It’s possible to find an environmentally friendly bean bag chair if you know what to look for. Here we discuss what to look for. Bamboo is a great example of a natural, eco-friendly material that is sometimes used in the outer cover of sustainable bean bag chairs.
Bean bag chairs are becoming increasingly popular as more research is conducted into the benefits they can provide to their users. However, when searching for bean bag chairs, it often becomes clear that they aren’t the most sustainable product. Good news: it is possible to find an environmentally friendly bean bag chair if you know what to look for. You don’t want to miss out on the benefits of these chairs, but reducing your use of unsustainable products is also important. When looking for a bean bag chair, be sure to focus on these factors to ensure you are making an environmentally friendly decision. The outer cover should be made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton or bamboo-derived fabrics.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Options
Choosing eco-friendly options for your bean bags brings a host of benefits for both you and the planet. By selecting bean bags made from sustainable materials, such as shredded natural latex, organic cotton, and recycled materials, you’re actively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a healthier environment. These eco-friendly bean bags are crafted without harmful chemicals, making them a safe and non-toxic choice—especially important for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Natural materials such as rubber tree sap and organic cotton are not only gentle on the skin but also biodegradable, ensuring your bean bag won’t contribute to long-term waste. Additionally, eco-friendly options often offer superior comfort and breathability, allowing you to relax knowing your bean bag is not only beneficial for the planet but also for your well-being. Environmental certifications ensure that bean bag chairs are made from sustainable materials, providing you with confidence in your eco-friendly choice. By making the switch to sustainable materials, you’re helping to create a cleaner, greener world—one comfy seat at a time.
What Factors Do I Need To Look For In An Environmentally Friendly Bean Bag?
Type of Filling
Many of the benefits of bean bag chairs come from the unique filling. The filling of bean bag chairs is what provides them with the comfort levels and ergonomic shape that can’t be found anywhere else. When choosing a bean bag filling, it’s important to consider eco-friendliness, safety, and the environmental impact of the materials used. Yet, the most common filling for bean bag chairs is expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene is a manmade plastic, similar to the more commonly known polystyrene. The production of polystyrene is environmentally damaging due to the use of harsh chemicals. In comparison, polystyrene beads and polystyrene beans are also synthetic options often used as bean bag filling. Still, they can emit VOCs and pose health risks, especially if ingested or inhaled by children. Although it is the most common filler used in bean bag chairs, expanded polystyrene is not biodegradable. Thankfully, expanded polystyrene isn’t your only option when choosing fillings for bean bag chairs. The most eco-friendly way to fill your bean bag chair is with natural materials. However, there are alternative bean bag fillers. Typically, natural materials to fill will be:
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Dried beans
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Buckwheat husk
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Dried rice
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Dried corn
Foam is another alternative bean bag filling, and it’s best to choose foam that is CertiPUR-US certified to ensure it meets safety and environmental standards. When selecting any bean bag filling, it’s essential to avoid harmful additives to ensure your bean bag is non-toxic and safe for your home environment.
Interestingly, this is actually where beanbags got their name - because, originally, bean bags were full of dried beans. When considering which filling to use, think about how quickly the filling will need to be replaced and whether it will provide the stability and comfort you desire. The great thing about choosing your own ecologically friendly filling is that you can pick the filling that suits you and your needs best. Some eco-friendly bean bag fillings are certified by the Global Recycled Standard, ensuring responsible sourcing and manufacturing through third-party verification.
Natural Latex Bean Bag Chairs
Natural latex bean bag chairs are a standout choice for anyone seeking an eco-friendly, comfortable, and durable seating solution. These bean bags are filled with shredded natural latex, which is derived from the sap of the rubber tree—a renewable resource that’s both biodegradable and non-toxic. The natural latex filling offers excellent breathability and support, making your bean bag chair uniquely comfortable for long periods of use. Because natural latex is resistant to mould and mildew, your bean bag will stay fresh and last longer, even in humid environments. Additionally, natural latex is hypoallergenic, making these bean bags an ideal choice for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies. Natural latex used for filling bean bags is biodegradable, mold and mite-resistant, and naturally antimicrobial. With their combination of durability, comfort, and environmental responsibility, natural latex bean bag chairs are a smart, sustainable addition to any home.
Organic Cotton Bean Bags
Organic cotton bean bags are another fantastic, eco-friendly option, offering a soft, breathable, and durable fabric that’s gentle on even the most sensitive skin. Made from organic cotton, these bean bags are free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals, making them a safe and non-toxic choice for families and children. The natural fibres of organic cotton provide a comfortable, cozy feel while also being strong enough to withstand daily use. Because organic cotton is biodegradable, choosing these bean bags helps reduce waste and supports a more sustainable lifestyle. If you’re looking for a bean bag that combines comfort, durability, and environmental responsibility, organic cotton bean bags are a perfect fit.
Easy Refills
In conjunction with finding eco-friendly filling or organic bean bag filler for your bean bag chair, it is essential to make sure your bean bag chair is refillable. The process of refilling a bean bag chair should be straightforward and mess-free, allowing you to add new filling materials as needed easily. When refilling your bean bag chair, you are extending the life of one product. If you have to replace your whole bean bag chair every time you find it starting to sag, it may become unsustainable. With easy refills, all you need to buy is the filling occasionally. This is both cost-effective and reduces the need for the repurchase of any unavoidable non-eco-friendly parts.
Material Of The Bean Bag Sack
The sacks of bean bag chairs are typically made of polyester. Polyester is a synthetic material made from oil. Oil, as a non-renewable fossil fuel, is intensely non-eco-friendly. Some alternatives have included leather, corduroy, fake fur, and suede - all materials that also have negative ecological impacts. Fortunately, with a growing awareness of ecologically friendly materials, there are now other options available. A popular eco-friendly material for bean bag sacks is linen. Linen is soft to the touch (perfect for a comfortable bean bag), and its production is mostly eco-friendly. As with most production processes, it isn't easy to make linen perfectly eco-friendly, but its production comes a lot closer than that of most other materials. The plant from which linen is derived (flax) requires minimal energy and water to produce, and therefore has a relatively low environmental impact.
Additionally, it lasts for up to twenty years, ensuring your bean bag remains of high quality. Alternatively, some bean bags are made of cotton. It is essential to ensure that your bean bag is made from organic cotton, not just regular cotton. Regular cotton can be filled with pesticides, which harm the environment. Organic cotton, however, is made naturally clean. With this material, you should find it easy to obtain an environmentally friendly bean bag chair. Choosing the right material can be challenging, but it will have a significant impact on the environment.
Quality Of The Bean Bag Sack
Ensuring the material you choose for your bean bag sack is of high quality is crucial for finding an environmentally friendly bean bag chair. If your material easily rips, breaks, or wears down, it will need to be replaced. With each new sack purchased, new production will be required, contributing to pollution and adverse ecological effects. Choose your material wisely. You want one that will last for a long time and is easy to upkeep.
Safe & Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Considering you are aiming to have the same bean bag chair, which you replace the interior beans for now and again, there will be a level of cleaning necessary. Cleaning products are among the largest contributors to ecological damage at present. Chemicals from cleaning products contribute to water pollution, harming ecosystems with their detrimental effects. Choosing eco-friendly cleaning products that are both safe for your bean bag and the environment can make a real difference.
Sustainable companies
If you are buying a whole beanbag from one company, or just the beans or sack, it is essential to ensure they are a sustainable company. Any move towards eco-friendly living is a good move, but sometimes you can cancel out the good you are doing if you are paying money to a corporation that destroys the planet. Being mindful of where you shop can help the planet. A quick way to determine if a corporation is eco-friendly is to conduct some research. How does the corporation spend its money? What kind of other products do they sell? Sometimes the smartest way to shop is to shop small. Small businesses, by their very nature, are often more ecologically minded because they have more control over the entire enterprise.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Environmentally friendly packaging is a crucial part of the eco-friendly bean bag experience. Many brands are now committed to reducing waste by using paper-based, plastic-free packaging that is both biodegradable and non-toxic. This shift away from traditional plastic packaging helps minimise environmental impact and ensures that your purchase is as sustainable as possible from start to finish. Some companies take it a step further by creating packaging from recycled materials, such as recycled plastic bottles, thereby giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. By choosing bean bags from brands that prioritise eco-friendly, recycled, and plastic-free packaging, you’re helping to reduce waste and protect the environment with every purchase.
Comparison of Bean Bag Brands
When searching for the best eco-friendly bean bag, it’s important to compare brands that prioritise sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Leading brands like White Lotus Home, Brentwood Home, and Toki offer a variety of bean bags made from recycled materials, natural latex, and organic cotton. These brands are committed to reducing their carbon footprint by using sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes. When comparing bean bag options, consider the type of material used—whether it’s natural latex, organic cotton, or recycled materials—as well as the durability and comfort of the bag. Look for brands that are transparent about their sourcing and production methods, and that hold certifications for environmentally friendly practices. Brentwood Home's bean bags are made with REPREVE fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. By choosing a bean bag from a brand that values sustainability, you can enjoy a comfy, supportive seat that’s as good for the environment as it is for your home.
So You've Found The Perfect Environmentally Friendly Bean Bag Chair: What Now?
Your bean bag chair is great for the environment - it’s sustainable, reusable and vegan. But you still want it to be a good bean bag chair. Otherwise, what’s the point? Eco-friendly bean bag chairs are also a great choice for kids, offering safety, comfort, and sizes tailored for children's playrooms and bedrooms. Making sure you’re environmentally friendly also serves well as a bean bag chair will ensure you use it frequently. A bean bag chair can be a versatile addition to any room, serving as seating, a lounging spot, or even a play area for kids. Some eco-friendly options are designed as uniquely supportive bean bags, utilising Envee beans for superior comfort and support compared to traditional fillings. Envee® Beans are made from 100% plant-based materials and produce fewer greenhouse gases than traditional fillings. You want something practical as well as sustainable. So here’s what to look for in your bean bag chair, alongside the environmental factors.
Comfort
A bean bag chair should be comfortable. The fabric of your bean bag sack will significantly determine whether or not you feel drawn to sit on it, so ensure it is soft and appealing to you. Whether you are reading, watching TV, or just chatting to people, you want to feel comfortable. Make sure you choose with this in mind.
Eco-friendly bean bag fillings, such as recycled foam, are also commonly used in scatter cushions, providing added comfort and sustainability.
Ergonomic
Research shows bean bag chairs are excellent for improving and maintaining good posture. The ability of bean bag chairs to mould to the shape of the person sitting on it means your back shouldn't be forced into uncomfortable positions. In addition, the firm-soft balance of the filling provides support for your back, creating the perfect seat for improved posture. Bean bag chairs will provide relief for your back, neck and legs. Ensuring you have chosen the right stuffing for both ecological reasons and support will create a winning combination for the health of both you and the planet.
Size
Choosing the right-sized bean bag chair can depend on several factors. How big is the room where you hope to put it? Are you particularly tall or short? This factor ties nicely with the last. You want your bean bag chair to suit you, so ensuring it is the right size for your lifestyle is important.
Lightweight
You want your bean bag chair to be lightweight. This is one of the great strengths of bean bag chairs: that they can be picked up and moved around. The ability to move your bean bag chair means it can be used in any room of the house, depending on your needs. An environmentally friendly bean bag chair can easily be taken to your friends' houses to try, convincing them to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Colour
You may want to think about the colour you want. Choosing eco-friendly fabrics can often limit the available colours, but usefully, the colours usually used (white, light brown, dark brown, grey) are nice neutral colours that will fit into most decorating styles.
Environmentally Friendly Bean Bag Chairs Are The Way Forward
Understanding how to select an environmentally friendly bean bag chair can help you make more conscious purchasing decisions. If you are interested in getting a bean bag chair for your health, it also makes sense to consider the health of the planet. Whether you make a few small changes or try to make the whole bean bag chair environmentally friendly, finding the right issues to change can be made easier with this list. Remember: even a small change can make a big impact. Hopefully, when you choose your bean bag, you will find it makes a big difference in your life for the better. Thanks to your actions, the planet should feel that way too.
