Frequently asked questions - FAQ
Questions in Recycling, Eco-responsible
Recycling, Eco-responsible (9)
From the cradle to the cradle
Posted: Jul 14, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
From the cradle to the cradle
As a differentiation from conventional recycling, the quality of the raw materials is maintained over several product life cycles and are exclusively used
As "safely rated chemicals". The production processes, the use and the recycling of the products are designed according to the model to maintain the quality of the raw materials over several life cycles. This means: no waste, everything is also nutrient.
Ecological and traceable raw materials
Posted: Jul 14, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
Ecological and traceable raw materials
Down and feather products
The downs and feathers used for our ORGANIC products come from GOTS-certified breeders from controlled biological animal husbandry.
Down are distinguished by their excellent insulating properties and respiratory activity in relation to their light weight. Despite the latest technology, no material has yet been developed which fulfills these properties in the same quality and is also completely biodegradable. Before filling, the down and feathers are thoroughly washed several times and are subject to strict, hygienic controls. These high-quality duvets and pillows are manufactured in the factory of Billerbeck Schweiz AG. The strict quality control is carried out without any gaps according to Swiss criteria.
Natural fiber products
High-quality, natural fiber products are a good alternative to bedding made from down and feathers. For these ORGANIC products, we rely on wool and cotton fibers from biologically controlled crops. Only renewable and organic materials are used.
GOTS Certified
Posted: Jul 14, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
The entire range is GOTS certified
With the new ORGANIC range for natural bedding, Billerbeck is an independent, acknowledged sustainability and organic label for GOTS.
All products of the Billerbeck ORGANIC range are certified by the internationally recognized GOTS label.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a world-leading label for the processing of textiles made from biologically produced natural materials. GOTS defines in detail the environmental requirements for the entire textile production.
Quality assurance is ensured by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. This ensures the sustainable production of bedding - from raw material to packaging.
In addition, GOTS defines significant social criteria, which the participating companies consciously respect and live with.
Sustainability and environmental orientation are values ??that Billerbeck identifies. On this basis the new ORGANIC range was developed, which is manufactured in a resource-saving production.
Organic
Posted: Jul 14, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
New ORGANIC assortment
From Billerbeck
More and more people in our society attach a particular importance to a nature-conscious way of life.
Sustainability, environmental orientation and conservation of natural resources are key principles that are increasingly reflected in many areas of life, such as mobility, nutrition and lifestyle.
For these particularly nature-oriented consumers, Billerbeck has developed the ORGANIC segment, which consists of sustainably produced bed linen. Billerbeck ORGANIC stands for a natural and at the same time recuperative sleeping culture. In order to additionally underline Billerbeck's requirements, the ORGANIC products are certified with the recognized GOTS standard.
Billerbeck ORGANIC offers a complete bedding set of natural materials. The duvets, pillows, neck support pillows and toppers are manufactured fairly and sustainably. At the same time they convince by the typical Billerbeck quality from selected top materials - for a deep and restful sleep.
With Billerbeck ORGANIC, a unique product range has been developed which is a natural and at the same time recuperative sleeping culture - as a growing customer groups desire
Oeko-tex
Posted: Apr 10, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
Introduction
The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used. Examples of articles that can be certified: raw and dyed/finished yarns, woven and knitted fabrics, accessories, such as buttons, zip fasteners, sewing threads or labels, ready-made articles of various types (garments of all types, domestic and household textiles, bed linen, terry products and much more).
Criteria
Since its introduction in 1992, the central focus of the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® has been the development of test criteria, limit values and test methods on a scientific basis. On the basis of its comprehensive and strict catalogue of measures, with several hundred regulated individual substances, the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® takes account of:
- Important legal regulations, such as banned Azo colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel, etc.
- Numerous harmful chemicals, even if they are not yet legally regulated.
- Requirements of Annexes XVII and XIV of the European Chemicals Regulation REACh as well as of the ECHA SVHC Candidate List insofar as they are assessed by expert groups of the OEKO-TEX® Association to be relevant for fabrics, textiles, garments or accessories. Discussions and developments that are considered to be relevant are taken into account as quickly and effectively as possible through updates to the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® requirements.
- Requirements from the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regarding lead.
- Numerous also environmentally relevant substance classes
With its decades of experience, the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 therefore contributes to high and effective product safety from a consumer’s point of view. Test criteria and limit values in many cases go far beyond applicable national and international standards. Extensive product checks and regular company audits also ensure that the industry has a globally sustainable awareness of the responsible use of chemicals. With this concept, the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 has taken on a pioneering role for many years.
Reuse of packaging
Posted: Apr 9, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible
For ecological reasons, we reuse the cartons and packaging of our products received, for shipments to customers. It may therefore happen that the new products are packed in reused cartons.
VSB
Posted: Apr 9, 2017 in Hygiene, care and allergies, Recycling, Eco-responsible, Labels and brands
Putting our customers first
The largest Swiss manufacturers of down duvets and feather pillows founded the Swiss Bedding Manufacturer’s Association (VSB) over 50 years ago.
Our primary goal is to provide greater clarity and confidence for customers purchasing bedding. That is why the “Swiss Guaranty VSB” quality seal was created by the VSB in 2001.
The quality seal replaced the previous „plumarex“ label.
The “Swiss Guaranty VSB” quality seal can only be used by Swiss Bedding Manufacturer’s Association members who have agreed to comply with the established quality standards. “Swiss Guaranty VSB” is a quality seal that ensures a maximum of clarity and confidence when you purchase bedding
- Completely natural. Only pure, natural goose and duck down and feathers have been used.
- Animal welfare. All the down and feathers have been plucked from dead animals.
- Hygienic. The down and feathers have been cleaned according to strict hygiene regulations and
dried at temperatures in excess of 100% to render them completely germ free. - Protection against mites. The covering material for both down duvets and feather pillows has been
woven so closely that mites are unable to penetrate the fabric. - Environmentally friendly. The down and feathers have been washed using biodegradable detergents.
- Recycling. The manufacturers work in association with Texaid to take back all the down duvets and feather pillows that are no longer required for environmentally friendly recycling.
- Clarity. All goods declarations concerning down and feather content comply with strict Swiss
standards. - Confidence. There is a two-year manufacturers guarantee of flawless quality on every duvet as
long as you care for your duvet according to the tips on the duvet label. - Protection. Should a difference of opinion arise between consumer and manufacturer concerning compliance with the terms of this quality guarantee, the consumer can refer the matter to the
VSB arbitration board
Where can I take discarded down duvets or feather pillows to be correctly disposed of?
Posted: Apr 9, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible
The Swiss Bedding Manufacturer’s Association works in close association with Texaid to assure the orderly disposal of down duvets and feather pillows bearing the “Swiss Guaranty VSB” quality seal. The duvets and pillows can be placed inside the designated bags and left outside on the next Texaid collection day or put inside the special Texaid clothing containers. The bags can be obtained from your local specialist bedding retailer or from the VSB central office. In addition, Texaid carries out collections in conjunction with VSB members that are announced in the local media.
The collected duvets are then either reconditioned or sent on for professional recycling. This, of course, poses no environmental problem since down and feathers are entirely natural products, unlike synthetics.
By giving your down duvets or feather pillows to Texaid, you are not only protecting the environment, but also making a valuable contribution to the following Texaid associated relief organisations which receive part of the proceeds:
- Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz (Swiss Red Cross)
- Winterhilfe Schweiz (Swiss Winter Aid)
- Schweizerisches Arbeiterhilfswerk (Swiss Workers Relief Organisation)
- CARITAS Switzerland
- KOLPING Schweizer Kolpingwerk (Swiss Kolping Organisation)
- HEKS Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen der Schweiz (Swiss Interchurch Aid)
Do you pick up old mattresses and bedframes and so on ?
Posted: Apr 9, 2017 in Recycling, Eco-responsible
We get rid of the old beds, mattresses and so on.
Thank you to inform us in advance so we can make arrangements.