eco basics pillow

eco basics pillow by Bean Products

image © www.sustainableisgood.com

BY RIDER THOMPSON

The Eco Basics pillow made by Bean Products in Chicago Illinois is the subject of quite a lot buzz on various websites and blogs – interestingly though, there is very little information available on the product even from the company.

The Green Guide and many others have all run little blurbs or recommended the pillow as an inexpensive alternative to higher priced eco bedding options.  The pillow is filled with 100% recycled polyester fiber made from recycled soda bottles the casing is 100% unbleached cotton.  It comes packed full with fill and has a zippered opening to allow the customer to remove fill to adjust to their desired fill level all of this for between $18 – 24 plus shipping depending on where you buy it from.  Very reasonable especially considering other similar pillows which can easily sell for $100 or more.

So Bean Products has this seemingly great pillow – why aren’t they don’t anything to promote it?  We contacted them for information on the product for this story but did not hear back from them.  If you do a Google search on the pillow you’ll find references to the pillow and various places that carry it but everyone has the same standard paragraph. 

“An inexpensive pillow that makes a difference for the environment. Our pillows are generously stuffed with material made from 100% recycled soda bottles. Completely hypoallergenic, Eco-basics pillows are extremely comfortable and are covered in 100% unbleached cotton ticking.  Comes overstuffed, but fill is removable to obtain desired firmness.  Make an environmental and economical choice for closing the loop. Comfort size 20" x 25"

Judging by the information from the company and examining the actual pillow itself, it appears to be a good well made product.  So why isn’t there any info on it?  No info on how it’s made or where it’s made or if they have any interesting community partnerships to get the recycled polyfill material.  All the things that add elements of interest to consumers especially eco-conscious consumers who like to know how and where their products are made.

How to get one

You can order a pillow directly from Bean Products for $20 plus shipping and handling.  Looking around through, I found the pillow at online retailer Greenfeet.com for $18 plus shipping.  I ordered the product from them and later learned the pillow is actually drop shipped by Bean Products and does not come from Greenfeet.  I contacted Greenfeet and they confirmed the Eco Basics pillow comes direct from the manufacturer.  So Greenfeet sells the pillow for $2 less than the company itself, yet the company drop ships the product… odd.  I guess the lesson is order from Greenfeet.com if you want to save $2 because it comes direct from the manufacturer anyway???

Anyhow – the product is exactly as described I just find the lack of info and the marketing techniques a little odd.  It’s the type of product that people are interested in and want, perhaps the company will realize this and provide more info in the future. 

The photo we shot is the only unique photo of the pillow available on the Internet and the only one we've seen that gives consumers an idea of what the pillow is actually like.

Comments

[ian]

my concern with this pillow lies in the fact that the nature of the product means that the consumer will be in close proximity to any harmful materials it contains and releases for about 8 hours a day, almost 365 days a year, for as many years as the pillow is retained.

during this time, the fill - made entirely of broken down pop bottles - will continue to break down as the consumer rests their against the pillow and breathes (re: off-gassing, VOCs, etc).

admittedly, i'm not a proponent of recycling at all costs, but buying a product that may significantly raise the probability of my developing cancer seems like a bad investment. mind you, i am sitting at desk typing away at a computer as i write this... hmm... and maybe i'll move my cellphone a bit further away from me.