Sahib Singh, the founder of Joro bedding, shares how the brand makes its organic cotton bedding eco-friendly.
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Losing sleep over news about the rainforest, floods, or air pollution? While we’ll recommend Steffi Haenicki’s interview with experts about how to combat climate anxiety, we can offer one solution to help you get a good night’s rest- eco-friendly bedding. Quality sleep and the materials that go with it are one of the building blocks of JORO, a homeware brand and family business that spans three generations. So, naturally, we connected with the brand to learn more about what it takes to craft non-toxic, safe, organic cotton bedding that we can all enjoy a good night’s rest on.
We spend one-third of our lives sleeping. That means the materials we lie on at night play a pivotal role in our health (not to mention that of our planet). Unfortunately, a lot of bedding is made from plastic-based materials like polyester, which are linked to skin irritation, toxicity, and microplastics. Traditional cotton bedding can be just as irritating to our health because conventional cotton crops use vast amounts of pesticides and herbicides. Materials like organic cotton, linen, and TENCEL™ are eco-friendly and safe alternatives because the plants are grown without chemicals. Sustainable brands will further ensure that these materials are safe by using dyes that are certified non-toxic.
Sahib Singh, the CEO of JORO shared more about certifications, avoiding toxic dyes, and his company’s goals for the future as a sustainable homewares brand.
What’s different about ogranic cotton?
Conventional cotton is the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crop.
Organic cotton is grown without pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.
These sheets are 100% organic cotton and OEKO-TEX certified.
What was the first step that you took to begin making a sustainable brand?
We decided to start our journey by making sure our product is of the best quality and has the highest standard of sustainability. We were looking at different raw materials, how these materials affect the planet, and which of these could have the least carbon footprint. We were looking at the sustainable yarns available to us. After creating a few samples, and trying out different variations we were able to make the best quality of bedding products through organic cotton, and cushion covers in linen and recycled polyester. The organic cotton and linen being sourced are of the highest quality, and the recycled polyester comes from recycled PET bottles.
What challenges did you encounter to minimize your environmental footprint?
One of the primary challenges we encountered in minimizing our environmental footprint was finding the right fulfillment partner in the UK. This was the first time we were setting up a business outside of India, and needed to treat this venture as a startup. While numerous fulfillment facilities catered to startups, their primary focus was not on sustainability. Consequently, we began reaching out to sustainable fulfillment partners, only to face reluctance due to our lack of a sales track record. Ultimately, we discovered Airbox, a carbon-neutral fulfillment center, which showed a keen interest in collaborating with us after comprehending our objectives and mission.
How do you sustainably source your materials?
In our relentless pursuit of quality and sustainability, we go the extra mile to ensure that the organic cotton used in our products is of the highest caliber. We take great pride in sourcing the finest organic cotton grain available on the market and can assure you the best quality of fabric being produced. To fortify our sustainability efforts, we’ve forged a collaboration with a reputable third-party environmental agency. Their expertise is invaluable in meticulously assessing the farms our yarn suppliers collaborate with. These assessments provide us with a comprehensive view of the sustainability practices employed on these farms.
Buzzword Breakdown: What Makes Organic Cotton So Good For The Earth?
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Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that every ounce of organic cotton we use is sourced in an environmentally responsible manner. It’s not just about certifications; it’s about the real impact on the ground. This collaborative approach paves the way for future partnerships that align seamlessly with our unwavering sustainability goals.
What dyes do you use?
We prioritize the use of top-tier dyes available in the market, understanding that a significant portion of an individual’s life is spent in contact with our products during sleep. Consequently, we place paramount importance on the safety and sustainability of our dyes.
Our commitment to customer well-being and environmental responsibility is evident in our choice of dyes. We exclusively opt for dyes that meet Reach compliance standards and are azo-free, ensuring they are safe for both human skin and the environment. We firmly believe that the materials closest to your skin should be of the highest quality and pose no harm. The aim of the REACH-compliant dyes is to protect consumers from the risk of skin allergies and Azo-free dyes assure that no carcinogenic chemicals are released, which are otherwise found in conventional Azo dyes.
To uphold these principles, we have established partnerships with two reputable companies, Archroma and Huntsman, who share our vision for a sustainable future. These strategic alliances enable us to source dyes from entities that align seamlessly with our brand’s core values, reinforcing our dedication to delivering safe, eco-conscious products to our customers.
What are the ethical production standards of the India-based factory that you work with?
The factory in India operates with a comprehensive environmental management strategy that guides long-term decision-making across various critical areas including energy, water, air emissions, and waste and chemicals management. These activities are meticulously regulated and overseen by government agencies to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Moreover, the factory maintains a well-documented system for identifying, monitoring, and periodically verifying all legal requirements, regulations, standards, codes, and other legislative mandates related to environmental impacts.
When it comes to air emissions from operations and production, the factory employs advanced measures for control. All air emissions undergo initial treatment through an Electrostatic Precipitator, a pollution control device that effectively cleans the air by employing an electric charge to remove harmful particulate matter, including solid and liquid droplets.
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In addition, wastewater management is a key focus. The factory operates an on-site Effluent Treatment Plant that employs a multi-stage process, encompassing Pre-treatment, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Advanced treatment processes. These include Seaving, filtration, ultrafiltration, pH Neutralization, and Reverse Osmosis. A significant portion of the treated wastewater is thoughtfully recycled back into the production processes, contributing to sustainable resource usage.
Furthermore, the factory maintains an environmental and occupational health and safety program tailored specifically to chemical management. Many of the chemicals used in various stages of the manufacturing process are OEKO-TEX certified. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are readily available to employees for the safe handling of these chemicals, and employees receive quarterly training to ensure proper handling and safety practices.
Beyond these measures, the factory actively promotes environmental awareness and strategies among its employees, fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability within its workforce.
What are your sustainable goals for the future?
Our vision for a sustainable future is firmly anchored in our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and ethical business conduct. At the heart of our aspirations lies the goal of achieving carbon neutrality, wherein we aim to significantly reduce and offset our carbon emissions to minimize our ecological footprint.
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Furthermore, we are eagerly delving deeper into the realm of material sciences. Currently, we boast a diverse range of sustainable raw materials at our disposal. However, we’re driven to take a more profound exploration of these materials, seeking innovative ways to harness their potential for creating products that are not only of the highest quality but also exceptionally gentle on our planet. Our commitment to sustainability is an ever-evolving journey, and these goals serve as markers of our ongoing dedication to making a positive impact on both the environment and the products we offer to our valued customers.
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