This post is sponsored by Panda, all thoughts my own.
I love sleep. No matter what’s going on, I always try and prioritise good rest every night. Not only is it a key factor for health, it’s also key for longevity in the often-tiring world of climate justice activism. As we try and create a better world for future generations, rest is vital to pushing back on a culture of rampant capitalism, extraction and overconsumption.
Insufficient sleep is a major problem across the world. A lot of this requires systemic solutions to major issues: no one is sleeping soundly when they don’t know when their next meal is, if they have to flee their home, or if they’re being oppressed. These are key issues that climate justice works for, to build an equitable world where everyone has access to the things they need for good quality of life. These big fights and long term struggles are vital, and the more of us get involved, the easier they become to achieve.
But what about living out those values at home? If we want a world without exploitation, there are also choices we can make now to support those doing better. When I upgraded to a larger mattress recently I was without the right bedding for the first time in many, many years. Luckily I found Panda, who make comfortable bedding that also aligns with my ethical and sustainable values, to help me out.
Sustainable & ethical bedding
Panda’s bedding is made with bamboo lyocell fabric. Their bamboo is grown organically, without any fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides, and sourced from FSC-approved forests to make it cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. No harmful chemicals are used in the production of their bamboo material either, so the surrounding areas are safe from toxic pollution.
Bamboo grows incredibly fast, but only requires a third of the water cotton needs to grow. It grows up to three feet per day, relies on rainfall, sequesters carbon and releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent area of trees. Panda specifically uses Moso, Dragon and Ci Bamboo for their bedding. The plants’ natural antifungal and antibacterial agent means they are not attacked by pests or pathogens, but it’s also not the type of bamboo that pandas eat, keeping wildlife protected.
Bamboo lyocell is made from the pulp of these bamboo plants using a closed-loop process. It’s more sustainable than other forms of bamboo fabric, using non-toxic solvents, which are completely reused along with any water to produce very little waste. Both this process and their dyeing use the same closed-loop system, filtering out water to reuse it in agricultural irrigation.
The pulp is then turned into fibres and woven into fabric. Panda only works with ethically run factories, with monitored supply chains and strict standards for human welfare, and all suppliers required to meet the ethical standards of SMETA. Their dyes are all non-toxic and eco-friendly, complying with Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Group’s restricted substances list. Overall, their dyes reduce water and energy consumption by up to 50%, salt consumption by 20% and overall cycle time by 25%.
All products are also Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, an international testing and certification system primarily working to limit harmful chemicals in the textile industry. The certification body tests for over 100 harmful substances in the manufacture of textiles, keeping items free from toxins such as formaldehyde & toluene diisocyanate.
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The benefits of bamboo
Bamboo lyocell as a fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, keeping things like dust mites and bed bugs at bay, alongside an in-built antimicrobial enzyme that naturally repels harmful bacteria known to irritate sensitive skin and cause unpleasant odours. It’s also naturally moisture-wicking and highly breathable, encouraging airflow to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Most importantly for sustainable long-term thinking, bamboo lyocell is incredibly durable, which is better for the planet and our purses. The best way to care for bamboo bedding is to wash it at a low temperature. It then dries without the need for fabric softeners or the tumble dryer, reducing energy usage at home. Simply line dry to keep everything soft and fresh. In fact, Panda is so confident in their durability, they offer a full 10-year guarantee period.
Flight-free & low-waste
Beyond the bedding itself, Panda’s packaging is made from recycled and recyclable paper, alongside 100% biodegradable kraft paper for boxes and acid-free tissue paper, which is non-toxic and biodegradable. They also avoid single-use plastic wherever possible. Bedding is delivered in reusable bamboo bags, bedding ranges use 100% bamboo buttons to make them completely plastic-free and biodegradable and, when something does require plastic, they use LDPE which can be recycled.
Delivery is also flight-free: products are imported by sea which makes their carbon footprint 1/10th of what it would be by air courier. Carbon-neutral couriers complete 95% of UK and European deliveries; with renewable energy in sorting hubs and electric fleets in cities, while also moving towards 100% electric fleets.
My review
Disclaimer: while I love sleep, I also am one of the people that can struggle sometimes! Not only am I an incredibly light sleeper, I take medication that can really affect my sleep and my temperature through the night.
I can genuinely say, hand on heart, that this bedding has helped. It’s wonderfully soft and comfortable, the sheets have helped my temperature regulation and I find it easier to both fall and stay asleep because of it. I love this bedding, and would definitely recommend it for others to try! It’s now easier than ever to reflect your values in your day to day life thanks to people like Panda, giving us great rest to keep fighting for people and planet every day.
