The Ethical Considerations of Our Down and What it Means to Us
We believe the very best sleep comes from knowing the bedding you sleep under is crafted from sustainably and ethically sourced materials.
It’s why so much consideration is given to how and where we source the down that goes into every quilt. It’s not just quality we look for. Our down quilts meet not one, but two of the strictest global standards for down products. It’s our no compromises approach to a good night’s sleep.
What to know about down?
Down refers to the soft, fluffy insulating layer that makes up the base of a bird’s covering.
Each cluster of down is made up of intricate tendrils. Every single one of these super-fine strands helps to trap warm air and heat within your bedding. It also enables the down to spread out so that it becomes an aerated little puff ball! This is what gives down the incomparable property of weightless warmth. Down is quill-less, so it does not have the sharp stem of a feather, and therefore is more resilient over the long-term than feathers. Down is super-soft, with impressive loft and volume.
Where does down come from?
We’ve found the very best down comes from the coldest regions in Europe. Living in natural settings allows these mature birds to develop superior quality down clusters to protect them from the harsh and hostile winter weather—creating a down that is as lightweight as it is warm.
What is ethical down?
As much as we care about comfort, we also deeply consider the environmental impact. Perhaps more than any other material, we take great care and responsibility when sourcing animal fibres. Welfare is a primary concern and one we take very seriously.
The down we source is harvested in concert with the food industry, ensuring the whole bird is used with minimal waste. This results in a lower carbon footprint than many synthetic materials.
And we only work with producers that reflect our company values and adhere to strict European standards for animal welfare. We build trusting, long-standing relationships with our suppliers for this very purpose.
Our down products come with certifications from the Responsible Down Standard and Downpass. Both certify farms as producing down and feathers from birds that are free from unnecessary harm and able to live and express normal behaviour.
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
The Responsible Down Standard certifies bedding as well as clothing. Outdoor adventurers are likely to be familiar with it’s frequent use certifying down-filled outerwear (like that North Face jacket hanging in your wardrobe).
RDS certification covers every stage of production, from hatchling to production of the finished product. It ensures that the feathers and down used in products only come from geese and ducks raised in compliance with strict animal welfare standards.
An on-site inspection is required to achieve certification. And this is valid for no more than 14 months, after which a follow-up audit must take place. This ensures continued compliance to the standards. Importantly, only products that contain 100% RDS certified down can carry the logo.
Downpass
A German certifying body, the Downpass standard, is primarily concerned with bedding. Like the Responsible Down Standard, Downpass certification covers animal welfare and ensures traceability throughout the supply chain.
Downpass certification involves an on-site inspection and random audits. The certification lasts only two years, with a subsequent audit needed to recertify. Downpass is a zero-tolerance standard. This ensures products labelled with the Downpass label only contain down that is ethically sourced from traceable supply chains.
Materials
We manufacture our feather and down products ensuring that they are encased using the highest quality fabrics and materials sourced from leading suppliers.
The European textile suppliers of our quilt and pillow shells are endorsed and in compliance with OEKO-TEX® . This ensures no harmful substances are used during the production process and that textile products pose no risk to health or safety.
Human health considerations
We take sleep seriously and believe that when your body is repairing itself at night, natural non-toxic materials are non-negotiable. All our feather and down is thoroughly cleaned and sterilised using a three-step non-toxic process involving air tumbling, gentle cleansing, and sanitising at high temperatures (130ºC for 30 minutes) to ensure high sanitation standards. In addition to this, the hygiene of the birds environment is of a very high standard, and their diet is a high-quality vegetarian diet, ensuring the reduction of any possible allergens.
Why certify?
We believe that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand, and we're committed to offering our customers products that reflect that belief. By demanding higher standards of our manufacturers, and passing on that knowledge to our customers, we believe the industry as a whole will improve.
The German distributor from whom we source our fillings is certified by Downpass and also complies with the strict regulations of the EU code 1069/2009 for the processing of feather and down. Purchasing an Abode product is your assurance of quality, sustainability, and longevity.
Longevity
We are firm believers in the “Buy less, buy better” principle. We strive to create superior products that stand up to the test of time and hold all of our suppliers to the same standards of quality. By reducing landfill and upholding sustainable practices, we can all rest assured that we are conserving and respecting the fineries of Mother Nature.