BedPost

Mattress Hell

According to research conducted by the Better Sleep Council, consumers do not look forward to purchasing a new mattress. The process of shopping for a mattress is certainly one of the reasons that discourage consumers from replacing their sleep set. Approximately one-third of consumers agree that the thought of going out to purchase a mattress makes them anxious. This is particularly the case for women and younger consumers (18-34 year olds). Women (16%) are significantly more likely than men (8%) to be anxious about the thought of purchasing a new mattress, as are 18-34 year olds (38%) in comparison to older respondents (18%).

Apparently, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins shares the same sentiment as our research has found.

HELL
By Billy Collins

I have a feeling that it is much worse
than shopping for a mattress at a mall,
of greater duration without question,
and there is no random pitch forking here,
no licking flames to fear,
only this cavernous store with its maze of bedding.

Yet wandering past the jovial kings,
the more sensible queens,
and the cheerless singles
no scarlet sheet will ever cover,

I am thinking of a passage from the Inferno
which I could fully bring to mind
and recite in English or even Italian

if the salesman who has been following us—
a crumpled pack of Newports
visible in the pocket of his short sleeve shirt—
would stop insisting for a moment
that we test this one, then this softer one,

which we do by lying down side by side,
arms rigid, figures on a tomb,
powerless to imagine what it would be like
to sleep or love this way
under the punishing rows of fluorescent lights,
which Dante might have included
had he been able to lie on his back between us here today.

(Horoscopes for the Dead [New York: Random House, 2011] p. 30.)

 

Up to our ears in trash

Ever think about what goes into your trash on a daily basis? (We know…gross.) But seriously, really think about it. Last week’s leftovers, a glass that broke and shattered in the sink, a greasy pizza box, those annoying flyers from the mail, an egg carton, packages to a few frozen meals, scraps from making dinner, last month’s magazine, a slew of dirty diapers, used paper towels from cleaning the windows, a t-shirt that was ruined in the wash …

Bottom line, all that stuff has to go somewhere, and it all adds up.

According to a survey conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2008, the average amount of waste generated by each person in America per day was 4.5 pounds. 1.1 pounds of that was recycled, and .4 pounds, including yard waste, was sent to composting. In total, only 24.3% of waste was recycled, 8.9% was composted, and 66.8% was sent to a landfill or incinerated.

4.5 pounds of garbage. EVERY DAY. Let’s use a little math here…4.5 lbs a day x 365 days a year, and the average American lives to be 78.4 years old. Sooo, on average we toss 128,115 lbs of garbage away in our lifetime!!! That’s A LOT of garbage, not to mention that doesn’t take into account some of the larger items like mattresses, pillows, cars, couches, electronics, etc.  Getting a visual yet?

With all that “stuff” being tossed, one has to ask themselves, “are we going to run out of space at some point?” The simple answer is “not for awhile” but that isn’t the whole answer.

Although it won’t happen for awhile, you have to take into consideration that not all states are the same. A landfill deficit in one state means that their trash will have to travel to another state.

BioCycle conducts a biennial assessment of America's trash capacity called "The State of Garbage in America." Arkansas reported enough capacity to go more than 600 years without opening another facility. (Way to go, Arkansas!) Massachusetts and Rhode Island, on the other hand, have just 12 years of capacity remaining. New York, despite shipping most of the Big Apple's trash across state lines, has only 25 years of capacity left.

Even though 12 years may seem like a ways off, we have to think of our future generations and be proactive in creating less waste and more recycling opportunities. What do you think are simple ways to help lessen waste in landfills? Let’s start with our industry first—mattresses.

Share your thoughts here, or on our new Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

So at the end of the day, what’s your footprint?

High Point Market…a rookie's perspective

The alarm began to buzz at 3:00 am, and after I realized that it wasn't a mean prank, that I really was catching a 5:20 am flight out of Baltimore, I jumped out of bed excited for my first High Point Furniture Market.  The trip to BWI, Charlotte then Greensboro went off without a hitch, was upgraded at the AVIS counter, and found parking right downtown! (Nevermind the fact that it was $20...)

I eagerly searched for Main Street and the IHFC building. After picking up my admission badge, I headed up to the 5th floor of the building to begin my journey. Who knew there were so many lighting, furniture, fixture, home accent, and of course BEDDING options. I guess the team at High Point did!  Vegas had prepared me but to see it all again, was impressive.

After about three hours and seeing some of the most fantastic beds available, we headed to lunch and were greeted by more ISPA members. I must say, and maybe I am prejudice, but we have a fantastic industry full of interesting, fun, and down right good people!  I saw a number of new products including foundations, foam beds, spring beds, toppers, new lines, updated lines, a ribbon cutting and some pretty creative and modern advertising approaches. WELL DONE BEDDING!! 

Sunday morning began with pancakes and coffee and one of High Points best kept secrets while enjoying the company of one well-known FT journalist. Day 2 at market was filled with more great products and great people. I saw a lot of people carrying around stuffed animals and I tried to barter two for my kids, but no such luck. Exhausted and yet energized, I said good bye to High Point and while I drove back to Greensboro in the warm Carolina sun, I thought about what new things I might see this fall!  

I look forward to seeing more great ideas and concepts in Vegas. And when I see you, please… don't ask me what my favorite bed is, that's like asking me which child is my favorite! Here's just a taste of what I experienced at the Market!

High Point Market 2011 from Karin Mahoney on Vimeo.