Sustainable mattress: the conscious choice guide

Frequently Asked Questions

When purchasing sustainable products, you might immediately think of the use of natural or recycled materials, but when it comes to mattresses, there are more factors to consider when making a conscious choice. A mattress is only truly sustainable if it's produced responsibly, lasts a long time, and can be recycled into a new mattress. How exactly does that work? Read on!

Ubed vertelt over duurzame matrassen thumbnail

Why should a mattress be environmentally friendly?

The mattress industry is and remains extremely polluting; over one and a half million mattresses are discarded annually in the Netherlands alone. This is a shame, because if a mattress gets wet and dirty, the incinerator is the only option, resulting in significant emissions.

A study by ABN AMRO (2019) showed that if all mattresses were recycled, it would save 185,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the next 10 years, which is equivalent to 1.2 million return flights from Amsterdam to Paris.

The portion of mattresses that is collected is primarily downcycled into inferior materials. This is because too many mattresses still contain foam. This material must not get wet, is difficult to separate, and cannot be recycled into new foam blocks for the mattress.

Interested in a sustainable mattress ? Find your match in 5 steps!

To the mattress selection test

Interested in a sustainable mattress ? Find your match in 5 steps!

To the mattress selection test

Pay attention to these properties when purchasing a sustainable mattress

The mattress filling does not contain foam, but only high-quality materials that have a long lifespan, such as 100% polyester.
OrThe mattress filling contains only natural, long-lasting materials that do not release harmful substances when burned, such as natural latex.
The layers of the mattress can be replaced individually, for example, if a specific layer wears out sooner. This reduces material and energy consumption in the long run. Repairing is always better than recycling.
The material used is 100% recyclable into a new mattress.

How you can contribute to a cleaner industry

You can, of course, also contribute to reducing pollution in the mattress industry. First, by considering the above characteristics during your search.

At Ubed, you'll always buy a mattress that meets these criteria. Our mattresses have a long lifespan thanks to the quality of their components and their simplicity of construction. Each component is interchangeable, and all materials are 100% recyclable.

Pay attention to these properties when purchasing a sustainable mattress

The mattress filling does not contain foam, but only high-quality materials that have a long lifespan, such as 100% polyester.
OrThe mattress filling contains only natural, long-lasting materials that do not release harmful substances when burned, such as natural latex.
The layers of the mattress can be replaced individually, for example, if a specific layer wears out sooner. This reduces material and energy consumption in the long run. Repairing is always better than recycling.
The material used is 100% recyclable into a new mattress.

How you can contribute to a cleaner industry

You can, of course, also contribute to reducing pollution in the mattress industry. First, by considering the above characteristics during your search.

At Ubed, you'll always buy a mattress that meets these criteria. Our mattresses have a long lifespan thanks to the quality of their components and their simplicity of construction. Each component is interchangeable, and all materials are 100% recyclable.

This is the sustainability checklist

Lifetime guarantee: Does the manufacturer offer a minimum 10-year warranty on core qualities?
Circularity: Is the mattress designed for disassembly and recycling?
Certification: Which independent sustainability certifications does the product carry?
Material origin: What is the geographical and ecological origin of the materials?
Take-back program: Does the manufacturer offer a responsible end-of-life disposal option?
Repairability: Can parts be replaced or repaired?
Chemical safety: Is the mattress free from harmful substances and unnecessarily treated with chemicals?

Granulaat van een gerecycled duurzaam matras

This is the sustainability checklist

Lifetime guarantee: Does the manufacturer offer a minimum 10-year warranty on core qualities?
Circularity: Is the mattress designed for disassembly and recycling?
Certification: Which independent sustainability certifications does the product carry?
Material origin: What is the geographical and ecological origin of the materials?
Take-back program: Does the manufacturer offer a responsible end-of-life disposal option?
Repairability: Can parts be replaced or repaired?
Chemical safety: Is the mattress free from harmful substances and unnecessarily treated with chemicals?

Frequently asked questions about sustainable mattresses

What is the lifespan of a sustainable mattress?

A truly sustainable mattress lasts an average of 10 to 15 years—longer than most traditional mattresses. This is thanks to sturdy materials, a simple yet well-thought-out construction, and the ability to replace or repair parts. A mattress designed to last longer, not just be thrown out.

What does a modular mattress mean?

A modular mattress is constructed from individual components that can be replaced, washed, or recycled. Think of interchangeable layers, a zip-off cover, or a core that separates from the top layer. At Ubed, none of the components are glued together, making this possible.

What is the difference between a circular and recyclable mattress?

A recyclable mattress often means that the components are reused, but not for the same purpose. It then becomes less valuable than before. A common example is the processing of old foam into judo mats or insulation material. A circular mattress is specifically designed to be manufactured to the same value: each component has a second life, without waste. Circular is therefore the next step – from less waste to zero waste.

Geschreven door Wouter Simons, Matrasexpert

Wouter is oprichter van Ubed en heeft al meer dan 5 jaar ervaring met het ontwikkelen en testen van matrassen met verschillende materialen. Daarnaast geeft hij online en op locatie advies over matraskeuzes.

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