Planet vs Plastics: Our Journey to Sustainability

Planet vs Plastics: the theme for Earth Day 2024. What can we do to prevent plastic pollution and protect our ecosystems?

Sustainability is the ethos of Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Whether it’s our products or our processes, we prize longevity and natural raw materials.

To reduce waste and lower our carbon footprint, we make sure to consider our environmental impact elsewhere- from biodiversity to packaging and suppliers’ standards.

Planet vs plastics can be translated to people vs plastics.

More plastic has been created in the last 10 years than the entire 20th century. The EARTHDAY.ORG movement is demanding a 60% reduction in all plastic production by 2040. To raise awareness and inspire change, the movement highlights the importance of environmental conservation and the actions we, as consumers, can take for a healthier planet.

In our last blog post, we stressed the differences between natural and manmade fibres for your mattress. Manmade plastics (like polyester and nylon) originate from non-renewable petrochemicals and fossil fuels such as crude oil.

EARTHDAY.ORG improves awareness about plastic’s health risks. Microplastics break down and release chemicals which circulate in water, the air and have even been found in our food. Research has linked plastic to increased risks of heart disease and respiratory problems.

The movement promotes innovative solutions to long-term pollution in the effort to phase out plastics altogether. Although Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. may not have the most innovative solutions, we are constantly trying to reduce our plastic usage and support the conservation of our planet’s natural environment.

Certifications

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Our natural fibres are GOTS-certified. This means the wool, organic cotton, flax, and hemp we use in our mattresses and bedding meet certain ecological and social criteria that ensures transparency. This transparency creates trustworthiness.

Throughout each processing stage, less environmentally damaging chemicals are used to produce fibres. Crops are grown without synthetics, such as pesticides. Less toxicity means soil health is protected. It means fibres can biodegrade naturally and less harmfully.

Vegan Society-Approved

From the beginning to the end of manufacture, we maintain a high level of animal welfare. We avoid the use of animal by-products, and we never test chemicals on animals.

In partnership with the Vegan Society, we can guarantee that any animal-based fibres are selected by us. This protects the wellbeing of any animals involved and upholds traceability.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The materials used in our packaging are FSC-certified: fully recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.

More than 500 billion plastic bags were used worldwide in 2023. That’s 1 million per minute. Plastic can take 1000 years to break down in landfill. We use biodegradable bags to protect our bedding without compromising the environment.

The FSC ecologically manages the world’s forests to conserve the ecosystems they’re based in. They protect soil health, the cleanliness of waterways, species, and their habitats, and assure land is used as forests (some agriculture can damage soil).

Less waste is created thanks to our packaging design. The multifunctional design is easily parcelled for delivery. For customers, it slots into place with a handle for that all-important easy user experience. Strong, protective, and durable, our boxes can be reused and limit the need to produce more.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity: the variety of life on Earth in all its forms.

From bacteria to plants, animals to entire ecosystems, biodiversity is increasingly affected by human behaviour. It’s not an uncommon sight to see plastic pollution affect sea life or the devastating impact of climate changes like drought or floods.

Local diversity is the life found in your local area; ours is Norfolk. To protect our county’s biodiversity, we have:

Added beehives and bee bricks across our properties. Bees are pollinators; they help plants and crops to reproduce. But bees are at risk from chemicals and pesticides. We source wool from organic pastures, where natural alternatives are used. Our wool is scoured with fully recycled water without additional synthetics.
Preserved areas for rewilding and replanting native shrubs and trees. So, the bees we protect have somewhere to pollinate and plant species aren’t endangered.
Partnered with the Soil Association, a charity using education to improve humans’ environmental impact, notably via farming.

Made in Britain

Certified Made in Britain, Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. champion British materials from British suppliers.

Sourcing materials, such as iron, locally drastically decreases our carbon footprint. Without importing from abroad, we don’t release emissions from air transportation. We rely on renewable energy; our hybrid delivery vehicles use less non-renewable fossil fuels.

Supporting local suppliers supports high quality materials which last longer and reduce the need for buying new. In turn, this emphasises the importance of processes such as organic farming, so they become the norm. For example, organic cotton restricts the use of chemical pesticides and needs less water, a dwindling natural resource increasingly contaminated with plastic.

We have embraced hyperlocal sourcing. The fully traceable wool for our Sandringham Wool collection is sourced from the Estate’s flock just 5 miles from our workshop in Wolferton. Grazing on organic pastures ensures the sheep’s welfare. Healthier sheep produce stronger, more durable wool fibres.

Any wool left ungraded isn’t burnt but used. Our wool is a renewable source which won’t drive demand for importing from abroad. Instead of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, these ethical fibres are supporting animal welfare and conserving Earth’s natural resources.

Our actions help us remain Carbon Neutral and support the planet’s health.

What’s Next?

The journey to sustainability is ongoing.

Environmentally conscious, Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. are always searching for improvements to our products and processes. As people, we place importance on animal welfare and biodiversity professionally and personally. We say no to greenwashing and yes to using wool instead of plastic.

Our next step is to educate raising awareness of wool’s opportunities, the benefits of shearing, and how sheep can be integral to the local biodiversity. If organic natural fibres and local sourcing become the norm, we might phase out plastics and our reliance on fossil fuels sooner.

So, what should we, as consumers, do to help?

Forget manmade fibres; choose natural. Forego polyester and opt for wool, whether it’s fast fashion or interior furnishings.
Take action: sign the Global Plastics Treaty petition. Persuade governmental organisations to make a bigger impact.
Be willing to learn. Collectively, our small changes can have a large positive effect.