**LEGAL DISCLAIMER- This mattress is not Certified Organic, only the raw latex core is Certified to be harvested from organic rubber trees which consists of approx 95% of the total mattress. Documentation and serial numbers available on request**
Our latex comes from farmers who restrict a huge part of their rubber tree crop and kept it free from chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides for many years until it was finally received the GOLS organic certification in both the US and EU. Also, a large part of the manufacturing facility had to also be sectioned off and kept completely sterile. This is a major expense and huge undertaking to accomplish Milkmen dedication to the earth and our environment has been nothing short of amazing.
Here's what our supplier had to say about this long journey-
In order to meet the requirements for certification the rubber is isolated in a section of the plantation. The USDA requires that there be no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used on the trees or ground for no less than 4 years before any latex sap can be collected. After purging for 4 years the sap is collected and stored in a separate facility. It is then mixed, poured, processed, washed and packaged separately using separate equipment so as not to get contaminated by environmental conditions. You'll notice that even the pincore pattern of the Organic latex is somewhat different from the regular (all natural) Naturalux latex. That is because the newly commissioned molds used to produce the Organic are used solely for that purpose and never used to produce other products like the Naturalux, assuring that there is no co-mingling, residue or trace contamination. The material is also packaged in heavy gauge black plastic to reduce exposure to sunlight and florescent lighting and stored separately in Chatsworth, CA.
This has been a long and costly process requiring years of commitment, diligence and investment but the results are mattress cores and toppers made with GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) Certified Organic Latex.
We at Arizona Premium Mattress Company, Phoenix, AZ are proud to be one of if not THE first latex mattress manufacturers to bring this incredible product to the states and offer it at our normal factory direct discounted prices. Of course this product will command an extremely high dollar when it finally hits the retail mattress stores but you now have the opportunity to own a modern marvel at a fair and honest price.
Construction is simple: One 6" Dunlop Processed Latex Core made with Certified Organic. It's available in soft, medium or firm along with a 2" soft topper of the same material. Finished off with our organic cotton zippered cover which is the same one we use on our
Natural Talalay Latex model.
Within "green" marketing terms, there is a listing of various terms such as "natural, all-natural, eco-friendly, light green" and of course "organic". These various terms have not been clear to mattress manufacturers, retailers or consumers. One term; however, has been defined by both US agencies such as the USDA Natural Organic Program (NOP), and international agencies such as the International Working Group (IWG) for Global Organic Textiles Standards (GOTS); that is the term "Organic".
According to the Specialty Sleep Association Definitions and Terminology guide, "GOTS guidelines state that textile products that claim to be organic or organic in conversion" require that 95% or more of the fibers must be certified organic (or in conversion) origin. In addition to the above agencies and requirements there are also other international agencies, testing labs, certifications and standards such as European Union (EU), Control Union World Group in the Netherlands, ECO Institute (testing and certification), and the well-known OekeTex standards for natural products and processes.
As the organic program begins at the plantation, it is essential that a careful study be conducted for converting the traditional plantation to an organic field. This involves the selection of an ideal site, water supply and quality, soil type and crop selection. The importance of selecting an ideal site assures the physical characteristics of the overall field site. This includes the condition of the soil depth, water content, condition and consistency of the airflow throughout the plantation field. The consistent airflow ensures the maximum use of carbon dioxide to enhance latex production naturally. (More natural latex produced will help reduce the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.)
Soil type refers to the physical composition and properties of the soil. Soils consist of decomposed mineral matter (sand, sediment and clay) and decomposed organic matter. Water quality is equally as important as is soil structure when selecting the field site. The water used in latex irrigation should contain less than 400 ppm soluble deposits. Therefore, it is critical to keep away from water resources containing high levels of toxic elements such as Boron or Aluminum. All these factors will influence the harvest of well-balanced Natural Organic latex material that will be inline with the guidelines laid out by USDA/ NOP & EU standards.
The process controls do not stop at this level. The certified latex will be bulked-tanked, centrifuged and then transported to the factory for production. This course of action is handled by various equipment and facilities that are exclusively assigned for organic latex storage and processing in order to ensure the organic status. Furthermore, to maintain the authenticity of the product, the production of latex cores, toppers and pillows are made in a production line that is has been designated exclusively for organic product.