Our Sustainability Promise

An image of sunlight shining through trees in a forest.

At Mattress Online, sustainability is important to us.

Our actions promoting sustainable products and excellent work practices go a long way, but we’re always striving to do more.

Helping to cut the growth of landfills

Our not-for-profit recycling service is used by more than 1 in 6* customers, saving over 15,000 mattresses from landfill every year.

100% of each mattress is recycled - the metal is sent off to make new springs while the fabric is turned into blankets for horses and dogs.

A recycling symbol in the middle of a forest.

* Recycling statistics based on orders between dates May 2023 and January 2024

Reduce, recycle and rethink

A great way of reducing waste and saving energy is to keep products and materials in circulation as long as possible. Recycling is an important part of this.

We put a lot of thought into innovating our sustainability practices to improve circularity. Here are some more initiatives we’re proud of:

100% recyclable polythene bags

Not only are our mattress bags made from 100% recycled material, but they are also recyclable - suitable for placing straight into a normal plastics recycling bin.

Ethically sourced staff uniforms

It’s not just our products we consider. At Mattress Online, we make sure our staff uniforms are made sustainably, and in safe conditions free from unjust labour practices.

Cycle-to-work scheme

Cycling has the double benefit of reducing emissions and improving health. We’re all for it at Mattress Online and encourage our staff to cycle wherever possible.

Leading the charge for change

A person holiding a leaf like a pen on a black backgrounf.

Mattress Online fully supports positive decisions made on the future of sustainability in the industry.

Independently, and through our work with the National Bed Federation (NBF), we continually push for changes and improvements in our sector.

Taking recycling to Parliament

Our CEO, Steve Adams, has supported an ‘Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme’ through his work on the NBF Retail Advisory Forum. The scheme encourages the industry to take responsibility for its products beyond the consumer stage. Part of this includes adding environmental design principles to make it easier for consumers to recycle old mattresses. To achieve this, the scheme is calling for a nationwide programme to fund the promotion of mattress recycling.

Cutting chemical flame retardants

We signed an industry consensus statement calling for less use of chemical retardants, improved chemical practices, and more sustainable product designs in our industry.

Championing eco-friendly designs

We support and actively promote manufacturers that follow the NBF’s Eco Design Principles. This includes featuring a dedicated range of eco-friendly products.

Supporting UK government sustainability initiatives

Our CEO is dedicated to advancing sustainability and mattress recycling in the UK. As a representative for the NBF Retail Advisory Forum, he collaborates closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the UK Government department focused on environmental protection and rural sustainability. Additionally, Steve works alongside Zero Waste Scotland, supported by the Scottish Government, to improve sustainability within Scotland's mattress industry, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Addressing global environmental damage

It’s important to us that the manufacturers we work with are on the same page when it comes to sustainability. That’s why we focus on sourcing products from manufacturers that have signed up to the NBF’s Pledge for Our Planet initiative.

The pledge covers 5 key areas of commitment:

1. Become a more sustainable business

2. Reduce their global warming impact

3. Reduce waste

4. Reduce their products’ impact on the environment

5. Take responsibility for their actions

Giving you the chemical-free option

Whether you want to avoid potential allergens, or you’re just thinking of the environment, we have a handpicked range of chemical treatment-free mattresses.

A woman holding a 'Save the Earth' newspaper in a greenhouse.

Making ourselves accountable

At Mattress Online, we like to back up our principles with proof. Alongside the NBF Pledge For Our Planet and the Eco Design Principles, many of our manufacturers have signed up for programmes designed to improve transparency.

Carbon Passports

Manufacturers such as Jay-Be and Silentnight now use Carbon Passports on all of their new products. Carbon Passports are QR codes that detail the origin, carbon footprint and components of the mattress.

Climate Pledge

Many of our popular manufacturers have signed the worldwide Climate Pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. Within the mattress industry, this involves reducing waste and using eco-friendly materials.

People are important

The MattressOnline warehousing team walking through the warehouse.

Every business is only as good as the people behind it. We want to make sure our staff are valued and supported. From ensuring our uniforms are ethically sourced to celebrating young people working in the industry, we want to shout about the great things that are happening in the world of beds and mattresses. Part of these efforts include supporting and sponsoring The Furniture Makers Company Charity 60 for 60 campaign recognising young talent in our industry.

Recognised for our efforts

In 2022, Modern Retail awarded us the Good Retail Awards - Sustainability Award for our sustainability initiatives.

We are honoured to have been presented with such an incredible award and look forward to continuing with our sustainability efforts for years to come.