A CERTIFIED ORGANIC MATTRESS IS BETTER FOR YOU AND THE PLANET
Avocado Green Mattress is the most popular organic and natural mattress brand in the United States. With more than 5,000 5-star customer reviews, we’re also one of the highest independently rated mattresses, 2018 – 2019. Why is our direct-to-consumer brand so popular and disruptive? Read on to discover 12 ways an Avocado mattress unites luxury, performance and affordability with sustainability and social responsibility.
1. HEALTH & WELLBEING
“INDOOR AIR CAN BE 5X MORE POLLUTED THAN OUTDOOR AIR”
— U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Study after study shows that the chemically treated materials commonly used in our manufacturing and building processes negatively impact human health. By releasing toxic chemicals, these materials contaminate our air, water, food supplies and environment through the processes of volatilization (off-gassing), abrasion, leaching and oxidation.
Who’s at risk? We all are, especially since we spend 90% of our time indoors working, playing, learning, and sleeping — and one-third of that time in bed. But closed environments are not always the healthiest. We don’t think about it any more — but science has shown that this can be harmful to both our health and our wellbeing.
But you can do something about it. We can live healthier by reducing our exposure to these contaminated materials. The simplest strategy is to keep them out of our homes in the first place. Opting for an Avocado Green Mattress is one step forward toward living green.
2. CERTIFIED ORGANIC
GOTS CERTIFIED
Our organic mattresses, pillows and bedding are GOTS certified products, a standard that is endorsed by the USDA’s National Organic Program. These certifications cover the source materials, factory and products, and are listed in the GOTS Public Database. All certification logos include the required license number.
(Pro tip: When comparing brands, read carefully. Many brands will share GOTS Transaction Certificates, which are receipts for the purchase of organic certified material. But they do not verify the organic material listed is actually in the finished product. This is the purpose of the GOTS Public Database. It links inspections and verifications from the farm to your mattress. It ensures trust. Does it matter? Yes! If a brand and their products are not listed in the GOTS Public Database, it’s not an ‘organic’ product — a claim that is heavily regulated by the FTC.
ORGANIC LATEX
Instead of polyurethane foam, we make our own GOLS organic certified Dunlop latex from co-owned farmers’ societies in India, operating under the USDA’s National Organic Program. It’s grown without herbicides and pesticides. The process is elegantly simple: milky white latex sap is harvested in cups by tapping rubberwood trees. In an organic certified processing facility we also co-own, the latex sap is then whipped, steam-baked and rinsed. All trusted certifications are in our name.
ORGANIC WOOL
We use 100% GOTS organic certified wool, with public certifications, from a co-owned collective in India. Wool is a natural and renewable resource. It’s extremely breathable, odor resistant, fire resistant, and boasts exceptional thermoregulation properties (keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer). Plus, it adheres to organic standards — humane treatment, animal healthcare, and certified organic feed and pastures.
VEGAN OPTIONS
For our Vegan friends, we also proudly make a Vegan Certified mattress, which uses 100% USDA certified organic cotton fiber, farmed using NOP farming standards, instead of organic wool. It’s certified by Vegan Action® to not contain animal products and is a PETA-Approved Vegan product.
ORGANIC COTTON
Conventional cotton is a polluted crop. So we use 100% GOTS organic certified cotton — with trusted public certifications. Our cotton is responsibly and sustainably grown in India exclusively for us without pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. This is better for you as well as our family farmers. Best of all, organic cotton delivers a luxurious finish, breathes easily, and wicks away moisture better than any synthetic.
3. GREENGUARD GOLD CERTIFIED
Every one of our mattresses, toppers, mattress pad protectors and pillows are GREENGUARD Gold certified by UL Environment for low chemical emissions. Yes, they are listed in their public SPOT catalog. This certification applies to the finished product, not any single component. (Pro tip: some companies use a natural latex layer in order to deceptively suggest the healthy attributes of the latex layer applies to the whole product. Unfortunately, you need to read carefully.)
In contrast, GREENGUARD Gold certification means our finished products have been scientifically tested for prolonged exposure in environmental chambers and proven to meet the most rigorous emission standards for chemical exposure and pollutants, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and phthalates. Few mattresses and pillows qualify for this gold standard.
“Avocado Green Mattress is an eco-friendly brand that creates uber-comfy mattresses with organic, biodegradable materials—including 100% organic latex, wool, and cotton—as opposed to synthetic materials and potentially harmful chemicals.”
4. NON-TOXIC CERTIFIED
NO FLAME RETARDANTS
There are no flame retardants of any kind used in our Avocado Green Mattress. No toxic chemicals, no rayon, no fiberglass fiber ‘fire socks,’ and, of course, no boric acid or other undisclosed chemical treatments used on our organic materials. So how do we meet federal safety standards? We use 100% GOTS organic certified wool, which is naturally flame resistant, in just the right places.
TUFTED, NOT GLUED
The layers of an Avocado mattress are skillfully tufted together by hand, with long steel tufting needles, cotton straps and rosettes. We do not use any solvent-based chemical adhesives or water-based chemical adhesives, both of which can off-gas, pollute indoor air and impact human health. (FYI: Don’t be mislead by brands that use ‘water-based adhesives.’ They’re typically just polychloroprene and polyurethane adhesives mixed with water so they can be applied with a sprayer.)
NO POLYESTER COVERS
Most mattress covers rely heavily on polyester, which does not stretch, does not absorb sweat, does not breathe — and is treated with thousands of toxic chemicals during production. Avocado uses only 100% GOTS organic certified cotton ticking on the top, sides, gussets and even the beautiful herringbone-patterned canvas base. (Pro tip: Ask to read the legal tag on any mattress before making a purchase. No mattress can claim to be ‘organic’ if they rely on polyester. Our law tag details are listed at the bottom of our product pages.)
NON-TOXIC CERTIFIED
Our Avocado Green Mattress is MADE SAFE® Non-Toxic Certified™ — a rigorous screening process for toxicity. It screens for all known and suspected harmful substances. Unlike other certifications, it does not set acceptable levels of toxicity. Instead, it prohibits all use of harmful substances, such as flame retardants. Avocado is one of only three mattress brands in the world to meet this lofty standard of safety.
TESTED TO BE HARMLESS
Our organic certified latex, wool and cotton have also received STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®: Class 1 certifications (19.0.79546, 19.HIN.68466 & 15.HIN.75800, Hohenstein HTTI). This is their most stringent product class. It requires annual lab testing to ensure no harmful substances are present, to include banned substances, toxic chemicals, pesticides and dyes — all of which can be absorbed by your body.
“Made with 100-percent organic Dunlop latex, organic wool, and organic cotton, this GOTS-certified, flame retardant-free mattress checks all the boxes for a healthier sleep with no off-gassing. The natural and organic materials also wick away moisture and allow for better airflow than polyurethane-based foams, making for a cooler night’s sleep.”
5. RATED #1 FOR BACK SUPPORT
FIRM SUPPORT, HEALTHY BACK
A hybrid mattress is only as good as its innerspring support system. At Avocado, we use the best ergonomic support system available today. It enables our mattress to effortlessly contour to your body’s natural curves to deliver pressure-point relief, ensure proper spinal alignment, and deliver improved weight distribution — even when used on an adjustable base.
5 SUPPORT ZONES
Every Avocado mattress uses the ultra-premium Quantum Edge® Elite Combi-Zone® innerspring unit made in Missouri by Leggett & Platt. It features 5 strategic zones — three large interior zones plus two distinct perimeter zones. It also boasts a reinforced steel perimeter that extends support all the way to the edge. And because of the unique design of the zones, our mattresses can be rotated, but never need flipping.
1,414 INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED COILS
The Quantum Edge® Elite Combi-Zone® innerspring also features up to 1,414 individually wrapped innersprings made from recycled steel, each of which are wrapped in food-grade polypropylene for durability. These tempered steel coils are arranged in various sizes, gauges and turns, and are allowed to float independently to maintain back alignment and support your body’s natural curves. The mix of zones and coil types delivers a transformative sleep experience — even on an adjustable base.
HYBRID DESIGN,
BEST FOR SUPPORT
Hybrid mattresses have been proven to be the most popular, supportive and durable of all mattress designs. Not surprisingly, all Avocado mattresses are true hybrids. They combine the resilient, buoyant cushioning of 100% organic certified cushioning layers with the best-in-class Quantum Edge® Elite Combi-Zone® innerspring unit. (When you dig deep, you’ll find almost every other mattress anywhere near our price point uses a basic innerspring system.) That’s why Avocado is the #1 rated mattress for back support, according to a leading independent consumer publication.
“Most of these materials are renewable and biodegradable. (Even the latex is compostable!) The whole mattress is GREENGUARD Gold Certified by UL Environment while the company is an active member of 1% for the Planet®, giving back revenues to support environmental nonprofits. All of which is to say, they’re really in to being green.”
6. PROVEN DURABILITY
LAB TESTED,
PUBLISHED RESULTS
At Leggett & Platt’s International Testing Center, they use specialized equipment to measure a mattress’ durability and performance over time. Their ASTM certified tests — which are similar to those used by Consumer Reports® — provide results rich with data. Yes, we publish everything. Modesty aside, they’re impressive. Example: An Avocado Mattress only loses one percent of its height after 10 years of hard usage.
25 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Avocado Mattresses are backed by one of the industry’s best warranties — 25 years! The first 10 years offer full replacement value and include return shipping costs, while years 11-25 continue with prorated protection. Even so, our performance test data and independent testing and reviews suggest a more important point: the best assurance is to start with a quality product.
“Honesty defines this company that believes natural materials are key to restful sleep and long-term health. The passionate team behind Avocado believes it’s important to drive change by opting for eco-friendly products that ultimately help protect the environment and promote a greener and more sustainable world.” — Green Building & Design
7. AMERICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP
ORGANIC CERTIFIED FACTORY
GOTS & GOLS certify for ecology & social responsibility across our entire supply chain. Of the hundreds of mattress brands in the United States, only five brands operate GOTS and GOLS organic certified production facilities. Our Avocado factory in Los Angeles is one of these select few, meeting the rigorous standards, verified by Control Union®, to manufacture certified organic certified products.
HANDMADE IN CALIFORNIA
We make our own mattresses, in a factory that we own in Los Angeles, that was established in 1987, using the finest domestic and imported materials. Environmental laws and labor standards are extremely high here. Our valued team members are paid living wages and provided comprehensive benefits, including family healthcare and 3 weeks of paid vacation. (We recently gave awards to 10 team members that have been with us for 20+ years!)
QUALITY DETAILS,
NO SKIMPING
Most direct-to-consumer mattress brands focus on what’s fast and inexpensive. (Example: using a zipper on the cover — just toss in the materials and zip it shut.) While others go low on quality, we go high. We use double-stitched organic cotton tape edges, reinforced handles that lie flat on both sides, organic herringbone canvas on the base (even though you’ll rarely see it), and needle tufting done the hard way, by hand, to bind it all together. Why? Because mindful and conscious consumerism is also about quality and durability. Or simply, quality matters.
MADE IN
LOS ANGELES
“Made with 100 percent organic latex, cotton and wool, the eco-friendly Avocado Green Mattress is an Editor’s Choice for getting a good night’s sleep.”
8. CERTIFIED SUSTAINABILITY
CLIMATE NEUTRAL CERTIFIED
Humans created the climate crisis. A vast majority of the greenhouse gases warming our planet were emitted through human consumption and the production of energy, materials, natural resources, food, services and products. While we wait for governments to address climate change, we’re taking action now — reducing our carbon emissions where we can and offsetting 100% of the rest.
How did we do it? We worked with Climate Neutral, a forward-thinking nonprofit, to calculate our carbon footprint. To be accurate, it includes all direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (called Scopes 1, 2 and 3). This covers everything from the cultivation and production of our organic materials, factories, offices and experience centers to our material transport, product shipping, travel and even utilities. At present, Avocado is the world’s only Climate Neutral® Certified mattress brand. This means we have achieved a verified “net zero carbon footprint” — the new baseline for any sustainable brand.
NET ZERO EMISSIONS
To offset 31,000 metric tons CO2e in 2018, we funded three large projects via Carbonfund to fight climate change: Deforestation Projects in the Brazilian Amazon, helping to protect the rainforest from slash and burn agriculture and cattle ranchers; the Aqua Clara Safe Drinking Water, reducing the need in Africa to burn unsustainable biomass in order to boil water; and the Burn Stoves Project, saving lives and forests by making the burning of charcoal in Kenya more efficient and safe.
BIODEGRADABLE & RECYCLABLE
Old mattresses don’t go away easily. Mattresses are bulky, generally not reusable, and difficult to recycle. Ours are different. At the end of their life, an Avocado mattress makes less impact on the waste stream. The organic materials we use can biodegrade and the steel innersprings can be recycled. Since no polyurethane foams and other toxic chemicals are used in the manufacturing, our impact on the waste stream and the environment is significantly reduced.
BETTER FOR YOU AND THE PLANET
We donate 1 percent of our gross revenues — from everything we sell, not just a tiny portion of our products — to environmental nonprofits on an annual basis as part of our commitment to 1% for the Planet®. We are financially and spiritually committed to the organization, helping to build, support and activate an alliance of businesses in support of a healthier planet.
9. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
A FORCE FOR GOOD
Our vision is as aspirational as it is urgent and action-oriented: a world united by sustainability and social responsibility. As global citizens, we’re doing our best to do what’s fair and right — for our customers, employees, growers, herders, artisans and craftsmen. Because the products we buy and sell are connected to the livelihoods, health and wellbeing of others. We do this by using organic practices, using renewable and sustainable resources, certifying our products for ecology and social responsibility via GOTS, and working toward Fair Trade™ certified practices.
RESPECTING THE INDIVIDUAL
We take social responsibility seriously to ensure safe, ethical and positive working conditions for our factory team members, in the U.S. and abroad. The GOTS certification in our name covers our factory, materials and finished products. This is significant. It means we are in compliance with stringent social and labor criteria and adhere to free labor, anti-discrimination, zero child labor, wage protection, work limits, and other key norms of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The woven cotton used in our mattresses and protectors is Fair Trade Certified® in our brand name.
HONORING
COMMUNITIES
Our organic practices and corporate social responsibility programs contribute to sustainable development and healthy communities — especially in the communities in India that grow our cotton, tend our rubber trees, and raise our organic sheep. For example: Avocado is the only mattress brand that jointly owns and operates a GOLS organic certified latex processing facility. By being a partner in the community, we invest locally and work toward common goals so everyone prospers.
AVOCADO IS THE ONLY MATTRESS BRAND TO JOINTLY OWN ITS ORGANIC CERTIFIED LATEX FACILITY.
“WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOU IS GOOD FOR THE PLANET.”
10. A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST
HONESTY & TRANSPARENCY
We’re working hard to empower our customers with accurate and qualified claims, verified third-party certifications, substantiated science-based test data, and third-party customer reviews (unedited, of course). We also embrace ‘radical honesty’ with regard to our specifications and transparency into our business practices. Nor do we copy or disparage other brands. Even all of our photography is original. No models are used; just team members, friends and supportive customers.
DISCOVER WHAT CONSUMER REPORTS HAS TO SAY ABOUT AVOCADO
Read independent ratings, reviews and articles about Avocado’s standard and pillow-top natural hybrid latex mattresses. (Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.)
11. AFFORDABLE ECO-LUXURY
MORE THAN 10,000 5-STAR REVIEWS
We focus so much on the reason for our mattresses — ecology and social responsibility — that comfort and feel might seem like an afterthought. But of course, it’s not. Our organic certified materials and hybrid design ensure a sleep experience that is surprisingly cool, delightfully buoyant, instantly responsive and supportive in all the right places. For more information, read what our customers actually have to say …
12. 1-YEAR, RISK-FREE SLEEP TRIAL
READY TO START YOUR TRIAL?
Try an Avocado mattress in the comfort of your home. Relax. Sleep. Play. There’s no rush. You have a full year — more than enough time to evaluate the impact on your sleep quality and wellbeing. If you don’t love it, we’ll refund your money and arrange for a charitable donation to a local nonprofit or arrange a pickup for recycling or responsible disposal, per the terms of our Sleep Trial Policy.
We also offer optional in-home delivery for just $199, available 0% APR financing via Affirm®, and one of the best customer support teams on the Internet, based in Hoboken, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California!
SOURCES & BACKGROUND:
Detox Your Sleep Report — Made Safe
Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design
European Commission (2003): Indoor air pollution: New EU Research Reveals Higher Risk than Previously Thought
US Green Building Council: Understanding Human Health and Environmental Attributes
United States Environmental Protection Agency: Exposure Assessment Tools by Routes
Contaminants in Human Milk: Weighing the Risks against the Benefits of Breastfeeding
Placental Transfer of Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Preliminary Study of Mother-Newborn Pairs
Healthy Building Network: A Strategy to Prevent Asthma through Building Product Selection
California Department of Public Health: Learn Where Chemicals are Found and Possible Ways to Reduce Exposure
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Environmental Health Topics
World Health Organization: Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments
Environmental Factors in the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Environmental Working Group: The Dirty Dozen Endocrine Disruptors
Environmental Justice and Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform: Who’s in Danger?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Report on the Environment
The Washington Post, Flame Retardants in Consumer Products are Linked to Health and Cognitive Problems