“Organic” is a powerful word, a heavy hitter of the eco community. To find a product made without toxic chemicals, people might use “organic” in an online search. In our industry, you might see an “organic mattress” advertised, but what does that even mean? The answer can be a little trickier than you might first think.

Understanding Organic

The use of the term “organic” is regulated by the U.S. government when it comes to food or raw agricultural materials, but NOT non-food, manufactured items. The National Organic Program (NOP), as a federal regulatory framework, lays out guidelines on what can and can’t be labeled as organic food. The NOP requires crops to be grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.They also lay out rules for the soil and prohibit GMO crops. In other words, the government sets the organic food standards.

Get to Know the Standards

When it comes to most manufactured products, however, those standards don’t apply. Anything that undergoes a major transition or uses other materials that are not agricultural by nature (for example metal or plastic) is outside of the scope of the NOP.

When it comes to fabrics, clothing, and mattresses—an independent global set of rules called the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) was formed with extremely strict guidelines.  A select number of third-party certifiers were licensed to provide this certification to organizations that produce organic textiles of any sort. The process for any organization aspiring for the certification requires inspections, audits, and looks at many factors through the entire product chain. GOTS demands every step of the supply chain—from farms to final assembly— follow rules regarding chemical use and worker welfare. If any step in the process fails, a product will be unable to be GOTS certified.

What This Means for You

While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides some guidance on green marketing, and acknowledges the veracity of the GOTS seal, the government itself doesn’t define the word. If a company advertises a mattress that is full of synthetic foams as organic, consumers have the right to file a complaint with the FTC. The FTC might rule against the company, but unlike food, the government doesn’t have any standard that outlines  what an organic mattress or shirt is.

If you want to be sure your mattress is made with organically grown materials, and no toxic chemicals, make sure the entire product is GOTS certified. (Latex only mattresses can be certified to a different standard called GOLS, the Global Organic Latex Standard). Without either of these standards (GOTS or GOLS), the word “organic” on a mattress has no regulation by the government, and means very little in terms of a health claim.

Natural foods, natural beauty products, and now, natural mattresses. That’s right, the more people In search of a healthier lifestyle, the more companies are finding better ways to create natural and all-natural products. In theory, this sounds like a natural (pun intended) correlation, but natural and healthy do not mean the same thing. Actually, far from it.

So What IS Natural?

There is no actual Food and Drug Administration definition for the term “natural” (just as with “eco-friendly”). This allows products to have only one natural ingredient and a handful of other chemicals, but still toute the term “natural” or “eco-friendly.” When it comes to food, the FDA does specify that “natural” food does not contain added colors, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances, but that leaves room for a lot of other things such as trans fats and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Unfortunately, this means a lot of the population is purchasing products that they assume are healthier when they are actually riddled with sugars and artificial ingredients. These regulations become even looser when you look outside the food industry.

We see this buzzword used a lot in the mattress industry, specifically. Natural mattresses have been permeating the marketplace, convincing consumers that purchasing them will lead to better sleep. In reality, many of these options likely have a lot of the same harmful chemicals as conventional mattresses, they may just source at least one natural material.

How Do I Know When To Trust The Natural Label?

Before you buy a product simply because the label notes it’s natural, green, or eco-friendly—take a little extra time and look at all of the ingredients or materials on the label.  “Free of harmful chemicals” is another good distinction to note a safe, healthy product. If you want to go the extra mile, check for organic certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) on the packaging. Don’t be fooled by terms like “all-natural,” “100 percent natural,” or “green” either.

While you may be looking for a product that you feel good about, you should make sure that that product leads to a healthier and safer lifestyle as well. Be weary of companies that toute words that don’t have definitive standards, and your best bet is to always carefully inspect labels and tags for materials and certifications that you understand.

Friendly is great. We all benefit from giving, and receiving, kind words or a simple smile. Being eco-friendly is being kind to the earth, and there’s nothing to not love about that. We should all strive to live our lives in eco-friendly ways.

At Happsy, we applaud eco-friendly lifestyles. The problem is when the term eco-friendly is used as a marketing term. Why? Because “eco-friendly” is used and abused in so many ways, rendering it virtually meaningless.

Why Doesn’t “Eco-Friendly” Hold Much Weight?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sets out guidelines that constitutes deceptive advertising, has even weighed in. They say that “eco-friendly” falls under the category of a general environmental benefit claims, and they make it clear in their Green Guides (a guidebook for marketers on making environmental claims) that “marketers should not make unqualified environmental benefit claims.” Basically, this means advertising should let people know what is meant by “eco-friendly.” Does it mean the production facility uses solar power? Maybe it means the product uses some organic ingredients. Perhaps “eco-friendly” is referring to something completely different altogether.

The core of the issue is that very few FTC cases are filed regarding the misuse of the word “eco-friendly.” There simply isn’t enough staffing or time to monitor the word. The reality is that every one of us continues to see “eco-friendly” plastered on everything from detergents to teas to disposable diapers, and it doesn’t end there. It is very often used in a way we might think is legitimate, and commonly in ways that leave us scratching our heads wondering how THAT could be called eco-friendly. The problem can get worse with imported products sold on online marketplaces which can completely fly under the radar of responsible terminology usage.

When Should I Believe a Product is Eco-Friendly?

So how can you be an informed consumer? First, if a product is labeled “eco-friendly,” determine what makes the product truly eco-friendly. Second, be very wary of the words “eco-friendly” paired with some forest clip art and no further explanation. Third, look for recognized third-party certifications that guarantee someone has checked and approved the product against pre-set guidelines.

Eco-friendly as a concept and way of life is great. Just be cautious when it’s used purely as a marketing buzzword. At Happsy, when we say we are eco-friendly, it’s because we package and manufacture our product in a way that allows us to make smart environmental decisions.

Committing to living a healthier lifestyle is a constant (yet sometimes wavering) goal for many. If you’ve tried making healthier decisions before and failed, you might be wondering why you should bother trying again. Revamping your lifestyle overnight is like jumping into the deep-end when you have never swam. It’s always best to just dip your toe in first—small steps will help you be successful. Our favorite way to kickstart a healthy lifestyle? Make simple, Happsy choices!

Choose Your Snacks Wisely

Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to suddenly go from fast food to only eating kale overnight. Trying to be all or nothing, sets your attempt at a healthy lifestyle up for failure. Eventually you may only eat meals full of lean proteins and greens, but work up to it by making Happsy choices. Start by trying to change your snacks. When you go to pick up chips to throw in your bag for work, opt for almonds, fruit, or veggies instead.

Skip the Bus and Take a Walk

We understand many of you may have long commutes to work or live in an environment where it’s not always walking weather. We don’t expect you to bike or walk for hours in the rain or snow. But if it’s appropriate, and you know it will be a 15 minute walk versus a five minute drive or bus ride, opt for the movement! This is a great Happsy choice that will make incorporating exercise into your routine easy and eventually get you conditioned to get back to the gym!

Take a Break From Social Media

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally checking in on old friends or posting a selfie, but many studies have found that a reliance on social media not only has negative effects on our mental health, but checking it too late also can be detrimental sleep. The hours we spend scrolling and liking could be used to dive into new hobbies! Give yourself a goal: one of those hours you were going to spend falling down the Instagram rabbit hole, try reading or walking around your block instead.

Prioritize Healthy Sleep

This is obviously our favorite Happsy choice, and for good reason. It’s not just because we are in the business of sleep, it’s also because sleep is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. When you have a restful sleep, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants, you will be more alert and ready to make thoughtful choices throughout the day.

By choosing Happsy, you are guaranteeing your healthiest night’s sleep!

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