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Sustainability and Natural Materials

We feel better knowing we're selling products that are made with sustainable ingredients. At Suite Sleep, we strive to help the customer understand the benefits of using healthy and organic materials. Our mission is to offer the highest quality mattress and bedding products made with the least negative impact on the environment, people and planet. We aim to be a positive influence in the community and environment. 
  • We source locally produced wool in an effort to support our domestic wool growers who exceed the organic and humane standards of excellence.
  • We promote the use of sustainable raw materials such as recycled polyester and Tencel™ fibers made from renewable eucalyptus trees.
  • We go beyond organic, by choosing natural fibers such as wool that are minimally processed sourced locally.
  • We use domestic mills to knit our organic cotton ticking, supporting the US textile industry. 
  • We import the finest latex from our Sri Lankan manufactures. Their plantations are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, their processes are certified by EcoInstitue, and their practices are Fair Trade certified. 
  • We create products that last significantly longer than the conventional equivalents by using high quality natural materials. Replacing products less frequently means less waste in landfills and conserving raw materials. 
 
green-america-gold-web-small.gifGreen by Design
Suite Sleep has been a member of Green America for more than a decade. We have achieved the Green America Gold Standard and participated in several of the Green Festivals over the years. Both our products and our business practices support the goals of Green Businesses in environmental sustainability, social welfare, and community service.
 
 
 
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Made in Colorado
We are proudly a Colorado business. Our products are either completely manufactured or assembled in Colorado. Sustainability is as much about sourcing locally as it is using resources wisely. Boulder has been called the epicenter of the natural products industry and we are honored to be a part of that movement.
 
 
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Green Leadership
Our Founder, Angela Owen is a Green Leader in the Sustainable Furnishings Council. The SFC has been a leader in educating and promoting green business practices throughout the home furnishings industry with an emphasis on improving indoor air quality and reducing CO2 emissions. We are proud members of Naturally Boulder and the Specialty Sleep Association's Bed Fax Transparency program. 
 
 
 
 
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Giving Back to the Planet
In our effort to give back, we donate a portion of our sales to SaveNature.org. SaveNature is an organization that provides rainforest education to schools all across the nation with its Insect Lab program. SaveNature also pioneered the Adopt-an-Acre/Adopt-a-Reef program that is committed to protecting the dense forests of Costa Rica, Brazil, and Panama and the coral reefs in Palau, Komodo, and the Dominican Republic. Jim Owen, CFO of Suite Sleep, Inc. is a board member and serves as Treasurer for SaveNature.org.
 
 
 
 

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Natural/Botanical Latex Rubber Provides Flexibility and Resilience

We use only the finest grade of pure botanical rubber for the support core at the center of our mattresses and overlays. Botanical latex rubber is an ideal choice for mattresses because it is flexible, yet stable, for superior comfort. Natural rubber is also extremely durable lasting decades when maintained correctly. The latex rubber in all of our mattresses use the Dunlop process and is a pure rubber product without the use of synthetic rubber.

Where It Comes From
Rubber is harvested by tapping the milk (sap) of Hevea brasiliensis (the common rubber tree). The trees grow in Sri Lanken plantations especially selected for their high-quality product. No herbicides, pesticides or fungicides are used in these operations during the production life of the trees for our GOLS Certified organic latex used in all of our molded pillows. When a rubber tree ceases to produce, its wood is used for furniture. The rubber trees are all FSC certified and the latex is Oeko-Tex certified.

The Hevea milk is processed close to the plantations, because the raw product destabilizes when kept too long or transported. Other manufacturers avoid the problem by adding stabilizing chemicals and large quantities of ammonia or fillers. By having our rubber manufactured where the trees' milk is harvested, we also help to sustain the local economy. Jobs are created without depleting the natural resources of the country--a kindness to ourselves and the planet.

Our Rubber - Natural methods only
An injection system produces the purest natural product--for mattress cores that will keep their shape. Only air, natural soap, and natural vulcanization agents are used. At the end of the mattress life cycle, the rubber breaks down, because it is a natural, biodegradable substance. Thus reducing the waste in our clogged land fills.

Talalay vs. Dunlop

There are two methods which are used to make latex foam - talalay and dunlop processes. The Talalay process is a more modern process by which the liquid latex is first flash frozen and then heated quickly to form uniform open cell structure in state of the art facilities. This process produces a piece of latex that is uniform and consistent every time. This method also uses some chemicals during the process and latex from many different sources around the world. The talalay method can produce some of the softest latex as it allows the solids to stay evenly distributed or "frozen" in time during the baking process. This creates a more airy piece of latex which is also a bit softer. The talalay also uses more energy to produce and requires the transport of the liquid latex to more industrialized countries.

The Dunlop process, on the other hand, has been around for decades. Many manufacturers have improved the process by using an injection method to help press out excess air lending to more consistency in the finished product. The dunlop process is done near the rubber plantations and typically use only a single source of Hevea milk. The trees on these plantations are bud-grafted for the most consistent raw material available. This process gains consistency of the finished product straight from the source - the milk itself. Very little ammonia is needed since the Hevea milk is not being transported great distances. The water used in the process is all run through a water purification systems and then re-used. This process puts people native to the region to work and helps our world economies grow. Child labor is never used and the work is done without the need for any protective gear as it is totally natural. Finished latex is then factory sealed in recyclable plastic bags and loaded onto containers for shipping. We buy our latex directly from the supplier via container shipments.

A Word About Latex Allergies

Latex allergies stem from the proteins in the liquid latex that comes from the rubber tree sap. These proteins are present in the raw material before it is made into a finished product. Latex allergies are typically a progressive allergy that develops from over-exposure to these proteins. This being said it is important to make a distinction between those latex products containing the natural proteins and those that do not. Natural/Botanical latex can be processed in one of two ways: dipped products and poured products. A dipped product is one that is impermeable such as gloves, balloons, catheters, etc. These products trap the proteins within their membrane and the proteins can then leach out into a person's pores. Over time, a person can develop a sensitivity to the proteins and possibly a severe allergy. The talc in gloves assist in the leaching process which is why we see so many latex allergies in the medical profession. The second process is where the liquid latex is vulcanized and poured into a mold and baked to create a foam. This process results in an end product that is porous and the foam goes through an intensive washing process. The proteins are washed out of the product and therefore not present in the final piece. In a mattress or pillow, the latex is then covered to prevent tactile contact with the latex adding another layer of safety. Studies have shown that infants born with spina bifida are prone to these allergies, which can result in acute anaphylaxis and death. If you, or the person you are buying for has a latex allergy, there are plenty of other organic options for you. It certainly isn't worth the risk.

Benefits of Natural Rubber
It's a little known fact that Hevea milk contains an antibacterial substance that is a natural dust-mite repellent.

  • Superior durability and elasticity (for mattress longevity)
  • Retention of shape and firmness (for even support)
  • Flexibility combined with stability (for continuous sleep comfort)
  • Excellent heat and moisture regulation
  • Superior air circulation (for preventing the growth of molds and mildew)

American Dream Wool

From Barn to Boudoir: Our wool comes from select growers in the USA

The Suite Sleep American Dream Wool batting and fill is 100% pure virgin wool sourced from US growers. Our wool is never factory farmed and our growers use best animal husbandry practices. The overall carbon footprint of raw materials is important to us, so we choose to buy only from US growers thereby reducing our carbon footprint in shipping wool from far off countries like New Zealand or Australia. Our wool is processed domestically using all natural processes without chemicals, dyes, or added oils, meaning that it contains no residues from the processing--just time-honored warmth and absorbency. Our recent partnership with Black Cat farm brings our story to the local level. Just a few miles from our plant, we source gorgeous Tunis wool from our friends Eric and Jill at Black Cat Farm.

Incomparable Care
The wool comes from coarse-wool sheep in the USA, where small family-run businesses take exceptional pride in their natural methods. The sheep are carefully bred and live a stress-free life. During the summer months, the animals graze on land that has never been used for agriculture, guaranteeing that it is free from contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. In winter, a well-ventilated, climate-controlled barn with clean floors is stocked daily with fresh bedding and a non-rationed organic food supply. The animals are also checked daily for continued health. The resulting fleeces--shorn from live animals, carefully sorted, and washed with only hot water and vegetable-based soaps (no toxic detergents, chemicals, or chlorine bleach)--contain wool fibers that are strong and springy. The fleeces are then processed without the use of oils or bonding agents into wool that retains between 4% and 6% lanolin, a natural dust-mite repellent.

Benefits
The quality natural product achieved by treatment with only vegetable-based agents for washing, lubrication, and static control is just the start.

  • Naturally flame-retardant
  • Absorbent (it can absorb 30 percent moisture and remain dry--excellent in cases of "night sweats")
  • Resilient in form and shape, great for comfort and for aesthetics
  • Cool in summer, warm in winter, it's the perfect choice for great sleep
  • Naturally resistant to dust mites, because it does not retain moisture
  • Mother Nature's natural climate control

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Black Cat Farm, Boulder Colorado
 

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In creating everything from our bed accessories--such as pillows, comforters, mattress protectors, and overlays--to our carefully constructed Suite Sleep & Little Lamb Organics mattresses, we start with organically grown and harvested pure cotton. Chemical-free and certified to the highest standards available today, our products allow you to sleep and to breathe naturally. Our mattress tickings and pillow covers use fabrics with certified organic yarns and are knit right here in our US and Canadian mills.

Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and uses less water to produce than conventional cotton. It is processed without harsh chemicals and is finished naturally using low impact dyes. 

Benefits of Organic

  • Comfortable and soft, so that skin is never irritated
  • Supports environmentally friendly farming practices
  • Supports fair wages and fair trade practices in 3rd world countries
  • Absorbent and breathable, maximizing air circulation and minimizing perspiration
  • Machine-washable to accommodate a busy lifestyle
  • Strong and resilient in shape, color, and texture--a must for aesthetics, functionality, and excellent return on investment