Overview

Aizome reached out to me to see if I was interested in reviewing their new bedding, which they launched on Kickstarter last week. I typically say no to these types of requests because the first step to zero waste is to reduce what you don’t need. Many people focus on refuse, but that is really just one of the many Rs that fall under reduce.

Click the image to view the campaign

I decided to make an exception to my rule of declining products for a few reasons. The first reason is that I was in need of new bedding, plain and simple. My old sheets were old, faded and worn out. And when I say worn out, I mean they are starting to fray and tear in places. I have avoided buying new bedding for so long because there isn’t a lot of transparency in the textile industry, which is one of the worst industries when it comes to negative environmental impact. Since I struggle with identifying companies who manufacture textile products that are actually made from sustainable and ethical sources, I just don’t buy anything at all.

The second reason I decided to take Aizome up on their offer to try their bedding is they approached me in a way that indicated to me that they understand what zero waste is all about. Their bedding is made from organic cotton and utilizes natural indigo, which is how jeans were made to be blue back before most brands switched to chemical dye alternatives.

About the product

According to Aizome: “…Aizome Bedding makes bed linens of natural indigo and organic cotton with less water compared to the conventional dyeing process, inspired by the traditional Japanese aizome craft which we are all devoted to (most of us love scavenging Tokyo flee markets for gems). Our aim is to provide a skin-soothing, natural (and very environmentally friendly) sleeping experience in a clean, minimalist and timeless indigo design.”

• Anti-inflammatory properties of indigo nauralis have been scientifically proven
• Antibacterial properties of natural indigo prevent harmful bacteria from collecting in bedding
• Environmentally friendly process of dyeing with natural indigo produce no waste waste
• Triple certified quality: Aizome production process is certified with OEKO-TEX, is uses only certified GOTS organic cotton and the final product runs through a safety inspection in Japan by QTEC
• Hypoallergenic production: Aizome’s bedding is manufactured using allergy-resistant material
• Organically produced: Aizome’s products are made using organic, non-GMO materials
• No synthetic chemicals: promotes health by removing harmful chemicals from your sleeping environement
• Durability: The oldest surviving textiles in the world are dyed with natural indigo, which coats and protects textile yarn. In addition, Aizome Bedding has no wear and tear parts such as buttons, rubber bands or zippers, and can potentially last for decades

The packaging

Packaging might be the bane of any zero waste lifestyle enthusiast’s existence. I am happy to report that the product came packaged about as good as we can hope for. The bedding itself was packaged in a reusable tote bag, inside of a box. There was no plastic to be found!

This is the box my bedding came in.

Inside the box

There were two origami figurines at the bottom on the box.

The bedding itself

Recommendation

Manufacturing a product an environmentally-friendly and ethically might seem more expensive, but that’s because doing it right costs more. When we support fast fashion and irresponsible textile production, we are not paying the true cost of the materials. Cheap products usually include unethical labor practices, the use of chemicals and sub-par materials. This leads to products that do not last long and are difficult, if not impossible, to recycle or responsibly dispose of at the end of life.

I’ve got to say I love Aizome bedding. It is of a simple design and soft to the touch. The fitted bottom sheet is the first I have ever come across that does not contain an elastic band. Instead, simply pull tight a cotton drawstring to secure the sheet. I also like how they do not use buttons for the duvet cover, instead opting for cotton ties. I haven’t washed them yet, but am very satisfied. If you have the means to buy these sheets, they come highly recommended.

About the author:

Jonathan Levy is a environmental consultant who focuses on developing and implementing zero waste plans for businesses and municipalities. When he is not consulting, Jonathan is a blogger and social media influencer as Zero Waste Guy, where he shares tips and tricks for living a zero waste lifestyle.

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