The past century saw a mounting concern for sustainable, “green” products that deliver the same quality of their predecessors. This was no easy task for businesses; “going green” often means retrofitting existing equipment, buying new production equipment, and restructuring marketing strategies to convince the consumer that their new eco-friendly product is the way to go. Memory foam mattress producers faced all the same challenges, and they have met them with exciting new products that reduce environmental impact. Changes that promote air flow, utilize all natural construction materials, and reduce dependence on oil-based derivatives all contribute to the creation of a new line of mattresses that are easy on the planet and the consumer’s checkbook alike.
Eco Foam is Cool
New memory foam mattresses are constructed with two major advances that allow for superior airflow: newly designed foam cells, and a channeled airflow layer. First, these new products are made with newly engineered foam that improves air circulation. These new foams are composed of octagonal shaped cells, similar to a honeycomb, that allow air molecules to move freely through the mattress. Keeping the air moving through a mattress is a key component of sleeping comfortably, as it carries body heat down through the mattress and away from the body. Traditional innerspring mattresses and original memory foam lack octagonal cell structures, resulting in heat retention and discomfort. Next, these new mattresses have a channeled airflow layer located just beneath the octagonal cells of the foam. As the permeable foam carries body heat through the mattress and away from the user, the channeled airflow layer removes the hot air from the mattress entirely.
Creating a cool sleeping surface is important in terms of ecological sustainability. When trying to reduce our impact on the environment, the first thing we must assess is our energy consumption. Usually, this is in the form of electricity. New memory foam helps users keep cool during the night, reducing their dependence on air conditioning each night. Read the full story
