Social entrepreneurship

At Bedding House we are committed to projects that support the well-being of people, both near and far. Our products are made with care in countries such as Pakistan, India, Turkey and China. We carefully select our manufacturers to ensure that good working conditions are observed. By regularly visiting our suppliers and even having our own team in Pakistan, we can monitor compliance with our standards and specifications. For us, social entrepreneurship is not just an aspiration, but a fundamental part of who we are. We believe that you should give back to the world, not just take.

Business has a big responsibility here. We can learn from inspiring initiatives like our project with UNICEF and reshape the industry. Instead of making millions of new products every season, we need to weave sustainability into our designs and the way we work. Less waste, more responsibility. Because what we do, we don’t just do for one place or one project – it’s about all of us.

We can change the world, one village at a time, one step towards sustainability and circularity at a time. Let’s take responsibility together: as companies, as industries, and as people. That way, we can give children worldwide a better future – a world where they can grow, thrive and hope.

Better Cotton

A few years ago, Bedding House set up a policy to make a positive contribution to a better and sustainable future. This awareness is increasingly taking shape, both inside and outside the company.

In 2017, we took the first important steps at the product level. Our activities were mainly focused on making cotton more sustainable by joining the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), of which we have been a member since 2016. In addition, we are committed to making things better for the people who work in and for our organization. The Better Cotton Initiative not only supports our product goals, but also monitors the working conditions of the people who work for our company.

Together for gender equality in the textile industry

At Beddinghouse, we feel a deep responsibility to make a positive impact. We operate in the textile industry, one of the most polluting sectors in the world. This awareness obliges us to look beyond profit and to take responsibility. For us, entrepreneurship is not just about taking, but also about giving. Contributing to a more sustainable and fairer world is therefore a core value that drives us as a company.

That is why we support initiatives such as the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which focuses on sustainability and social equality. BCI is committed to the emancipation of men and women and to the education of women and children. The impact of this is great: it strengthens the self-confidence of women and their position within their family and community. Because women generally spend 90% of their income on their family, this directly contributes to improved health care and education for children.

Yet we see that female workers in the cotton industry worldwide are still disadvantaged. They often have less job security, receive on average 25% to 30% less pay than men for the same work and have fewer opportunities for training or growth. Through BCI and local partners, such as in Afghanistan, we support projects that guide women in running cotton farms independently and provide them with the tools and knowledge to be successful.

In addition, we work with UNICEF to support projects that train and empower women and children. For us, education and gender equality are crucial pillars for a better future. By giving women a solid foundation, we not only help individuals, but also families and communities to progress.

Our involvement in these initiatives shows that a more sustainable, more just textile industry is possible. It is an industry where we not only work on better materials, but also on better opportunities for everyone. Together we can change the world step by step – with sustainability, equality and responsibility as our compass.

Our fight against child labor

Bedding House is against any form of child labour. We regularly visit our factories to see with our own eyes what is happening there. In addition, Bedding House employees in our production countries can check at any time whether children are being used in the production of our bed linen.

Bedding House is against any form of child labour. We regularly visit our factories to see with our own eyes what is happening there. In addition, Bedding House employees in our production countries can check at any time whether children are being used in the production of our bed linen.

Female farmer is role model in Pakistani cotton community

In Pakistan, around 1.5 million smallholder farmers depend on cotton for their livelihoods. However, the future of Pakistan’s cotton production will depend on whether men and women play an equal role in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Women cotton farmers can set powerful examples in their communities. In rural Pakistan, this means overcoming deeply held beliefs about the roles of men and women in the household and in the fields. BCI’s six implementing partners (IPs) in Pakistan are helping women take on more responsibility in the fields and even become independent farmers.

In the Vehari district of Punjab, BCI’s implementing partner, the Rural Education Economic and Education Development Society (REEDS), supported Almas Parveen, an ambitious and capable young woman of 27 years old. Almas’ family has been running a nine-hectare farm since 2009. Rather than outsource management to a third male farmer, Almas was determined to run the farm herself, grow healthy crops and produce the best possible yield to support her family. Almas’ farm was too small to qualify for REEDS’ BCI programme, which initially targeted medium-sized farms, but she was given the opportunity to participate in BCI’s training sessions and learn sustainable farming techniques. With support from REEDS, Almas completed the training and qualified as a Field Facilitator and began a paid position training local BCI farmers in March 2017.

Almas’ transition to a position of responsibility in her community was not smooth. She faced opposition from community members who did not approve of a young woman working alone and training male farmers. The farmers were also wary of Almas and questioned her right to train them. But Almas stood her ground. Over time, the farmers’ perceptions changed as her technical knowledge and sound advice resulted in tangible benefits on their farms. Anger turned to appreciation. She had gained the respect of the community.

Today, Almas trains 400 BCI farmers and supports other cotton farmers outside the BCI program. Almas increased yields and profits by 18% and 23% respectively on her own farm in 2017-18 (compared to 2016-17), and achieved a 35% reduction in pesticide use. The extra profits have helped her support her family and pay for her brother’s wedding. Importantly, Almas also wants to make a difference in her community, acting as a role model for female farmers and encouraging more girls and women to take up cotton farming.

Mercy Ships

Since 2019, Bedding House has supported the mission of Mercy Ships, an international organization that provides free medical care to people in developing countries. Mercy Ships operates the largest private hospital ships in the world, such as the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy . On board, life-changing operations are performed and local medical professionals are trained.

Our contribution? We supply bed linen for the hundreds of hospital beds on board these ships. In this way, we contribute to a comfortable and hospitable environment for patients and volunteers. It may seem like a small step, but the difference it makes for people who have often lived for years without access to care is enormous.

We proudly support an organization that brings hope and healing where it is needed most. Together we make the world a better place – one comfortable bed at a time.

Want to learn more about Mercy Ships or find out how you can help? Visit www.mercyships.org .