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
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim.
Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to crafting beautiful artisan-made rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton, plus performance options made from 100% recycled polyester built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $298 – $8,298
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation, Vintage Options
5. West Elm
Best for: fair trade rugs in on-trend mainstream styles
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
6. Jubi
Best for: Modern rugs in vibrant prints
Categories: Accent Rugs, Circle Rugs, Runners
Jubi is a Brooklyn studio founded by textile designer Cassie Dagostino. Every rug is handmade from New Zealand wool by fourth-generation weaving families in Bhadohi, India using traditional techniques. Each rug is made-to-order, meaning no excess stock. Since everything is made to order, expect between 3 and 7 weeks for your rug, depending on the technique used.
Conscious Qualities: Pays Above Market Rates, 100% Wool, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $228 – $668
Shipping: Free worldwide shipping
7. Rejuvenation
Best for: Classic rug styles made in Fair Trade factories
Categories: Accent Rugs, Runners, Area Rugs
Home retailer Rejuvenation has a selection of rugs made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Their collection includes undyed hand-loomed rugs to geometric flatwoven wool rugs. And while I’d typically avoid synthetics, it tends to be unavoidable for outdoor rugs — so Rejuvenation’s Fair Trade 100% recycled poly rug is a good option.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Mostly Natural Materials
Price Range: $79 – $1,649
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. shipping for 10% of product price (add $20 for HI, AK, and US. territorries)
Liked this guide to ethical rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 5 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.