And is it worth it?
An 'Earth Friendly' Place To Sleep
Ethical bedding refers to sheets, pillows, duvets and toppers that are produced and manufactured with a focus on ethical and sustainable practices.
These practices encompass various aspects of production, sourcing, and labour to minimise negative impacts on the environment, communities, and workers involved in the production process. Here are some key components of ethical bedding:
- Sustainable Materials: Ethical bedding often involves the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, Eucalyptus (Tencel) and can even incorporate recycled plastics. These materials are grown and processed with minimal environmental impact, reducing the use of pesticides, chemicals, and water.
- Locally Sourced Production: An ethical bedding company based in the UK will, whenever possible, source products manufactured right here in mainland Britain. This vastly reduces the amount of fuel (and thus, emissions) it takes to move goods around prior to sale.
- Fair Trade Practices: Ethical bedding companies prioritise fair labour practices, ensuring that workers involved in the production process are treated fairly, paid decent wages, and provided with safe working conditions.
- Transparency: Ethical bedding brands are transparent about their supply chains and manufacturing processes. They may provide information about the origin of materials, the locations where products are made, and the steps taken to ensure ethical standards are met.
- Minimal Waste: Ethical bedding companies aim to reduce waste and minimize their carbon footprint. This could involve using recycled or upcycled materials, as well as employing efficient manufacturing processes that generate less waste.
- Certifications: Look for certifications such as Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic textiles, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for products free from harmful substances. Also look for Fair-Trade certification for ensuring fair labour practices and EDFA (European Down & Feather Association) for better animal welfare.
- Animal Welfare: Ethical bedding may also consider animal welfare by using materials that do not involve cruelty to animals, such as avoiding down from live-plucked birds or using alternatives like synthetic fills.
- Durability and Longevity: Ethical bedding often focuses on producing high-quality, durable products that are meant to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements and further reducing waste.
- Packaging and Shipping: Ethical bedding companies may also pay attention to sustainable packaging and shipping practices to minimise environmental impact.
BEAUTIFULLY MADE, ETHICALLY SOURCED BED LINEN
When the Linen Cupboard was founded over 20 years ago, we never set out to become an eco company. Our high standards, however, have forged a path towards ethically sourced bedding, meaning we do everything we can to reduce our impact on the planet.
So, is ethical bedding worth it?
Let's face it, bed linen doesn't have to be comfortable. It needn't be soft and cosy. It can simply be functional and unwelcoming. But as humans we spend a third of our lives in bed. And with this in mind, why wouldn't you seek out bedding which offers the most comfort? As it turns out, some of the most luxurious bed linen you can buy happens to be environmentally friendly, too.
It may have taken a while for popular consumer ideals to align with our very own ethics and values, but we are pleased to observe a significant increase in customer awareness when it comes to ethical bedding.
From the materials we use to make our bedding (organic cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, or recycled plastic) to the location of our chosen production facilities (50% of our products are made right here in the UK), we strive to minimise the effect that Linen Cupboard has on the environment.
