I Just Gotta Tell Ya
- 10.6 Tons of Pillows go into Landfills every year
- Recent studies have shown synthetic pillows have higher levels of dust mites than feather pillows.
- ‘Conventional Pillows’ contain petroleum chemicals or additives which release VOC’s into the air.
The most environmentally Friendly thing to do is:
- Get Pillows Cleaned – I just throw mine into the washer and line dry.
- Reuse Pillows
- Donate Pillows- shelters animal and human might take them
- Give Away- post on Craigslist or other venues.
Anti-Allergy– May contain synthetics unless they have a certified organic label for the materials.
Buckwheat– made with 100% organic buckwheat hulls. Good environmentally because buckwheat does not need pesticides to grow. Naturally dust mite repellant.
Down Pillows- Made from feathers
Horse Hair Pillows– Old fashioned material made from horse hairs.
Kapok– Derived from Kapok Tree seed pods, they are blended with other natural materials, organic cotton and linen. Good anti- allergy properties.
Natural Latex- Pillow Fillers as an alternative to polyurethane. Holds it;s shape to conform to your neck and head. Derived from rubber trees.
Organic Cotton– Good hypo allergenic, if allergic to latex, buckwheat or wool.
Recycled Polyester– Pillows may still contain chemical additives and will off gas VOCs. But the good news, they are recycling!
Wool- Good choice, moisture resistant qualities, natural fiber, good insulator. Can buy certified organic wood that has not been treated with chemicals.
Where to Find Eco Friendly Pillows
Resources
The Pillow Shop– Cleans Pillows with no chemicals, reuses shipping boxes, employs bio-degradable pillow ticks.
Hollander Home Fashions– Zero Waste Program – saving over 11 Million Bottles a year going into landfill
Thanks for this post. I wash my pillows as well, and toss them into the dryer where they become unrecognizable as they were. So I have made my 4-legged kids comfy beds from most of them. I did not know that Animal Shelters or the like would be interested. I can check into that. Good ideas.