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Have you been looking for an environmentally friendly bed frame but don`t know where to start? Well fear not as we have done all the research for you to help you make the best decision for you, after all we all love a good nights sleep, right?
In this blog post, we will explore what makes a bed eco-friendly and what the top key elements to consider are. Then once you are on your way to a greener sleeping sanctuary, we will look at 5 of the most eco-friendly bed frame choices.
What
Makes a Bed Eco-Friendly?
Before purchasing a bed, there are a couple of things to consider.
The Sourcing/ Material
Choose
sustainable and renewable sources and never use endangered tropical hardwoods.
If you are
going for a wooden bed, make sure the wood is FSC-certified, as the
Forest Stewardship Council is the most used third-party verification for
sustainably sourced timber.
The Finishes / VOC Free
All the
finishes need to be odourless, and the elements of the bed need to be attached
with zero VOC-rated glue.
A VOC is a
volatile organic compound that is both an environmental and health risk. Most
of the time, plywood, particleboard, or engineered wood is made with glue that
contains formaldehyde, which you guessed is a VOC.
Engineered
woods are inexpensive materials that perform as well as wood. When treated
without toxic chemicals, there is nothing wrong with them. It`s their adhesives
that cause the problem.
The majority
of engineered woods and pressed woods to use adhesives and glues that contain
formaldehyde.
So look for statements such as VOC free or formaldehyde free.
The General Production Practices
Knowing the
specifics of where and how an item is made is a start and ensuring that it was
done through sustainable means is the next key measure.
Everything, from the manufacturing process to the type of wood used and the fabric that it is upholstered with, can impact how green a bed is.
What Are My Choices?
Solid Wood or Reclaimed Wood Beds
In this case, you will need to pay careful attention to the sourcing. That is because although wood is renewable, it`s not always sustainably sourced.
Which is why it is super important to do
your homework and make informed decisions after researching a company`s
sustainability choices. This will enable you to find out how the wood was harvested and where it is
sourced.
Finding a bed frame made from repurposed materials will reduce waste and minimise the need to cut down additional trees.
Rubberwood Beds
Rubberwood
is the most eco-friendly wood used in today`s furniture industry.
Each plantation plants trees for rubber collection, then the timber harvest occurs once the tree reaches the end of its production cycle.
Old rubber trees used to be burned and recycled as furniture. Rubberwood is promoted as eco-friendly.
Rubberwood beds are considered eco-friendly. Manufacturing furniture using this commodity is a more sustainable industry as the trees are planted and harvested appropriately.
Bamboo Beds
Bamboo is
the fastest growing plant on Earth.
Compared to
hardwood trees that can take over 30 years to fully mature, bamboo can reach
maturity within five years.
Bamboo is more abundant and easier to grow than hardwood, making the crop much cheaper.
Solid and durable, bamboo is a highly sustainable plant, making it a super sustainable alternative due to its naturally renewing properties.
Plus, nasty pesticides and chemicals aren`t required when harvesting bamboo, which means the cultivation is natural and doesn`t harm the environment.
Why Bamboo:
- - Robust,
strong, and durable
- - Light
and easy to carry
- - Safe and hygienic (naturally anti-bacterial without needing any toxic chemical treatments)
Bamboo production and manufacturing sustains the traditional industry and creates new well-paid jobs for locals.
Solid Metal
Another material to consider if you are looking for a non-toxic bed is solid metal due to its durability, easy maintenance, and recyclability.
Be careful, though, and try to look for recycled metal rather than metal that was newly mined.
Rattan Beds
Rattan is a
naturally renewable palm that grows in diverse forests across Africa and Asia.
Therefore, it
is a perfect alternative to traditional hardwood.
Now that you
know what makes a bed frame eco-friendly and you have plenty of options to
choose from, we hope this will help you achieve a toxic-free bedroom and a
better night`s sleep.
**This is a collaborative post.**
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