Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good for the Environment?
Unlike regular spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses have taken a step in the green direction. Usually, bed items such as mattresses have found themselves lying dormant in landfills around the world – too lumpy for secondhand use and no real alternate purpose. Luckily, memory foam mattresses have seen a new trend in the industry with organic and green memory foam. Many memory foam mattresses are treated without the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
Typically, these chemicals are used in regular spring mattresses and extremely low quality memory foam, visco-elastic products as fire retardants. These compounds are severely toxic to the environment. For example, when PBDEs are manufactured, they are released into the dirt, air, and water. They are not biodegradable, although they do experience some degradation due to the sunlight, but ultimately they sit beneath rivers and lakes – even accumulating on fish! It has been shown that high levels of PBDEs can cause neurobehavioral issues and possibly cancer.
Alternatively, CFCs that are present in treating low grade memory foam mattresses and regular spring mattresses are responsible for depleting the ozone layer. These compounds accumulate in the stratosphere and cause depletion of the ozone layer causing increased cases of skin cancer and genetic damage to a plethora of organisms. The chemical interactions of CFCs release chlorine atoms into the atmosphere that react with ozone molecules resulting in their elimination. Fortunately, quality memory foam mattresses have made CFCs and PBDEs obsolete in production and have opted for more eco-friendly and non-chemical alternatives.
The most important thing to search for as a consumer in the market, is to ensure that the memory foam mattresses available are made of the best quality visco-elastic material available. Not only does this guarantee an environmentally friendly purchase, but also sustains the integrity of your purchase. Lower end copycat models almost always look the part. However, they can never deliver the quality the higher end products offer and never last longer than a year. Thus, if eco-friendly shopping is a part of your foam mattress endeavor, it is important to research the company prior to purchase.
Unfortunately, memory foam mattresses cannot retain the visco-elasticity and support it is known for by using a completely soy-based material. Generally, only about 5-10% of soy can be added to these memory foam mattresses as eco-friendly alternatives and can never actually be 100% natural. Instead, due to the non-toxic treatment and manufacturing of memory foam mattresses, it has been shown that they have little negative effect on the environment. Some companies have even gone so far to eliminate unnecessary chemical use altogether and by using material additives that are naturally antibacterial as well as hypoallergenic.
Memory foam mattresses are a wonderful alternative to landfill spring mattresses by using eco-friendly materials and non-toxic treatments to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the product. Ultimately, an environmentalist should have no problem finding a memory foam mattress that meets their moral and functional standards. Going green can be a wonderful solution to restless nights!
A mattress with memory! Quite surprising but you can get the comfort of memory foam mattresses and memory foam mattress in UK at iMattresses.co.uk
Processing your request, Please wait....
