If you consider the items in your house that have the potential to be ecologically-damaging, it is highly likely that pillows will not spring immediately to mind. However, whilst they may seem to be fairly harmless items, they can sometimes be made from materials that are harmful to you and the environment, and should therefore, if possible, be avoided.
Pillows are most commonly made from polythene terephthalate, or PET, and are packed with toxins including ethylene glycol which can damage your kidneys and nervous system, as well as being 63% less energy efficient than cotton equivalents. Other chemicals that contain ethylene have also been found to cause asthma and severe respiratory illnesses in factories, which have in extreme conditions led to fatalities. Ethylene and associated toxins also contain particles that can become air-borne and affect the way in which you breathe – by adding to the levels of air-pollution in your home.
Whilst some people may consider that the most organic type of pillow you can use is made from feathers, recent studies have revealed that up to 70% of feathers used in the bedding industry are plucked from live birds – which can be extremely cruel and distressing for the animal.
Whilst they can often be the cheapest option – synthetic pillows are not biodegradable, and end up polluting landfills – with the release of chemicals that can also infiltrate and pollute the water-table. They can also become dangerous carcinogenic went burnt – so it is virtually impossible to dispose of them in an eco-friendly manner.
However, if you wish to use eco-friendly pillows, there are several options available, and generally it is best to select filings that are organic and grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides. These type of filings will not have any hidden dangers and are produced in harmony with nature – and with this in mind – you should be able to get a good night’s sleep!
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