Latex is hailed as a better, more natural alternative beds such as memory foam. It comes from a milky liquid from a rubber tree. If it’s already natural and eco-friendly (assuming you don’t purchase synthetic), is it necessary to pay the extra for “Organic”? What is the difference between organic versus natural?
Why Organic matters
The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) is a certification that ensures latex meets the standard for organic. To continue with the certifications, farms and manufacturers are audited every year.
This is to ensure that organic latex will contain no known toxic chemicals during the farming and manufacturing process.
Criteria
Under this label, latex mattresses will have organic fills and organic dyes, and 100% natural latex will contain a minimum of 94% rubber.
It should contain:
No synthetic blenders such as sand, ash or petroleum byproducts.
No GMO
No Toxic persistent pesticides
No Toxic heavy metals, no phthalates and similar toxins
No Antibiotics
No artificial growth hormones
Health
Health risks are significantly lowered due to no off-gassing.
- The immune system is not compromised by toxic chemicals.
- There is a decrease risk of cancer, reproductive toxicity, and immunotoxicity.
- It’s create better a environment for babies by reducing risk of health and learning disorders such as Autism and Asperger syndrome.
- All-latex mattresses are hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.
- It is also anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and resistant to mildew and mud.
In total, there is a decrease in doctor visitations—good for the wallet, less stress.
Workers
One of the most crucial reasons why organic is more costly is the time and labor that goes into it.
The reduction of toxic pesticides makes an incredible difference to workers, as they are no longer exposed to the health risks.
Purchasing organic will contribute to ethical treatment of workers in third world countries. Let us use the consumer purchasing power to support this cause.
Powerful certifications, such as such as The Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) or the Global Organic Latex Standards (GOLS), include the criteria with fair trade practices.
– Farmers and factories must use organic and environmentally friendly practices
– Workers are given access to proper health care
– Workers must a living wage that meets their economical needs.
– Workers must still be compensated even if crops were bad that year.
Contents must grow in an environment, harvested, processed, and manufactured without chemicals and has a lower carbon footprint than traditional products.
In order for farmers to successfully switch over to an organic procedure, they choose clean seeds and trees; and soil must be chemically free for three crop seasons to be considered for the 100% organic certification.