Recent statistics highlight a growing interest among travelers in sustainability during vacations, with 61% of American and 73% of global travelers emphasizing its importance [1]. MMGY Travel Intelligence reports from 2021 and 2022 also show sustainability trends, revealing a year-over-year increase in the significance of sustainability to travelers, rising from 15% in 2021 to 20% in 2022 when considering sustainable options while booking vacations. As a hotel owner, understanding the implications of these trends is crucial for determining the extent and areas in which to invest in sustainability efforts.

Meeting Higher Standards

Today, we are excited to introduce several initiatives that Hospitality Sleep Systems (HSS) is implementing to assist hotels in providing sustainable amenities to guests, all while maintaining affordable mattress investments. We strongly believe that every hotel should have access to sustainable options, ensuring that environmental responsibility is not limited to high-cost products.

We recognize that prominent certifications like GOTS and GOLS for organic bedding materials can sometimes inflate the prices of bedding items beyond what hotel owners may find cost-effective. As an industry leader, we are committed to introducing mattress alternatives that make sustainable options accessible to hotel owners. We prioritize certifications that hold substantial importance and positively influence guests’ perceptions, particularly concerning the sleep environment, when selecting a hotel that embraces sustainable features.

In this article, we aim to introduce you to three significant sustainable certifications integrated into our mattresses, emphasizing their environmental importance and their influence on travelers booking hotel rooms. These certifications—EndureIFR, CertiPUR-US, and Oeko-Tex—are pivotal in ensuring our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, we are proud to feature Repreve®, a leading eco-friendly brand known for its recycled performance fibers.

EndureIFR Certification

EndureIFR certification refers to flame-retardant (IFR) materials. EndureIFR is recognized under the USDA BioPreferred program [2] for using renewable resources and helping mitigate climate change impacts. Here’s why we incorporate EndureIFR into HSS mattresses, enhancing their eco-friendliness and sustainability:

• Reduced Chemical Use: EndureIFR materials eliminate the need for additional chemical treatments to meet fire safety standards. This reduces the environmental impact associated with chemical production and application, as well as the use of petroleum in manufacturing.
• Durability: EndureIFR-certified materials maintain their flame-retardant properties over time, extending the mattress’s lifespan. This durability reduces the frequency of replacements, minimizing waste and maximizing the cost-effectiveness of the investment.
• Safety and Health: By avoiding added flame-retardant chemicals, these materials contribute to healthier indoor air quality, promoting a safer sleep environment for guests.

Integrating EndureIFR into our mattresses aligns with our commitment to sustainability and ensures that HSS products not only meet stringent safety standards but also support environmental responsibility.

 CertiPUR-US Certification

The CertiPUR-US certification ensures that the foam used in HSS mattresses meets standards for content, emissions, and durability [3], making our mattresses more sustainable and eco-friendly. Specifically, CertiPUR-US certified foams are:

• Made without ozone depleters, lowering environmental impact
• Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants
• Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
• Made without formaldehyde
• Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million), improving indoor air quality and reducing chemical exposure.

When you purchase mattresses from HSS for your hotel with CertiPUR-US certification, you can be assured that the foam used in the mattresses is environmentally friendly and safer for your guest’s health.

OEKO-TEX Certification

The OEKO-TEX certification is a globally recognized independent testing and certification system for textile products at all stages of production. The primary aim of OEKO-TEX is to ensure that textile products are free from harmful substances and safe for human use [4]. Here are some of the key benefits of buying hotel mattresses from HSS that contain the OEKO-TEX certification:

• Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX: This is the most well-known certification under the OEKO-TEX umbrella and the certification we comply with at HSS. The Standard 100 tests textiles and fabrics for harmful substances. Products certified under Standard 100 are tested for a wide range of substances, including illegal substances, legally regulated substances, known harmful (but not legally regulated) chemicals, and parameters for health care.
• Sustainable Production: OEKO-TEX certifications also address the environmental impact of textile production. For example, it ensures environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and socially responsible working conditions, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible resource management.
• Product Safety and Consumer Confidence: Products bearing the OEKO-TEX label have been tested and confirmed to be free from harmful levels of over 100 substances known to be detrimental to human health. This gives your guests confidence that the mattress they are sleeping on are safe.
• Transparency and Traceability: OEKO-TEX provides traceability of certified products, allowing you to verify the authenticity and safety of the mattresses you purchase.
• Comprehensive Testing: The testing criteria for OEKO-TEX certifications are updated annually based on new scientific information and regulatory requirements, ensuring that certified products meet the latest safety standards.

By integrating EndureIFR, CertiPUR-US, and OEKO-TEX-certified materials, HSS ensures our mattresses are safe for your guests and produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. These certifications contribute to the overall sustainability of mattresses and align with the growing traveler demand for eco-friendly and health-conscious bedding options.

Repreve®

Repreve® stands as the global leader in recycled performance fibers, crafted from recycled plastic bottles and other reclaimed materials. By using Repreve’s fibers in our mattresses, we are part of the movement to give plastic bottles a second life and keep them out of oceans and landfills, while also producing fewer carbon emissions. Here are some major advantages of using Repreve® products in our mattresses:

• Recycling Waste: Repreve® fibers are made from recycled plastic bottles, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the need for virgin plastic production.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: The production of Repreve® fibers consumes less energy and water and generates fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional polyester fibers.
• Sustainability Certifications: Repreve® fibers often come with additional sustainability certifications, ensuring that they meet high environmental and social responsibility standards.

These certifications not only provide the benefits mentioned above, but also indicate high-quality, durable mattresses with extended lifespans. This durability reduces the frequency of replacements, minimizing waste generation and landfill impact at the end of their lifecycle.

Using certified products in the mattress manufacturing process also contributes to better sleep quality by offering superior comfort and support to guests. This enhanced guest experience can lead to improved reviews and increased repeat business for your hotel.

By using materials with EndureIFR, CertiPUR-US, and OEKO-TEX certifications, HSS creates mattresses that are more eco-friendly and healthier for both your guests and the environment. This allows your hotel to align with the growing trend of sustainability in the hospitality industry, meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious travelers and potentially attracting a wider customer base.

Bonus Sustainability Tip for Hotels

Beyond sustainability efforts that involve mattresses in guest bedrooms, we continue to see a growing momentum of regenerative tourism, which ensures that tourists have a positive impact on local social, economic, and environmental systems. Travelers are becoming more environmentally conscious and increasingly focusing on balancing vibrant experiences with preserving access and attractions for residents and future generations [5].

An opportunity for hotels to participate in this movement includes taking a more active role in highlighting local destinations that are implementing sustainable efforts for guests. This allows your hotel to take a step further in aligning with travelers’ desires for immersive, local experiences and their willingness to spend more when they know their money benefits the local community.

Overall, creating a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between hotels, tourists and local communities plays a crucial role in shaping a stronger customer relationship, since guests will feel involved and a part of the efforts to create a more sustainable world.

 

References

[1] Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report

[2] USDA Biobased Product Label Launches Today | USDA

[3] CertiPUR-US

[4] OEKO-TEX®

[5] MMGY Global – THE GLOBAL TRAVEL COMPASS: 2024 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK