Luma Sleep Announces Environmental Benefits of Their Unique Two-Layer Mattress Design

APOLLO BEACH, Fla., Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- It's true. One company can make a difference to the environment.

E-commerce is changing every industry on the planet, including the mattress industry. Traditional mattress retailers are taking notice as retail market share has shifted considerably in less than four years (Furniture Today). Today, there are more than 175 online bed-in-a-box companies competing in the $16.5 billion per year mattress marketplace.

American adults generally buy a new mattress every eight to 10 years. This means about 14 million new mattresses are purchased each year and nearly that many are disposed of in landfills. The disposal problem isn't new. It gave rise to the Mattress Recycling Council, but only CA, CT, and RI have made mattress recycling mandatory.

Over the last few years, the mattress disposal problem has been sizably increased by bed-in-a-box "disruptors." The reason? Most online mattresses sold have "100-night" in-home trials with free returns. While this may be consumer-friendly, it harms the environment because the return rate of bed-in-a-box mattresses is extremely high.

It seems some consumers treat mattresses like they were Zappos shoes. However, there is a huge difference between a used mattress and undamaged shoes.

Bed-in-a-Box Retailers Are Adding To The Environmental Problem
While the free trial removes the financial risk of buying the wrong mattress online, it has two undesirable consequences. First, if these mattresses don't work out, consumers must hassle with returning the mattress and finding another. Secondly, the return process ends up sending the majority of these brand new mattresses straight to the landfill.

Cascade Alliance, a major recycling non-profit in Oregon, writes: "Mattresses are bulky, their springs get jammed up in compacting equipment, and non-biodegradable synthetic foam and fibers from some mattresses contain hazardous chemicals which can leak into nearby water tables." In fact, more than 90 percent of the online mattresses are made using non-biodegradable synthetic foams. This is a serious issue that's not being covered by the press.

Steve Russo, Founder & CEO of online retailer Luma Sleep explains: "About 15 to 20 percent of bed-in-a-box box mattresses are returned shortly after purchase. With nearly 30 percent of sales units now coming from e-commerce - using a conservative 15 percent return rate - we're talking about an additional 500,000 - 700,000 mattresses a year that must be disposed of properly. That's enough to fill up over 35,000 dumpsters!"

When customers return a bed-in-a-box mattress, they may think it will be recycled, but it usually doesn't happen. A recent CNBC article reports: "All three major companies (Casper, Leesa, and Tuft & Needle) say they will either donate the mattresses or trash them, but in our experience, with Casper and Leesa they're going right to the dump."

Smart Business Practices Are Coming To The Rescue
The way Luma Sleep addresses its customers' comfort needs actually helps to reduce the number of mattresses in U.S. landfills. Luma's Free Comfort Exchange Program - the ability to change (and not have to return) the mattress - is an environmental gamechanger.

Russo remarks: "There will always be customers who aren't pleased with the way the mattress feels after they sleep on it. We designed our mattresses in two layers, so customers can choose the comfort of their mattress when they purchase it. If it isn't to their liking, we also allow for a Free Comfort Exchange of the latex pillow top for the entire first year. Our design results in very few returns. This not only enhances our financial performance, it also avoids the environmental impact of disposing of the mattress."

In effect, Luma Sleep's unique design reduces the number of returns, thereby reducing the number of new mattresses going to landfills. In contrast, the primary option other online mattress companies offer consumers is return > refund > landfill.

Luma Sleep Uses Sustainable, Biodegradable Components
Luma's mattresses and toppers are also eco-friendly. Mattress comfort layers are exclusively made of either natural or a blend of natural/man-made latex. Both of these materials are biodegradable, as are the steel springs in Luma's hybrid mattresses and the Tencel fabrics used for their mattress covers. The latex foam rubber is also more durable, so these mattresses don't wear out (or end up in landfills) as quickly as their synthetic polyfoam counterparts.

Luma Sleep has designed its products and business practices with sustainability in mind. Russo says: "We want to make sure we're doing as much as possible to address our environmental footprint. There are ways to design and engineer mattresses to create a win for the customer, for the company, and for the environment. That's the very foundation of the Luma Sleep business model."

Further details about the Luma Sleep Free Comfort Exchange Program can be found at: https://lumasleep.com/pages/comfort-exchanges-form.

You can reach Luma Sleep via LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumasleep/

About Luma Sleep
Luma Sleep is a premium, luxury bedding brand available exclusively online. Luma's unique two-layer mattress provides a lifetime of adaptable comfort. Luma offers consumers the ability to customize the comfort of their mattress during and after purchase by simply exchanging the pillow top layer for an alternative firmness. Launched in January 2016, Luma Sleep is committed to changing what people expect from a mattress company with their innovative designs, premium quality materials, and on-going customer support programs.

SOURCE Luma Sleep