What is the difference between eco-friendly and sustainable?
Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Eco-friendly is whether a certain product/action affects the environment in a negative way at the time of production/activity.
Why is sustainability important?
Sustainability is important because it means that we can produce products without having a negatively effecting the environment or people living in it. Our consumption of unsustainable materials is at an all time high, so we need to work together with global, and local businesses to push towards a less wasteful society with fair treatment of employees. You can learn more sustainability development on the WWF website.
How do I become more sustainable?
One of the easiest ways to become more sustainable is by keeping an eye on what you are buying. Simple things like bringing a re-useable bag to the shops with you when shopping makes a massive difference. You can make your home more sustainable by making small, but effective changes to your morning routine. Bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets are a cheap and easy way to reduce your plastic usage in the morning! Recycled toilet paper is a great addition to your bathroom (especially with the pattern paper they come wrapped in!). WGAC toilet paper donate 50% of their profit to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world. However, the most exciting way (for me, at least) to be more sustainable, is sustainable bedding and eco-friendly textiles.
Which bedding is eco-friendly and sustainable?
There are a few materials which are considered to be eco-friendly, but I won’t bore you with the entire list. Instead, we will focus on recycled fabrics, bamboo, BCI cotton and linen.
What material is most sustainable?
There is no “most sustainable” when it comes to textiles due to the wide range of methods used to produce each fabric. Linen tends to come up when people are discussing which is the most sustainable. However, linen is expensive and hard to look after. If you even glance at a linen bed sheet, it wrinkles. Linen is great if you have a lot spare income and spare time (and having both is rare!). I prefer looking at the recycled side of textiles. I love the idea of repurposing things which would have otherwise gone to landfill. You can have varying degrees of recycled products: from 100% recycled wool throws to 50% recycled polyester duvet cover sets. Check out these eco-friendly duvet covers for children below!
Bamboo and BCI bedding
If you’re not a fan of recycled textiles, don’t worry, I have got you covered. Bamboo bedding is and BCI cotton are two sustainable bedding types. They are produced using new plants without negatively affecting the environment. Bamboo is sustainable due to its quick growth, and that it can regrow from its own roots when harvested; it can make a whole host of sustainable products: from toothbrushes to bedding! BCI cotton is cotton processed under the Better Cotton Initiative which strives to product cotton in a way that is better for the workers, their communities and the environment.
Which bedding is best for me?
There is no one bedding fits all, but if you do your research and find a bedding that suits your style and helps the environment, you’re already winning in my books. Keep an eye out for further blogs about sustainable bedding and let me know if you have any questions or need help finding the perfect sustainable gift for someone!
