Quick Key Facts
- The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the surface of the planet.
- The deep sea makes up 90 percent of the total marine environment and is the largest biome on Earth.
- More than 5,000 marine species live in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a focus area of deep-sea mining.
- Several countries — including Canada, France and New Zealand — have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
- Deep-sea mining is not necessary to obtain the critical minerals needed for the renewable energy transition.
- Demand for critical minerals can be reduced by 58 percent by 2050 through the use of new technologies, circular economy strategies and increased recycling.
- 90% of electronic waste is dumped or illegally traded.
What Is ‘Deep-Sea Mining’?
Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the ocean floor using destructive methods such as dredging, drilling and hydraulic pumps. These methods disrupt and harm marine life and their ecosystems.
The seabed is a largely unexplored world of unidentified species and mystery. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone — a 1.7 million square mile area of the Pacific Ocean — is a focal point of deep-sea mining for its polymetallic nodules rich in minerals such as copper, nickel, manganese, cobalt, rare earth elements and other precious metals used in the making of zero-carbon technology components. This abundant expanse is the subject of 17 exploration contracts with a total area of roughly 621,371 square miles — approximately the size of Ethiopia. But it is also home to more than 5,000 recently discovered marine species.
The sought-after nodules embedded in the ocean floor are about the size of a potato and take millions of years to form, along with mineral-rich crusts and sulfides surrounding hydrothermal vents. Due to recent technological advancements, mining these ecologically sensitive areas is achievable by razing the surface of the seabed, sweeping away layers of biodiverse sediment and pumping displaced and often destroyed organic materials back into the water.
Brief History of Deep-Sea Mining
Some small-scale exploratory mining has already taken place to test deep-sea mining equipment, but no commercial mining of the seabed has yet occurred. However, some mining companies and national governments have plans to start doing so as soon as they can — possibly in the next few years. Whether that happens or not will mostly depend on how the International Seabed Authority (ISA) chooses to regulate deep-sea mining.
In 2021, Nauru — a tiny Pacific Island nation in Micronesia — gave the ISA notice that it planned to start mining in international waters. This triggered the “two-year rule,” a controversial provision of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The rule mandates that the ISA must “consider” and “provisionally approve” deep-sea mining applications, whether or not there has been a finalized set of regulations.
The two years was completed for the Nauru application in July of 2023, but the ISA meeting that followed concluded without a final rule being agreed upon. The 168-member ISA Assembly has been working on establishing the rules for deep-sea mining. ISA’s Council — made up of 36 Assembly-elected members — has a goal of adopting finalized regulations by 2025.
As of July of last year, several nations — including Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Palau and New Zealand — had called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, before regulations are adopted, the ISA must address how the impacts of mining will be monitored and addressed, what level of harm is allowed and how compliance with the regulations will be enforced.
Currently, contractors like corporations or individuals are only permitted to extract seabed minerals if they are sponsored by a UNCLOS state party and have obtained an exploitation contract from the ISA.
Contractors are required to use best environmental practices and a precautionary approach in order to control or prevent hazards like pollution of the marine environment. In addition, they must develop programs for evaluating and monitoring impacts in conjunction with the ISA. Consultation between stakeholders is also mandated at crucial junctures of the exploration stage — a period that can take years.
While they wait for an international waters code of conduct, countries can still proceed with mining projects inside domestically controlled waters, or “exclusive economic zones” (EEZs).
In January of 2024, Norway started the process of opening its waters to deep-sea mining exploration, which would likely begin in the 2030s.
Most mineral deposits that are sought after by mining operations are located outside EEZs on the vast abyssal plains of international waters, such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
Arguments for Deep-Sea Mining
Those in favor of deep-sea mining say it will help meet the growing need for critical minerals used in the global decarbonization process. As we rely more on solar and wind energy, electric vehicles and other green technologies, the demand for some of these minerals could increase by four to six times. However, studies have shown that there are plenty of land-based sources for critical minerals.
Some proponents of deep-sea mining view it as a way to avoid some of the environmental hazards of mining on land, like pollution of freshwater by mining runoff and deforestation. But the destruction of marine life and ecosystems wrought by deep-sea mining means it would not be a better alternative for biodiversity or the planet.
Threats Posed by Deep-Sea Mining
Harms Marine Life and Ecosystems
The largest biome on the planet — 90 percent of the total marine environment — the deep sea is home to vast biodiversity that is being threatened by deep-sea mining. It is highly likely that the heavy equipment used to mine the seabed would kill less mobile deep-sea creatures.
Many deep-sea species make their homes in the polymetallic nodules that are the harvest of deep-sea mining operations. The nodules develop over millions of years, so the recovery of the ecosystems they support would be extremely slow if possible at all. The removal and destruction of these important habitats would almost surely result in the extinction of some species.
Releases Stored Carbon
Not only is the ocean floor home to an unknown wealth of species, it plays an essential role in the regulation of our planetary systems by absorbing and storing enormous amounts of the carbon dioxide humans emit through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial enterprises, agriculture and other activities.
Approximately 25 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans is absorbed and sequestered by the ocean’s deep-sea microscopic organisms. The ocean is Earth’s biggest carbon sink, storing approximately 38,000 gigatons of the greenhouse gas.
Mining the seafloor can cause the release of carbon sequestered in sediments and reduce deep-sea biodiversity, impacting the ocean’s carbon cycle and exacerbating the climate crisis.
For each kilometer of the seabed that is mined annually, 190.2 tons of carbon could be released through sediment plumes. These plumes can block sunlight, reducing the photosynthetic abilities of marine organisms who help mitigate temperature increases worldwide by absorbing carbon for energy.
Releases Toxic Sediment Plumes
There are many detrimental impacts to marine life and ecosystems by the release of sediment plumes during the deep-sea mining process. Among the most direct and devastating is that the plumes can suffocate and smother organisms who make their home on the seafloor. Some of these creatures are not as mobile and may be killed by the mining equipment itself.
Clouds of sediment have the potential to choke midwater marine ecosystems. The plumes can interfere with the reproduction and feeding of species through the introduction of heavy metals like cadmium and copper into the natural food chain. These metals can also be released in toxic concentrations when seafloor sediments are disturbed, polluting the water column. The metals can have deadly effects on filter feeders and organisms who are unable to move freely, like sessile suspension fauna.
The discharge of mining wastewater can also create underwater dust storms that pollute and confuse marine organisms, preventing them from navigating through the water, feeding and reproducing.
Light Pollution
Marine organisms are used to an environment that is quiet, dark and peaceful. In addition to the direct harm caused by the process of mining the ocean floor, longer ecosystem and species disruptions can result from mining activities, such as light pollution interfering with reproduction and feeding.
Noise Pollution
Sound pollution from deep-sea mining can impact large whales, narwhals, dolphins and other marine mammals who rely on echolocation — or biological sonar — to hunt, navigate and locate one another. These species are already threatened by human activities like fishing and boating, as well as human-caused climate change.
Leaves Behind Waste Materials That Poison Marine Life and Impact Fisheries and Food Security
Mining wastewater is warm and filled with chemicals, which can kill marine animals by overheating and suffocating them. The chemicals also pollute the ocean floor and water column, making the seawater toxic, as well as altering its pH and oxygen content, all of which are harmful to marine life.
Waste discharge can diffuse across large distances, posing a threat to fish and invertebrates who live in the open ocean. These marine species are essential to the fisheries and economies of small island developing nations like Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati.
Economic and Social Risks of Deep-Sea Mining
Deep-sea mining is conducted offshore in the depths of the ocean, but the industry would still need to build facilities onshore to process and ship materials. This would require the acquisition and development of land, which leads to habitat loss and impacts on coastal communities who rely on marine resources for their food and livelihoods.
Minerals extracted from the high seas have been designated by the UN as “the common heritage of [hu]mankind” for the benefit of all nations. However, the current ISA regulatory regime seems to support the flow of profits to mining company shareholders and developed nations, instead of to developing countries.
Why Deep-Sea Mining Is Not Necessary for Renewable Energy
Deep-sea mining is not necessary to obtain the critical minerals needed for zero-carbon technologies. In order to supply the rare earth elements needed to meet the demands of the growing renewable energy sector, mining and processing of land-based mineral reserves must be increased responsibly to minimize negative environmental and social impacts.
In the coming 15 to 20 years, recycling of minerals will hopefully become a feasible alternative to mining. According to World Bank estimates, the significant increase of end-of-life battery recycling rates by mid-century could reduce the necessity of newly mined minerals by roughly 25 percent for nickel, lithium and copper, and approximately 15 percent for cobalt. Unfortunately, there will not be an adequate supply of these minerals circulating for recycling to be a workable approach by 2030.
Improved recycling methods in established channels — electrical and electronics, for instance — could lessen some of the shorter-term pressure on supply while preparing a secondary supply chain to tackle future end-of-life carbon-neutral energy products.
Research is also being done on obtaining critical minerals from hard rock mine tailings and coal waste, rather than mining undisturbed land.
The evolution of battery technologies may also make mineral deposits found in the deep seabed obsolete for renewable products. An example is the shift from those that use nickel manganese oxides toward lithium iron phosphate batteries. While the nodules that are the focus of deep-sea mining operations are rich in cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese and rare earth elements, they do not contain an abundance of lithium and iron.
Sodium-ion batteries could also change the EV battery market, replacing cobalt and lithium with alternatives that are more abundant and less expensive.
What We Can Do to Help Stop Deep-Sea Mining
Apply the ‘Three Rs’ to Electronic Products
The more we do to ensure mining for minerals is avoided, the better it will be for the environment. One of the best ways to do this is to apply the “three Rs” — reducing, reusing and recycling — to batteries, cell phones, computers and even renewable energy products like solar panels.
Choose Sustainable Alternatives
A shift away from traditional lithium-ion and nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries to those made with lithium iron phosphate, which do not need cobalt or nickel — raw materials sought through deep-sea mining — could help lessen the pressure to find as many critical minerals.
Other alternatives being developed include sodium-ion batteries — a more abundant and less expensive choice — which could replace cobalt and lithium.
Do Away With Electronic Waste
The vast majority of electronic waste — 90 percent — is dumped or illegally traded. More copper and cobalt is discarded each year in e-waste than could be supplied by deep-sea mining in the central Pacific Ocean for a decade.
To cut down on e-waste, we can encourage governments to pass “right to repair” legislation, as they have in Portland, Oregon. These laws ban disposable electronics, make fixing products easier and develop standards for helping consumers identify longer-lasting products.
Reduce Overconsumption
One of the best ways to reduce electronic waste is to not buy electronics you don’t really need in the first place. When you do decide to spring for a new electronic device, donate or sell your old one online or bring it to a local electronic collection center.
Another way to reduce overconsumption and e-waste is to buy quality products that will last and won’t need to be replaced quickly. You can also purchase gadgets with repair services and extended warranties. It’s always a good idea to check a product’s lifespan before purchasing it.
Avoid electronics that are trendy and will go out of style. Some products will try and tempt you with the latest upgrade when it really isn’t that different from earlier models. Avoiding the urge to stay “up to date” can mean creating a lot less e-waste. You can also support companies that use sustainable manufacturing practices.
Build a Circular Economy
A 2022 report by SINTEF found that we can reduce critical mineral demand by 58 percent by 2050 by using circular economic strategies, new technologies and increased recycling.
One option is to use the minerals we already have access to through urban mining. Another is to develop improved designs and technologies so that we can recover minerals from products that are no longer being used.
Takeaway
There are many environmental reasons not to pursue deep-sea mining — its impacts on marine animals and the environment, as well as its ecological implications.
As we stand on the cusp of a full transition away from fossil fuels to a world powered by green energy and a circular economy, it is essential that we focus our energies on sourcing minerals in a way that doesn’t decimate habitats and ecosystems. To do this, we must prioritize increased critical minerals recycling, ethical land-based mining practices and improved product designs so that they can be used and reused longer without needing to be replaced, thereby reducing demand for these elements.
The post Deep-Sea Mining 101: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/deep-sea-mining-facts-ecowatch.html
A durable set of eco-friendly dinnerware is a solid ingredient for a sustainably set table! But…
What is Sustainable Dinnerware?
Well looking for secondhand and vintage dinnerware is always a good start, whether that’s your grandmother’s porcelain dining sets or a pre-loved set of colorful plates and bowls at your local thrift store.
Another great place to look is estate sales. You can likely find full sets of dinnerware! If none of those options are available to you (or your just not finding something you love) you can check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.
*Important note on secondhand dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So you might want to avoid any dinnerware produced before 1971, unless it’s just for display!
Here are some qualities to look for when shopping for new sustainable dinnerware:
Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass.
Quality: when it comes to products you’re going to potentially use and wash daily, durability is an important factor to keep in mind. Also consider your lifestyle! Perhaps glass and porcelain aren’t the best choices if you have little ones, or you tend to drop things often. (Guilty!!)
Usefulness: You might also want to consider if you will be hand-washing or dishwashing your dinnerware. Some materials are too fragile for the dishwasher, so consider if you’ll have the time (and willingness) to hand wash them all the time. Because part of sustainability is that you’ll actually use the products and they won’t just sit and collect dust!
Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made and fair trade. In any case, an ethical dinnerware brand would prioritize fair living wages for the workers, ensure safe healthy conditions (this includes no toxic chemicals used in production!) and go above and beyond to consider the wellbeing of the people who work for them and/or produce their products.
Ownership and Equity: this means looking at who owns and profits from the brands we’re supporting; if a brand is owned by a person of color, it will be indicated in their description below (BIPOC-owned stands for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned and WOC-owned stands for Woman of Color-owned).
Your Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation. Or perhaps it’s really important to you that a brand is giving back to their local community.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware
The eco-friendly tableware and sustainable dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet several) of the above criteria.
In this roundup, you’ll find sustainable pottery (including ceramic plates, sustainable mugs, and more), recycled glassware, artisan-made ethical dinnerware, and everything in between to suit your needs. I hope that this variety of brands will help you set the table, whether that’s for fancy dinner parties, Friday night pizza, or something in between.
This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Zungleboo
Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!
Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe, making them easy to care for no matter how busy mealtime is. As Zungleboo writes on their website, their sustainable dinnerware is “from real plants, for real life”.
Categories: Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!
2. Our Place
From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware and sustainable pottery.
Our Place has hand-painted main plates and side bowls made with recycled and virgin porcelain ceramic and dinner glasses handmade from recycled glass and colored with natural dyes.
Categories: Glassware, Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
3. Fable
Prioritizing timelessness and sustainability, Fable sources quality materials and simple designs that last the test of time.
The eco-minded dinnerware company partners with makers in Portugal, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US that use conscious practices, like ethical employment, craftsmanship, and low-waste practices (like sourcing recycled clay).
Categories: Dinnerware, Drinkware, Cutlery, Serveware, and Decor
Conscious Qualities: Quality Craftsmanship, Low Waste Practices, Responsibly Sourced
Price Range: $$$
4. East Fork
East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.
Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,
Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production
Price Range: $$$$
5. Urban Natural
Green home retailer Urban Natural has stunning eco-friendly tabletop goods from leading contemporary brands like Farmhouse Pottery and Ethnicraft.
The brands Urban Natural curates source natural materials, use time-honored processes, and take quality craftsmanship seriously.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups & Mugs, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Artisan Goods, Natural Materials, Locally and Ethically Made
Price Range: $$ – $$$
6. GOODEE
For artisanal plates that can elevate your tablescape, GOODEE is the answer.
From 100% porcelain stone ceramic plates hand-crafted in the ancient Japanese town of Arita and hand-painted plates made from Egyptian clay to marble patterned ecothylene® (upcycled BPA-free plastic) plates ideal for family-friendly daily wares, GOODEE has options for everyone.
Categories: Plates, Glassware, Cups & Mugs, Serving, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation
Price Range: $$$
7. Ekobo
Ekobo’s colorful eco-friendly dinnerware is available in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique sustainable table setting for any space.
The eco-friendly dinnerware from Ekobo is made from upcycled bamboo and the result is durable, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic diningware.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Trays, Baby Diningware
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials
Price Range: $$
More Guides For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen:
Best Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths
Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide
The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options
The post 7 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Table Sustainably appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
7 Ethical & Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Table Sustainably
Everyone wants to get a good night’s sleep, but conventional mattresses can often be full of questionable chemicals and synthetic materials — that you’ll be exposed to for one third of your day, every single day.
What Makes a Mattress Sustainable?
The materials matter most. A mattress made from certified organic cotton, wool, and natural latex is a fundamentally different product than one made from conventional foam and synthetic fibers.
Beyond materials, look for real transparency: does the company disclose exactly what they use, and where and how it’s manufactured? Vague claims like “eco-friendly” or “sustainably made” with no specifics are a red flag, not a green one.
Local, in-house manufacturing is also worth weighing, because a brand that owns its own factory (rather than outsourcing to an unnamed third party) generally has more direct visibility into its own labor and material sourcing, and more accountability if something’s wrong.
Mattress Materials to Look For (and Materials to Avoid)
Sustainable mattresses will be made from natural, non-toxic, and sustainably sourced materials, ideally backed by real certifications, not just marketing language.
Some eco-friendly materials to look out for:
- GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
- Sustainably sourced wool
- Natural Dunlop or Talalay Latex, ideally GOLS certified
- Non-toxic, water-based adhesives
The materials to be most cautious of are conventional polyurethane foam, plastics, and added chemical flame retardants — these are where the biggest health and environmental concerns tend to concentrate. That said, not all synthetic materials are equal: a foam that’s independently tested and certified (like CertiPUR-US®) can be a reasonably safer choice than an untested one, even if it’s not our top recommendation compared to natural latex. I’ll flag where a brand in this guide uses tested synthetic materials so you can weigh that tradeoff yourself.
Eco-Friendly Mattress Certifications to Know
Certifications add a layer of third-party accountability to a brand’s claims. Though none are perfect on their own, so it’s key to know what each one actually covers!
- GOTS Certified = the fabric (like the organic cotton cover) meets strict organic and safety standards, with labor protections built into the entire supply chain. This is the most rigorous certification for organic textiles specifically — but it’s fabric-specific, not a claim about the foam or latex inside.
- GOLS Certified = verifies that latex is made from certified organic latex, grown and processed to strict environmental and safety standards. A latex-specific certification, not a wood, fabric, or foam guarantee.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold) = evaluates a product across material health, circularity, clean air/climate, water/soil stewardship, and social fairness — one of the few certifications that can assess a whole mattress rather than a single material.
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs — the stricter tier of GREENGUARD certification.
- eco-INSTITUT Certified = a German certification measuring a material’s chemical emissions and verifying responsible sourcing — similar in spirit to GREENGUARD, but based in the EU.
- MADE SAFE® = screens against a list of thousands of chemicals known or suspected to harm human health. One of the more comprehensive certifications available, assessed at the product level.
- Rainforest Alliance Certified = verifies a product was produced in a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible way, particularly regarding forests and climate — commonly seen on natural latex specifically, since it’s often applied to rubber tree sourcing.
- OEKO-TEX® = tests the finished textile for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX offers several distinct certification tiers (STANDARD 100 being the most common), so it’s worth checking which specific OEKO-TEX label a brand holds.
- FSC Certified = wood-based materials (like a bed frame or wood mattress components) came from responsibly managed forests. Not a chemical-safety or textile certification.
- Fair Trade Certified = verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices — a certification about how a product was made and by whom, not about the materials themselves.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Mattresses
[Looking for bed frames too? Check out this guide.]
Note that some of the brands below are affiliates, meaning we’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. As always, all brands meet rigorous criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Savvy Rest
Best for fully customizable organic mattresses (even side-by-side for couples)
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: GOTS-certified organic company and factories; organic wool, natural USDA- and GOLS- certified Dunlop or Cradle to Cradle Gold-certified Talalay latex and organic cotton
Price: $1199-$4799
One of the more standout features of Savvy Rest is their ability to customize your mattress to fit your needs. If you’re a couple, they can even customize each side. This B Corp also designs non-toxic furniture, including bed frames to complete your bedroom set.
*Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off at Savvy Rest!*
2. Avocado
Best for organic mattresses with nearly every possible certification
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: Climate-neutral; No chemical retardants; Eco-Institut certified, sustainably-sourced Dunlop latex, GOTS-certified cotton and wool from their own sheep herd; Handcrafted in their own local GOTS-certified factories; Fair Trade, Greenguard Gold and Made Safe, and B-Corp certified
Price: $279-$3,339
Avocado is leading the way in sustainability efforts as far as mattress brands go. They offer a variety of eco-friendly mattresses to choose from depending on your needs, as well as crib mattresses and various household goods. They also have a 1-year trial to ensure you have ample opportunity to try their sustainable mattresses out before you commit.
3. My Green Mattress
Best for a full family lineup, crib to child and basic to luxury adult mattresses
Based In: US | Made In: US (Willowbrook, IL)
Conscious Qualities: GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton & Wool, GOLS-Certified Organic Latex, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, MADE SAFE® Certified
Price: $399 (Crib) – $2,399 (Cal King)
My Green Mattress handcrafts their entire lineup — crib, kids, and two adult tiers — in their own Illinois factory.
Their Natural Escape is the most luxurious pick, with extra latex cushioning for a plusher feel, while the Kiwi Organic Mattress offers that same organic cotton, wool, and latex construction in their standard everyday option. For kids, the Pure Eco Organic Kids Mattress is a lower-profile design made to fit bunk beds and trundle beds, and for babies, the Emily Organic Crib Mattress takes a firmer, simpler approach suited to safe infant sleep. All four come with a 365-night trial.
4. PlushBeds
Best for highly customizable non-toxic mattresses
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: USDA-certified organic cotton, wool, and latex; GOTS organic cotton and wool; OEKO-TEX certified latex; FSC- Control Union- and Greenguard certified; ethical in-house production; sources ethically harvested materials
Price: $300-$2000
Plushbeds has almost every certification one could want in a sustainable mattress company. They have been making handcrafted mattresses for over a decade in GOTS and GOLS-certified factories. One notable initiative from Plushbeds is that they also provide annual scholarships to students working in environmental fields.
5. Spindle
Best for an affordable, family-run organic option
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: family-run company, OEKO-TEX certified organic Dunlop latex, organic cotton, organic wool; no chemical fire retardants, rubber, or VOCS; donates 10% of proceeds to environmental organizations
Price: $1500-$1800
Spindle is a fourth-generation family-run company that deeply values their customers. Thanks to their direct-to-consumer model, they can offer high-quality sustainable mattresses at a competitive price. Like many of these companies, they offer a 365-day trial and a 10-year warranty. Spindle also donates one mattress per every 10 mattresses sold.
6. Medley
Best for a simple, no-frills organic latex mattress
Based In: US | Made In: US (Illinois)
Conscious Qualities: GOLS-Certified Organic Latex, Organic Cotton Cover, Natural Wool Barrier, 20-Year Warranty
Price: $1,895 – $3,495
Medley’s mattress keeps things simple: a single, GOLS-certified organic latex core (a minimum of 95% certified organic raw material, per GOLS’ standard) wrapped in a natural wool barrier and a quilted organic cotton cover handcrafted in an Illinois factory. The perfect addition to the furniture company’s non-toxic beds.
7. Saatva
Best for a luxury innerspring feel (not a fully organic build)
Based In: US | Made In: US (New Jersey, plus a nationwide factory network)
Conscious Qualities: CertiPUR-US® Certified Foam, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified Bedding, Recycled Steel Coils, No Fiberglass or Chemical Flame Retardants, Solar-Powered Factory
Price: Saatva Classic starts at $2,729 (Queen; varies by size)
Saatva’s best-selling Classic Mattress is a luxury innerspring, not an all-organic build — worth knowing upfront if you’re comparing it to the fully GOTS/GOLS-certified options elsewhere in this guide. Its cover uses organic cotton, and rather than fiberglass or chemical flame retardants, Saatva uses a natural plant-based thistle pulp and organic wool flame barrier. The coils are made from recycled, triple-tempered steel, and the base panels use REPREVE® recycled polyester (removing the equivalent of four plastic bottles per Queen mattress made).
Where Saatva differs most from the rest of this guide: their foam is CertiPUR-US® certified rather than natural latex — a meaningful synthetic-foam certification (tested for VOCs, flame retardants, heavy metals), but not the same as the GOLS-certified organic latex used by brands like Medley or My Green Mattress. Saatva does offer a separate GREENGUARD Gold and eco-INSTITUT certified natural latex mattress line for shoppers who want a fully natural core, so it’s worth specifying which Saatva mattress you’re looking at rather than assuming the flagship Classic and the natural latex line share the same materials.
Saatva also operates a solar-powered New Jersey factory, plants trees through a partnership with Evertreen (23,000 to date), and is an early member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
8. Birch
Best for affordable organic mattresses
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade certified factory; sustainable supply chain; GOTS-certified organic cotton, organic birch wool, 100% natural Talalay latex; free of chemical fire retardants
Price: $1299-$2899
Birch handcrafts mattresses locally in the US from a variety of sustainable materials, with ergonomic pressure relief technology. They sell online and at numerous storefronts nationally. Their 100-day trial period and 25-year warranty take the risk out of trying these eco-friendly mattresses.
9. Naturepedic
Best for organic mattresses across every age, from baby to adult
Based In: US | Made In: US
Conscious Qualities: GOTS-certified cotton and wool, GOLS-certified latex; manufactures in their own factories in the US; Greenguard Gold, Rainforest Alliance, Made Safe, and FSC-certified; family-run company; 1% For The Planet member
Price: $259-$4799
Naturepedic designs wonderful organic mattresses for the whole family, from adult to baby size. Operating since 2003, this family-run company takes extra steps to produce toxic-chemical-free, luxury mattresses. They also sell online and in a variety of storefronts across the US.
10. Essentia
Best for a fully vegan, natural memory foam mattress
Based In: Canada | Made In: Canada
Conscious Qualities: 100% vegan, made in a certified organic factory, GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex, GOTS-certified organic cotton; only natural memory foam mattress
Price: $649-$8790
Essentia offers four different eco-friendly collections tailored to your needs. Whether it’s spinal support, deeper sleep, or a custom design you’re after, Essentia likely has what you’re looking for. Each organic mattress is handcrafted in their GOTS and GOLS certified factory and comes with a 120-night trial.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Your Ultimate Guide to Organic & Non-Toxic Bedding (15+ Brands!)
Eco-Friendly Bed Frames for a Sweet Sustainable Slumber
The Best Sustainable Furniture Brands To Complete Your Space
The post 10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Mattress Options for a Safer Sleep appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Mattress Options for a Safer Sleep
People are particular about their pillows — just like our mattress, a good pillow determines whether or not we have a great night’s sleep. Unfortunately, many pillows are made with synthetic materials and toxic finishes. Thankfully, there are a number of brands creating non-toxic and eco-friendly pillows that you can feel better about, and sleep better with.
Whether you’re looking for a travel pillow, body pillow, or sleep pillow, one of the eco-friendly pillow brands below is bound to have what you’re looking for.
What Goes Into a Sustainable & Non-Toxic Pillow?
When deciding if a pillow is sustainable, transparency is key. In general, if sourcing, materials, or production methods are unclear, the company is most likely not a sustainable one.
A sustainable pillow will be made from eco-friendly, non-toxic materials. This means no harmful chemicals or synthetic materials. The materials used will be sustainable and responsibly sourced, such as organic cotton and natural dye.
Sustainable pillows, and brands, will most likely have one or more of the certifications listed below. These certifications verify that the materials and production methods a company is using comply with trusted global standards.
Additionally, sustainable pillow companies will produce their products in a way that doesn’t involve exploitative labor. They will implement production methods that are eco-friendly and ethical – benefitting both their workers and the planet.
Non-Toxic Pillow Materials to Look for — and Materials to Avoid
These are the kinds of materials to look for for sustainable non-toxic pillows:
- GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Sustainably sourced organic kapok fiber
- GOLS organic certified latex
- Responsibly sourced or organic certified wool
- TENCEL Lyocell
- Hemp
- Buckwheat hulls
These are the materials we’d avoid.
- Synthetic polyurethane foam or memory foam
- Synthetic latex
- Polyester
Certifications for Eco-Friendly Pillows
Certifications add a layer of third-party accountability to a brand’s claims — though none of them are perfect on their own, so it’s worth knowing what each one actually covers.
- GOTS Certified = the fabric (like an organic cotton pillowcase) meets strict organic and safety standards, with labor protections built into the entire supply chain. This is the most rigorous certification for organic textiles specifically.
- GOLS Certified = verifies that latex filling is made from certified organic latex, grown and processed to strict environmental and safety standards. A latex-specific certification.
- USDA Organic = confirms that a grown material (like cotton or wool) was produced without synthetic pesticides or GMOs. This is a raw-material certification, not a finished-product one and it doesn’t cover dyes, fillers, or manufacturing chemicals added afterward.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 = tests the finished textile for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX actually offers several distinct certification tiers (STANDARD 100 being the most common), so it’s worth checking which specific OEKO-TEX label a brand holds rather than assuming they’re all equivalent.
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs. This is the stricter tier of GREENGUARD certification.
- eco-INSTITUT Certified = a German certification measuring a material’s chemical emissions and verifying responsible sourcing — similar in spirit to GREENGUARD, but based in the EU.
- MADE SAFE® = screens against a list of thousands of chemicals known or suspected to harm human health. One of the more comprehensive certifications available, assessed at the product level.
- FSC Certified = wood or paper-based materials (like packaging or textiles like viscose) came from responsibly managed forests. Not a chemical-safety certification.
- Fair Trade Certified = verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices. This is a certification about how a product was made and by whom, not about the materials themselves.
- FLOCERT = the certifying body behind Fairtrade International’s certification — a different organization from Fair Trade USA (which issues “Fair Trade Certified”). Both cover similar ground (fair wages, ethical labor, transparent supply chains), but they’re separate certifying bodies with their own standards, so don’t assume a “FLO-Cert” claim and a “Fair Trade Certified” claim mean the exact same thing.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Pillows
Note that some of the brands below are affiliates, meaning we’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. As always, all brands meet rigorous criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Circadian
Tested by CL&S Editor, Elizabeth
Sustainable Materials: Organic cotton, organic wool, USA-grown buckwheat, Dunlop latex, Kapok fibers
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Price: $89 – $269
Crafted in their own New Jersey workshop for over four decades, Circadian knows organic pillows. And with six distinct natural pillow options, Circadian’s range fulfills most sleeping needs, whether you’re a side sleeper or back sleeper and whether you sleep hot or wake up with neck pain.
I’ve been having neck pain for months — even going to physical therapy for it — and the buckwheat pillow has been one of the most helpful things I’ve tried to alleviate neck pain. I tried memory foam, I tried a side sleeper pillow, but the firmness of the buckwheat has been the trick for me.
2. Avocado
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: No chemical retardants; organic GOTS-certified cotton and kapok fiber, GOLS organic certified latex
Price: $25-$199
Avocado is one of the leading brands for eco-friendly pillows. They are a climate neutral B-corp that sources their materials from their own Fair-Trade farms in India and Guatemala. Each pillow is handcrafted in their local GOTS-certified factories.
Plus, Avocado has the trusted certifications you want like Gold Certified vegan, Eco-Institut certified and Made Safe certified.
3. Savvy Rest
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: Organic wool, natural USDA and GOLS-certified Dunlop or Talalay latex, organic cotton, organic kapok fiber, natural dye
Price: $29-$239
*Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off*
Savvy Rest has a large selection of eco-friendly pillows, with eight different styles to choose from, including body and contour pillows. Savvy uses a variety of sustainable materials and even offers customizable filling options.
Savvy Rest is both a B Corp and a GOTS-certified organic company, as are their factories.
4. Coyuchi
Based In: USA | Made In: Sri Lanka
Sustainable Materials: GOLS Certified Organic Latex, GOTS certified Organic Cotton, sustainably sourced Down; reusable cloth bag packaging
Price: $68-$198
Coyuchi is a woman-owned, Made Safe Certified company. They produce four different types of organic latex pillows including a body pillow.
Coyuchi uses Fair-trade certified factories and a circular production process. They are also a 1% for the planet partner.
5. SOL Organics
Based In: US | Made In: India
Sustainable Materials: Certified 100% Organic cotton, 100% Canadian down, non-toxic dyes; pesticide & harmful chemical free, hypoallergenic
Price: $169
SOL Organics is a BIPOC-owned and family-run company. They are passionate about ethical production and only work with FLO, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and Fair-Trade Certified manufacturers.
Responsibly made with care, you can sleep soundly on these sustainable down pillows.
6. Birch
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: GOTS-certified organic cotton, organic birch wool, 100% natural Talalay latex, recycled polyester filling; chemical fire retardant free
Price: $75-$119
Birch offers two different non-toxic pillows. Their organic pillow comes with a 100 night trial and is Greenguard Gold and GOTS Certified.
Their eco-rest pillow is GOTS and Fair Trade certified. Both are handmade in a Fair Trade certified factory.
7. Sleep & Beyond
Based In: USA | Made In: Kyrgyzstan, India, China
Sustainable Materials: 100% natural or organic wool and latex; GOTS, Woolmark and OEKO-TEX Certified
Price: $49-$139
Sleep & Beyond is a BIPOC-owned company that offers nine different types of eco-friendly pillows, including a travel pillow. They have a handy comparison guide so you can easily find the best fit for you.
Sleep & Beyond produces everything in Fair-trade Certified and solar factories using zero waste production.
8. Buffy
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: GRS or RCS certified BPA free Recycled PET filling, Eucalyptus Lyocell, hemp linen; packaging made from FSC certified recycled materials
Price: $49-$99
Buffy is best known for their “cloud-like” comforters but they also have an extensive pillow offering including travel pillows and body pillows.
Buffy is working toward closed loop and zero waste production and offsets their CO2 emissions.
9. Organic Textiles
Based In: USA
Sustainable Materials: 100% natural & organic latex, natural Australian wool, kapok fiber, natural down, GOTS and GOLS certified cotton
Price: $60-$117
Organic Textiles is a great company for finding sustainable pillows from a variety of materials. They even offer extra pillow fillings for a customisable feel.
All of their products are pesticide & toxic chemical free as well as hypoallergenic. Organic Textiles is Green America Approved Certified and uses Fair-Trade manufacturers.
10. Boll & Branch
Based In: USA | Made In: USA, India
Sustainable Materials: OEKO-TEX standard locally and responsibly sourced Down, 100% organic cotton, hypoallergenic synthetic down alternative; recycled packaging
Price: $58-$168
Another great husband and wife owned company is Boll & Branch. They offer harmful chemical free, non-toxic Down and Down alternative pillows.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
15+ Sustainable & Organic Bedding Brands — Sorted by Material
Eco-Friendly Bed Frames for a Sweet Sustainable Slumber
Non-Toxic Mattresses for a Sound & Sustainable Sleep
The post The Top 10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Pillows for a Safer Slumber appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
The Top 10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Pillows for a Safer Slumber
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