them. However, there are sustainable mattress materials that avoid using toxic chemicals while utilizing renewable and/or waste materials. 

“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 mattress materials, 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 mattress materials!

These Are the 10 Most Sustainable Mattress Materials

These mattress materials utilize renewable and/or waste materials to lower the environmental impacts of sourcing. All the plant and animal-derived materials on this list are biodegradable and compostable, returning nutrition to the soil as they break down. 

Overall, these fabrics are all highly sustainable. However, the actual environmental impact of using a specific textile product depends on many factors, including: 

• the sourcing of fibers
• the type of energy used in manufacturing and usage
• the distance and mode of transportation 

Let’s dive deeper into each type of mattress material and the stages of its life-cycle and find out how it can be even more sustainable.

Organic Latex Mattress Material: Very Durable Foam From Organically Cultivated Trees

Organic latex is a mattress material harvested from various flowering plants, predominantly the rubber tree, cultivated without any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. They are superior in durability while being biodegradable. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of organic latex and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Growing rubber trees organically for a mattress material: Sourcing natural latex from organically cultivated rubber trees for organic 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 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. 
• Manufacturing of organic latex foam as a mattress material: Due to energy consumption, manufacturing organic latex mattresses can have a high carbon footprint. However, organic latex production is free of synthetic chemicals and the associated adverse environmental impacts. 
• Transportation of organic latex foam as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of organic latex mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Latex typically travels from forests/plantations to processing factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of organic latex foam as a mattress material: The usage of organic latex mattresses is sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan of up to 20 years. 
• End-of-life of organic latex foam as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of organic latex mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Organic latex is among the most sustainable mattress materials. It is a durable and biodegradable plant-derived material with a high carbon sequestration potential. Additionally, organic latex generally comes from renewable and sustainably managed sources. 

Organic Hemp Mattress Material: Durable Organic Mattress Filling From Productive, Adaptive Plants 

Organic hemp is a sustainable filling for mattresses, harvested from the industrial hemp plant without any added chemicals. An organic industrial hemp crop can provide a relatively high fiber yield while benefiting soil health. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of organic hemp and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Growing industrial hemp plants in organic farms for a mattress material: Sourcing organic hemp fibers for organic hemp mattresses is generally sustainable. Organically cultivated hemp crops sequester carbon and improve the health of the soil. Also, little irrigation is needed for hemp cultivation, yet the fiber yields (from hemp stems) are typically high. 
• Manufacturing of organic hemp fibers as a mattress material: Due to energy consumption, manufacturing organic hemp mattresses can have a high carbon footprint, which could have a knock-on climate impact if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy.
• Transportation of organic hemp fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of organic hemp mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Organic hemp fabrics typically travel from fields (where organic hemp plants are grown) to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of organic hemp fibers as a mattress material: The usage of organic hemp mattresses is relatively sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan of up to 25 years. 
• End-of-life of organic hemp fibers as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of 100% organic hemp mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Organic hemp is among the most sustainable mattress materials. The organic hemp fiber raw materials come from a low-input, high-yield, and beneficial crop. At the same time, the manufacturing process doesn’t involve any toxic synthetic chemicals. Organic hemp mattresses are also durable and biodegradable.

Organic Sheep Wool Mattress Material: Flame-Inhibiting Stuffing and Cover Sourced and Manufactured Without Harmful Synthetic Chemicals

Organic sheep wool is a natural fire retardant that makes a safe, healthy, and sustainable mattress material. It is biodegradable at the end of life, durable at the usage stage, and renewable at the sourcing stage. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of organic wool and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of organic sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Sourcing organic sheep wool fibers for organic wool mattresses is generally sustainable. Organic sheep wool fibers are generally renewable, while organic agriculture systems often adopt sustainable practices that promote biodiversity, increase soil health, and sequester more carbon. 
• Manufacturing of organic sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Manufacturing organic sheep wool fabrics is energy and water-intensive. The high energy consumption means manufacturing organic wool mattresses can have a high carbon footprint, which could have a knock-on climate impact if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy. 
• Transportation of organic sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of organic sheep wool mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Organic sheep wool batting/fabric typically travels from pastures to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of organic sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: The usage of organic sheep wool mattresses is relatively sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan. The natural properties of sheep wool enable sheep wool mattresses to retain their shape well. 
• End-of-life of organic sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of 100% organic wool mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Organic sheep wool is among the most sustainable mattress materials. It is renewable, breathable, and naturally inhibits flame. Thanks to sheep wool’s natural properties, sheep wool mattresses retain their shape well and can last for many years. At the end of their life, 100% organic sheep wool mattresses are readily biodegradable and suitable for composting.

Organic Cotton Mattress Material: Plant-Based Stuffing and Cover From Organically Cultivated Cotton Plants 

Organic cotton is a sustainable material for mattress fillings and covers. The natural fiber is harvested and processed without any added chemicals and is fully biodegradable at the end of its life. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of organic cotton and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of organically-cultivated cotton plants as a mattress material: Sourcing organic cotton fibers for organic cotton 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. 
• Manufacturing of organic cotton fibers as a mattress material: Due to energy consumption, manufacturing organic cotton mattresses can have a high carbon footprint, which could have a knock-on climate impact if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy. 
• Transportation of organic cotton fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of organic cotton mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Organic cotton typically travels from fields (where organic cotton plants are grown) to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of organic cotton fibers as a mattress material: Organic cotton mattresses are relatively sustainable because well-made organic cotton mattresses can last fairly long. However, the lifespan of mattresses made with cotton is generally not comparable to those made with organic latex, organic hemp, or organic wool. Additionally, breathable organic cotton covers require less frequent washes, saving water and energy. 
• End-of-life of organic cotton fibers as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of 100% organic cotton mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Organic cotton is among the most sustainable mattress materials. The raw materials for organic cotton mattresses come from potentially renewable and carbon-negative sources, and the manufacturing process doesn’t involve toxic chemicals. Additionally, organic cotton mattresses are biodegradable. 

Coconut Coir Mattress Material: Biodegradable Mattress Ticking From Coconut Husk Waste

Coconut coir is a mattress material obtained from the coconut husk, a by-product of the coconut fruit industry. Coconut plants provide many products, making the choice to use this supposed waste even more sustainable. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of coconut coir and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of coconut coir as a mattress material: Sourcing coconut coir for mattresses is generally sustainable. A coconut plant provides multiple products while sequestering carbon to lessen the climate crisis. Additionally, the species’ wide distribution means high availability of the coconut coir material at possibly short distances. 
• Manufacturing of coconut coir as a mattress material: The sustainability of manufacturing coconut coir for mattress filling varies depending on energy consumption from using machinery in some of the mechanical processes to extract fiber. Additionally, it is important to consider the other components in coconut hybrid mattresses. 
• Transportation of coconut coir as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of coconut mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Coconut fibers typically travel from forests/fields (where coconut plants are grown) to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of coconut coir as a mattress material: The sustainability of using coconut mattresses varies depending on their lifespan. For example, combining coconut coir with natural latex can result in a more durable mattress that is more sustainable in the usage stage.
• End-of-life of coconut coir as a mattress material: The sustainability of coconut mattresses at the end of their life varies depending on their composition. Coconut coir is also biodegradable. Consequently, coconut mattresses that contain 100% coconut fibers or exclusively coconut coir and other organic materials, such as natural latex foam, break down naturally at the end of their life and are sustainable. 

Coconut coir is a sustainable material for mattresses largely because it is a by-product of coconut fruit. Furthermore, coconut trees provide many products and have a carbon sequestration potential. And lastly, the manufacturing process of coconut mattresses can forgo toxic chemicals.

Natural Latex Mattress Material: Highly Durable Foam Cultivated From Trees

Natural latex is a mattress material harvested from various flowering plants, predominantly rubber trees, without cutting down the plants. It is durable and biodegradable.

Here are the life-cycle stages of natural latex and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Growing rubber trees for a mattress material: 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 also live for a long time, sequestering carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan. 
• Manufacturing of natural latex as a mattress material: Due to energy consumption, manufacturing natural latex mattresses can have a high carbon footprint, which could have a knock-on climate impact if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy. 
• Transportation of natural latex as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of latex mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Natural latex typically travels from forests/plantations to processing factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of natural latex as a mattress material: The usage of natural latex mattresses is sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan of up to 20 years. 
• End-of-life of natural latex as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of natural latex mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Natural latex is among the most sustainable mattress materials. It is a durable and biodegradable plant-derived material with a high carbon sequestration potential. Natural latex can be harvested from rubber trees without killing the trees. 

Kapok Mattress Material: Durable Mattress Ticking From Fast-Growing, Minimal-Input Tree Species

Kapok is a mattress material cultivated from fast-growing tropical trees that require no irrigation. Consequently, it is an easily renewable, low-water-footprint raw material. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of kapok and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of kapok fibers as a mattress material: Sourcing kapok fibers for kapok mattresses is generally sustainable. Kapok fibers are a renewable material from fast-growing tropical trees that can grow without pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation. Kapok trees are highly available, growing in many locations throughout Asia, Africa, and the American continent. 
• Manufacturing of kapok fibers as a mattress material: Manufacturing kapok mattresses can be sustainable. This is mainly because most processes during the manufacturing of kapok fiber are fundamentally mechanical and free of added chemicals. However, the carbon footprint of the manufacturing stage could be significant if energy generation depends heavily on fossil fuels.
• Transportation of kapok fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of kapok mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Kapok fibers typically travel from forests (where kapok trees are grown) to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. Yet, kapok is a very lightweight fiber. Thus the transporting footprint for mattresses made with kapok would typically be lower than mattresses made with other heavier natural fibers (cotton, hemp, wool).
• Usage of kapok fibers as a mattress material: The usage of kapok mattresses is sustainable because they tend to have a long lifespan. Kapok fiber is also resilient, contributing to the overall durability of kapok mattresses.
• End-of-life of kapok fibers as a mattress material: The sustainability of kapok mattresses at the end of their life varies depending on their composition. Kapok fibers are also biodegradable. Consequently, kapok mattresses that contain 100% kapok fibers or exclusively kapok and other organic materials, such as wool or natural latex foam, break down naturally at the end of their life and are sustainable. 

Kapok is a sustainable mattress material because it is cultivated from fast-growing tropical trees that require no irrigation. Additionally, kapok fibers are durable when in use and biodegradable when disposed of. 

Hemp Mattress Material: Durable Natural Filling From a Plant Crop With Exceptional Carbon Sequestration Potential

Hemp is a mattress material cultivated from low-input, high-yield hemp plants. Hemp fibers can be grown and processed without harsh chemicals. 

Here are the life-cycle stages of hemp and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of hemp fibers as a mattress material: Sourcing hemp fibers for hemp mattresses is generally sustainable. The hemp crops sequester carbon and improve the health of the soil. Little water, pesticides, or herbicides are needed for hemp cultivation, yet the fiber yields (from hemp stems) are typically high. 
• Manufacturing of hemp fibers as a mattress material: The sustainability of manufacturing hemp mattresses varies depending on the level of chemical use and energy consumption. Though hemp fibers can be fundamentally extracted and processed mechanically, harmful synthetic chemicals are sometimes used to reduce labor and quicken the process. This could lead to more adverse environmental impacts. 
• Transportation of hemp fibers as a mattress material: The transportation of hemp fabrics might have a significant carbon footprint because of the distances covered and emissions associated with transporting vehicles. Hemp fabrics typically travel from fields (where hemp plants are grown) to factories, then sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of hemp fibers as a mattress material: The usage of hemp mattresses is sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan of up to 25 years. 
• End-of-life of hemp fibers as a mattress material: The sustainability of hemp mattresses at the end of their life varies depending on their composition. Hemp fibers are also biodegradable. Consequently, hemp mattresses that contain 100% hemp fibers or exclusively hemp and other organic materials, such as natural latex foam, break down naturally at the end of their life and are sustainable. 

Hemp is a sustainable material for mattresses. Hemp fibers used in mattresses come from a low-input, high-yield, and beneficial crop. They can also be manufactured without using toxic synthetic chemicals.

Organic Bamboo Mattress Material: Durable, Breathable Stuffing and Cover From Fast-Growing Plant Crop 

Organic bamboo is a mattress material cultivated from the fast-growing, carbon-sinking bamboo plant. The organic cultivation of bamboo fibers uses no toxic synthetic chemicals. However, the most commonly used bamboo fibers in mattresses (plush of bamboo viscose fibers) are typically regenerated chemically.

Here are the life-cycle stages of bamboo fibers and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of organic bamboo fibers as a mattress material: Sourcing organic bamboo for mattresses is sustainable because the crop grows and regrows rapidly without needing irrigation or using agrochemicals. However, it is noteworthy that to form mattresses, organic bamboo is often used in combination with synthetic foams that are unsustainable to source.
• Manufacturing of organic bamboo fibers as a mattress material: Due to energy consumption, manufacturing organic bamboo mattresses can have a high carbon footprint, which could have a knock-on climate impact if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy. The commonly used bamboo mattress material, bamboo viscose, is also chemical-intensive, which makes it critical to choose manufacturers with reliable certifications.
• Transportation of organic bamboo fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of organic bamboo mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Organic bamboo fibers typically travel from fields (where bamboo plants are cultivated organically) to factories and then to sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of organic bamboo fibers as a mattress material: The sustainability of using organic bamboo mattresses varies depending on their lifespan. For instance, organic bamboo hybrid mattresses based on organic latex could last for a long time, leading to a sustainable usage stage. On the other hand, organic bamboo-infused memory foam mattresses tend not to be very durable, which can impact their long-term sustainability.
• End-of-life of organic bamboo fibers as a mattress material: The sustainability of organic bamboo mattresses at the end of their life varies depending on their composition. Organic bamboo fibers are also biodegradable. Consequently, organic bamboo mattresses that contain 100% bamboo fibers or exclusively bamboo and other organic materials, such as natural latex foam, break down naturally at the end of their life. In contrast, organic bamboo mattresses based on synthetic foams don’t break down naturally, and thus are unsustainable at the end of their life. 

Organic bamboo is a sustainable material for mattresses because it comes from a highly renewable and carbon-negative source. Organic bamboo fibers are also biodegradable. However, organic bamboo is often combined with other components, particularly memory foam, to make mattresses. It is important to also consider the sustainability of those components.

Sheep Wool Mattress Material: Durable Flame-Inhibiting Fibers for Pads and Covers

Sheep wool is a natural material that lasts a long time in mattresses and readily biodegrades at the end of its life. Additionally, using sheep wool as a fire barrier in mattresses instead of synthetic flame retardants is much more environmentally friendly.

Here are the life-cycle stages of sheep wool and each stage’s sustainability assessment:

• Sourcing of sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Sourcing sheep wool fibers for wool mattresses is potentially sustainable. Sheep wool fibers are made with sheep fleece, which is generally considered a renewable resource. However, this raw material bears the environmental impacts of raising sheep, including global warming, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. 
• Manufacturing of sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Sheep wool fiber manufacturing is energy–and water–intensive, making wool processing less sustainable. The process starts with collecting sheep’s fleeces. In many cases, shearing is painful and stressful for the animal. Additionally, mechanical steps during wool processes can have a high carbon footprint if manufacturing depends largely on fossil-based energy. 
• Transportation of sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: Transporting can be a carbon-intensive stage in the life-cycle of sheep wool mattresses because of the emissions associated with the transporting and delivering vehicles. Sheep wool fibers typically travel from pasture lands, where the sheep’s fleeces are collected, to processing and finishing factories, sorting centers, shops, and consumers’ homes before going to recycling centers or landfills. 
• Usage of sheep wool fibers as a mattress material: The usage of sheep wool mattresses is relatively sustainable because they generally have a long lifespan. The natural properties of sheep wool enable sheep wool mattresses to retain their shape well. 
• End-of-life of wool fibers as a mattress material: The end-of-life stage of 100% sheep wool mattresses is sustainable because they are biodegradable and recyclable. 

Sheep wool can be a sustainable mattress material largely because it is durable in mattresses. Additionally, sheep wool is potentially renewable, signifying a sustainable sourcing stage, and readily biodegradable, signifying a sustainable end-of-life stage.

How Can You Buy Mattress Materials More Sustainably

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

• For mattresses made with natural materials:
  • 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). 
  • 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.
  • USDA Organic: A certification by the United States Department of Agriculture that guarantees products are produced through approved organic methods. It covers the entire lifecycle of agricultural products, including crop cultivation, livestock raising, processing, and handling, ensuring they are free from synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other prohibited substances. When a mattress has a USDA Organic certification, it means the department certifies some or all of the natural materials used in the mattresses.
  • Responsible Wool Standard (RWS): This certification is an international standard developed by Textile Exchange that focuses on wool production, from the welfare of sheep to the land they graze on. It ensures that wool comes from farms that practice responsible animal welfare and land management. Products with this certification guarantee that the wool is sourced in an ethical, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible way, providing transparency and confidence to consumers.
  • Rainforest Alliance: This certification ensures that the farms and forests providing raw materials for a mattress meet rigorous environmental, social, and economic sustainability standards. It covers practices that promote biodiversity, improve livelihoods, and ensure the responsible use of natural resources, helping to conserve forests, protect wildlife, and support farmers and forest communities.
  • Forest Stewardship Council: An FSC certification ensures that the wood (or wood-like material) used in a mattress 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. 

• For all types of mattresses, particularly synthetic mattresses containing foam:
  • OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100: OEKO-TEX® labels aim to ensure that products pose no risk to human health (i.e. containing banned chemicals). 
  • 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.
  • MADE SAFE: This certification ensures that products are made with safe ingredients that are not known or suspected to harm human health, animals, or ecosystems. It screens for a wide range of harmful substances (over 6,500 substances), including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and toxicants, providing assurance that the products are safe to use.
  • 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.
  • Indoor Advantage^TM: A certification that ensures products meet stringent indoor air quality standards for low VOC emissions. It applies to a variety of products such as furniture, building materials, and finishes, verifying that they contribute to a healthier indoor environment by emitting low levels of volatile organic compounds.

Finally, 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.

Why Is It Important to Buy Mattresses Made of More Sustainable Materials

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. On that note, 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 cotton, 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

To recap, the most sustainable mattress materials are as follows: 

1. Organic Latex Mattresses
2. Organic Hemp Mattresses
3. Organic Sheep Wool Mattresses
4. Organic Cotton Mattresses
5. Coconut Coir Mattresses
6. Natural Latex Mattresses
7. Kapok Mattresses
8. Hemp Mattresses
9. Organic Bamboo Mattresses
10. Sheep Wool Mattresses

These mattresses utilize renewable materials and/or waste to lower the environmental impacts of sourcing. Furthermore, the natural mattresses in particular are either free of toxic synthetic chemicals or relatively low in chemical usage and disposal. 

To make your use of these mattress materials even more sustainable, follow these steps:

1. Buy second-hand, recycled, or upcycled mattresses made with these materials.
2. While using these mattresses, maximize the number of wears between washes and keep them as long as possible.
3. At the end-of-life of these mattress materials, upcycle the materials to extend their usage and arrange for them to be recycled or properly disposed of.

Stay impactful,

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• eco-INSTITUT
• Impactful Ninja: Are Innerspring Mattresses Eco-Friendly & Sustainable? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: Are Latex Mattresses Eco-Friendly & Sustainable? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Impactful Ninja: Are Futon Mattresses Eco-Friendly & Sustainable? A Life-Cycle Analysis
• Indoor Advantage^TM
• B Corp Certification
• Cradle2Cradle certification
• LeafScore: The Complete Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Mattresses
• Green Mattress: Why Organic Mattress? | Why Organic Mattresses Are Important
• Our World In Date: Deforestation and Forest Loss