Green Mattress Solutions for the Home

Ready to incorporate more green solutions into your home? From green lighting to energy efficient appliances, there's no shortage of ways to incorporate green living into the home. Another way is to use a non-toxic mattress that's made of organic materials. We recently had the chance to speak with Jay Decker, the co-founder of Avocado Green Mattress, a brand that doesn't use polyurethane foams, memory foams, chemical flame retardants, or chemical adhesives. Read on to learn more about this green solution.

How did the idea for Avocado Green Mattress come about?

It was rather serendipitous. Our founding team is comprised of individuals with diverse industry backgrounds, from design and fashion to manufacturing and technology. Having worked together previously, we were actively exploring new opportunities to apply our collective skill set while giving back to the community. As fate would have it, two of our soon-to-be founders were researching crib mattresses for their growing family. They were inquisitive about what happens behind-the-scenes, how things were made, and what they uncovered was disconcerting.

Although not altogether unsurprising, we found that by and large the materials used were far from natural or organic. These materials, such as petroleum-based polyurethane foams, chemical adhesives and flame-retardants, can emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that compromise the air quality in our homes before ultimately polluting a landfill. In fact, nearly 30 million mattresses are dumped in a landfill annually in the US alone. The entire lifecycle needs to change.

As conscious consumers, we think carefully about the foods we eat, the cars we drive and the clothes we wear. But how often do we pause to consider what lurks within the confines of our own beds? Let alone the long-term repercussions of such purchases. It was a case of 20/20 hindsight that revealed a clear and urgent need for natural, low-impact alternatives at an affordable price point.

What is eco-friendly luxury?

We believe a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to compromise individual health or the health of our planet. Our goal is to provide affordable – yet of the utmost quality – products that promote overall wellbeing and health.

Tell us more about how your mattresses are made?

Avocado Green Mattresses are handmade-to-order in our Los Angeles factory. Each is made from a combination of high-quality eco-friendly and natural materials – including 100% natural latex (tapped from sustainably harvested trees in Asia), GOTS certified organic cotton, and New Zealand wool. They also feature a recycled steel innerspring unit for pressure-point relief and support. They’re Greenguard Gold certified, which means they’ve been tested to meet some of the most rigorous standards out there for chemical exposure.

Beyond the green benefits, how else are you different to a typical mattress?

We started Avocado Green Mattress on the premise of safety, accessibility and transparency. We were confident that we could inspire change by remaining true to our values and environmental mission – and we were right! To date, we’ve been fortunate to share our vision with like-minded partners and thousands of enthusiastic customers. We are truly humbled to be rated the number one mattress across all categories of 2018 by Consumer Reports. We strive for an unparalleled customer experience in all ways – from the initial purchase to our 25-year warranty.

What do you do to give back?

We’re members of 1% for the Planet, which means we donate 1% of all revenues back to environmental non-profits. Each month our company votes on a new giving partner to support, and we’re proud to begin to be able to share the difference these donations are making with our customers – whether it’s planting 48,250 trees with the Arbor Day Foundation or helping to preserve access to 240 climbing areas with Access Fund.

What advice would you give if someone was interested in a green mattress but unsure which one to get?

Be an informed consumer. Ask questions about the materials they are using and how their mattresses are made. We also have an entire buyer’s guide on our website for more information.