Dont throw it in the dryer with the rest of your clothes, though its better to hang it or lay it flat on a clothing rack and let it sit for several hours. Ethical down bedding, outerwear, and other products may be certified by organizations like the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) or Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS), both globally recognized programs for manufacturers developed in cooperation with animal welfare groups and the down industry. Historically, down was gathered from the nests of Eider ducks during the nesting season. However, synthetic materials like polyester are more common, and these products are not biodegradable. Both certifications issue their labels based on how the ethical down is sourced. Can Feather Down be Ethical and Eco-Friendly? - Ecocult The amount of down on a bird varies by species. The quilt itself is stuffed with 600-fill down. Ethically Sourced Down. Generally, down comes from the underbelly of these animals. These days, down jackets are a fashion symbol as much as they are a functional piece of outerwear, especially if you live in a place where outdoor activities hold cultural supremacy (looking at you, Boulder). The primary difference between down vs. down alternative is the filling: while down is sourced from the soft undercoat of birds, down alternative is made from a synthetic polyester material that mimics traditional down's natural softness. mobile app. Ethically-sourced animal and plant products, like wool, organic cotton, and down raised and harvested under humane standards, help keep synthetic fibers out of our oceans and groundwater. Best Anti-Snoring Mouthpieces & Mouthguards. The most sustainable thing you can do is buy fewer products and take care of them properly so they last longer. Now, if youre vegan, the answer here is obvious: go with the synthetic fill. NEMO produces ethically-sourced down sleeping bags in its Disco line, available in both womens and mens options. Down feathers can be squashed into a very small space, yet spring back into shape without losing any loft. If you are buying from a particular region or country that has less legal protection for workers, that is also an inherent risk. Feathers and organic fibers naturally break down in landfills or waterways and are even coveted by gardeners as soil amendments! and REI are two of the leaders, carrying a variety of companies that prioritize humane sourcing. While these recycled fills generally offer the same performance, consumers may not be able to trace the source of the feathers or ensure uniformity since they are sourced from multiple products. It's this property that keeps ducks and geese warm in very cold temperatures. Once harvested, the down is used to make the soft, compressible fill in bedding products like pillows and duvets. You can now find retailers that are committed to only using ethically-sourced down. Most/all fair trade products have a FAIRTRADE mark which shows that they have . RDS only requires from hatchling to final product. If not, what are the alternatives? Some companies also use recycled plastics to make the polyester fills. Whether you run, climb, hike, swim or bike it is likely that you have encountered the benefits of down insulation. Our favorite alternative down pillow is the. The outcry was met by multiple companies, such as. Like all animal-derived products, some sources and methods of production are more humane than others. Whether used in garments, sleeping bags, or bedding, down excels at keeping you warm. Enter the lot number to see where the down comes from, as well as testing results that show the full composition of the down. It is important to know the difference between each of these labels, scrutinise what companies are saying, and hold them accountable for all kinds of ethical considerations when creating the products and services that you pay for. We belong to communities that value environmental stewardship and ethical behaviour. See what is keeping you warm! The RDS certification is given only after an independent check of each step in a brand's supply chain for down. This certification does not refer to how the material is sourced, but simply means the quality and composition of the fill have been evaluated according to a set of standards and the claims on the product label are accurate. Find out if down pillows are right for you and see our guide for the best offered in 2021. According to PETA, plucking live birds causes considerable pain and distress. Blue Nile's Engagement Rings Are Ethically Sourced, Timeless, and Exquisite Buying only down that is ethically sourced is one way feel good about your down. Pretty cool way to know exactly what youre buying.. Down is the soft undercoating of feathers closest to a bird's skin. Some down comes from birds that are also being raised for meat, and many of these birds are force-fed or otherwise mistreated. It comes from birds that areprotected from live-plucking and force-feeding. Carry warmth, not weight. Womens Hill Walking Clothing. Despite the bad press around live-plucking, the down market is continuing to expand, and is expected to reach $8.2 million by 2015. A woman walks through a snowstorm in New York City. Note that high heat can ruin the jacket, so be conscious of the settings on your tumble dryer. Feathers, on the other hand, are two-dimensional in shape, and are based on a tubular quill shaft. To take care of your real down items, make sure to cover your down-stuffed comforter, pillows, etc with a natural fiber cover or even dust-mite repellent covers, and wear pajamas or long johns when sleeping in your down sleeping bag. Of course, those wholly opposed to using animal products can argue that all down - even down sourced from animals treated humanely is unethical by default. Ethical. Ethical Sourcing: Definition, Goals and Keys for Implementation We knew it was a problem crying out for a solution. Understanding Ethical Sourcing in the Supply Chain - Intertek It has become increasingly common to see companies marketing their products and services as ethically sourced, especially in industries like clothing, diamonds, coffee, and palm oil, which have well-known histories of unethical practices. From farm to factory, purveyors are surveyed to verify that there has been no live-plucking or force-feeding during any stage of the process. All rights reserved. Other birds were force-fed to enlarge their livers for use in foie gras. Only a handful of years ago, a trusted outdoor company made headlines by selling outdoor gear made from unethically sourced down. After identifying the parts of your supply chains that are ethically riskier, you can then focus on understanding the employment conditions and workers experiences at individual sites. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Downmark. [5]Unlike ethical sourcing, the term organic never refers to working conditions or labour rights. GTDS requires that the above requirements are met starting in. A shopper's guide to ethically-sourced down jackets Because down comes from birds. Today, most duck and goose down comes from animals raised for meat. Ethically Sourced Vs Fair Trade: What Are The Differences? It's this property that keeps ducks and geese warm in very cold temperatures. Thanks to RDS certification you can be sure that: Our recycled down is certified asRecycled Claim Standard 100 (RCS 100). Ethical sourcing is an approach to sourcing and supply chains. However, being an animal product, choosing down comes with some important ethical considerations. In recent years there have been a series of scandals overthe welfare of animals used in the down industry. Down has a structure that traps lots of pockets of insulating air for very little weight. Our favorite alternative down pillow is the Original Casper Pillow and our favorite alternative down comforter is the Buffy Comforter. It's made up of short, fine filaments that grow in clusters. Other birds were force-fed to enlarge their livers for use in foie gras. Yet, this simple requirement doesnt say anything about the birds quality of life. SleepFoundation.org does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment options. Are products with the same fill power down equivalent? There are, however, lots of ways to ensure you are buying ethically sourced down. While down products are typically fluffier, more durable, and compressible, bedding products filled with down alternatives are generally machine-washable. Well, dont get y Mens Hillwalking Clothing. The Truth About Sustainable Down And Feathers | Panaprium How to Find Ethical Real Down. TheResponsible Down Standard(RDS) is a voluntary code of practice that was established in cooperation with animal welfare groups and the down industry. Shop men's trousers & shorts, Fast-drying odour-free performance baselayers, Your home away from home. Downmark is a Canadian ethical-down certification. Ethical. Feathers, on the other hand, are a bit larger and pokier. Check out our top picks for the best down alternative comforters. While feathers do offer a bit of insulation, the weight-to-warmth ratio is nowhere near as high as a down plume. These products generally have a certification from Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Global Traceable Down Standard (GTDS), or Downpass. Additionally, since down products can last 10 to 15 years or more, its often possible to find quality pre-loved bedding items at vintage or secondhand retailers. Sitting round the campfire until the wee hours is much more enjoyable when your entire body is warm. We've beenusing 100% Responsible Down Standard certified goose down since March 2015! Check out our washing instructions here. For those who prefer not to use bedding products derived from animals, down alternative bedding closely mimics the properties of down and is typically less expensive. Men's Synthetic Insulated Puffy Jackets & Pants, Women's Synthetic Insulated Puffy Jackets & Pants. Because down jackets, in particular, are made with thin coatings and are generally designed to be packable, they are prone to punctures from sharp objects (were looking at you, bushwhackers). The Downmark certification ensures that products are genuine and humanely sourced. Before the public attention was drawn to the responsible production of down, it was not uncommon for birds to be treated with considerable cruelty. Once we have received your donations we forward them ontoRe:Down. The entire Feathered Friends line of down garments utilizes exceptionally lofty 900+ fill power goose down. To put things into perspective, supply chain management, the management of certain services, goods, and so on, revolved greatly around the topic of "ethically spruced". The jacket is also made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. All import charges covered. Architectural Digest thinks a $16,000 eiderdown duvet is worth it, saying that youre supporting a traditional and sustainable industry. The goose down and feather we use in scooms duvets and pillows is a by-product of the food industry. This is all just a general rule, though, so check the label on your specific product before tossing it in the washer to be safe. The world's trusted guide to sustainable and ethical fashion. If youve ever worn a waterproof jacket or a pair ofsoftshell walking trousers then you've probably already come into contact with PFCs perhaps With the right care, your down jacket and sleeping bag can last for years and years. If youlook after down properly, it will last fordecades far longer than modern synthetic alternatives. Down comforters are amazing, but they dont work for everyone. Is down sustainable? 'Ethical down': is the lining of your winter coat nothing but fluff? Instead, the certification denotes accurate information; to earn the ADFC stamp of approval, a company must list extensive information about where the down was sourced from. Ethical down refers to any down that passes the highest animal welfare standards and comes from birds that are protected from live-plucking and force-feeding. What Is Ethical Down? Why Does It Matter? | Mattress Advisor The advocacy group Textile Exchange released the Responsible Down Standard in 2014. What Does 'Ethically Sourced' Mean - Bossa Nova Ag Travel the world and youll see down worn by extreme mountain climbers and urban hipsters alike, largely for the same purpose: staying warm. Suppliers can receive an NSF Global TDS standard once their entire supply chain has been audited and any issues have been addressed. Ethically sourced down reassures shoppers that the feathers were gathered without doing unnecessary harm to animals. These are often easier to launder and much more affordable. Information is power Often found in outerwear, as well as comforters, pillows, and mattress toppers, down is the soft under plumage that serves as insulation beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. However, the term ethical sourcing tends to have more of a stress on the social impact and humane working conditions within supply chains over the environmental side. That means there are 9 ounces of down inside - regardless of what fill power the down is. Wash your down jackets, pants, or other wearables on a gentle cycle in warm water and use a down-specific soap. In fact, even the polyester used in the blanket is recycled. If you're ready for more, sign up to receive our email newsletter! Ethical down products are created using down thats procured with animal welfare in mind. When you think about the lives that you improve, its a small cost to pay. Historically, those geese and ducks havent been raised in good conditions, and the process for extracting the feathers has been harmful to the animals. is that the down cannot be sourced from live-plucked birds. Ethically sourced goose down. Is down ethical possible? But if youre not vegan, are trying to live plastic-free, and/pr live in an extremely cold northern city, or go on some serious hiking trips, then you should probably go with the real thing.
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