At Ethical Bedding, we are uncompromising about what goes into our products. We avoid foam. We avoid glues. We favour renewable, biodegradable fibres wherever possible.
But if you’ve taken a closer look at the CocoCore mattress, you may have noticed that one of the materials we use is a recycled ocean plastic polyester blend.
That raises two common questions:
1. Why use recycled polyester at all?
2. Why include plastic in a mattress designed around natural, sustainable materials?
This article answers both in detail - and explains why using ocean-bound plastic, in the right way, can be a powerful force for good.
What Is Recycled Ocean Plastic?
Recycled ocean plastic refers to plastic waste that has been recovered from marine environments, coastal areas, or waterways before it can reach the open ocean.
It is typically collected through:
• Shoreline cleanups
• Fishing gear recovery programs
• Local collection systems in high-risk coastal regions
• Partnerships with ocean conservation organisations
The plastic is sorted, cleaned, broken down into pellets, and then spun into fibres. These fibres are blended into materials like polyester for use in textiles, furnishings, and performance layers - such as those found in selected components of the CocoCore mattress.
Why Use Recycled Polyester at All?
It is a fair question. Natural materials are the gold standard for comfort layers and sleep surface components. So why introduce a synthetic fibre of any kind?
The answer is functional performance.
In certain structural areas - such as core insulation, edge stability, or fire-barrier casing - recycled polyester offers properties that natural fibres cannot replicate without heavy chemical treatment or glues.
These properties include:
1. Shape Retention
Recycled polyester is springy and structurally resilient. It helps the mattress hold its form over time, which prevents sagging, edge collapse, and uneven wear.
2. Moisture Management
When blended with bamboo or hemp, polyester fibres wick moisture away efficiently, helping to keep your sleep environment dry and hygienic.
3. Durability
Polyester is naturally abrasion-resistant and strong. Used in specific non-comfort layers, it adds years to the lifespan of the mattress without affecting how it feels.
4. Fire Safety
Mattresses in the UK are legally required to meet fire retardancy standards. Recycled polyester offers an effective barrier without the use of toxic chemical sprays or foam layers.
Why Ocean-Bound Plastic?
Choosing recycled polyester from ocean-bound plastic is not just a sustainability gesture. It is a targeted solution to one of the world’s biggest environmental crises.
Ocean plastic is a global threat:
• Over 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year
• It harms marine wildlife and enters human food chains via microplastics
• Once in the ocean, plastic breaks down but never fully degrades
By recovering plastic from coastal regions before it reaches the ocean, we prevent long-term ecological damage and give waste a second life in a controlled, non-disposable application.
Is It Safe to Sleep on?
Yes. Completely.
The recycled polyester used in CocoCore is:
• Fully cleaned and sanitised
• Used only in enclosed, non-contact layers
• Certified for textile safety and low emissions
• Free from harmful chemicals or finishes
We do not use it in the top comfort layers. You will never sleep directly on polyester in a CocoCore mattress. It is used only in layers where natural alternatives would require chemical treatment or compromise structural integrity.
Polyester vs Virgin Synthetic Materials
To be clear, we are not advocating for synthetic fibres across the board. The problem is not plastic itself, but how it is sourced, used, and disposed of.
Here is how recycled ocean plastic compares:
Recycled polyester is not biodegradable. But in the context of a high-quality mattress that is fully recyclable at end-of-life, it serves a long-term purpose. It performs a function and replaces the need for additional petroleum extraction.
The Balance of Purity and Performance
We are often asked, why not go 100 percent natural?
The truth is, we would if it meant better results.
But our design philosophy prioritises the best possible outcome across all criteria:
• Sleep quality
• Durability
• Hygiene
• Climate impact
• Recyclability
• Safety
Natural fibres win in many areas. But where they fall short (particularly in maintaining loft and resilience) we carefully introduce recycled materials that have a net-positive environmental impact and zero compromise on your health.
Summary: Why Recycled Ocean Plastic Has a Place in CocoCore
• It helps maintain mattress shape and durability
• It contributes to moisture and hygiene control
• It avoids the need for toxic glues or foams
• It supports ocean cleanup efforts and the circular economy
• It is used responsibly and only where it outperforms natural options
At Ethical Bedding, sustainability is not a slogan. It is an engineering challenge. Every material is chosen with intention.
That includes coconut coir. That includes bamboo. And yes, in specific areas, that includes recycled ocean-bound polyester.
Discover the CocoCore Difference
The CocoCore mattress combines natural fibres and sustainable materials to give you a cooler, cleaner, and more supported night’s sleep.
No foam. No glue. No greenwashing.
