Source: UNICEF Netherlands

Bedding House x UNICEF

Building a sustainable future together

At Beddinghouse we believe that sustainability is more than just producing environmentally friendly products. It is also about creating a positive social impact. That is why we are proud to be a UNICEF Business Buddy and support projects that really make a difference. Two initiatives are central to this: thePlastic Bricks project and the transformation of Climate Smart Villages .

Innovation with plastic bricks

The Plastic Bricks project in Ivory Coast is an inspiring example of how waste is given a second life. Plastic is turned into building blocks, which are used to build schools and give children access to better education. In doing so, we not only relieve the burden on the environment, but also give hope and opportunities to future generations. This fits in perfectly with our commitment to sustainable bed linen and reducing the footprint of the textile industry.

Climate-resilient villages in Madagascar

Henriette van Beynum, director of Beddinghouse, recently visited Madagascar to see for herself how the Climate Smart Villages project is changing lives. In collaboration with UNICEF, villages are transformed into self-sufficient communities. Smart solutions for water management, education and local entrepreneurship make these communities more resilient to the effects of climate change. “You can’t live on aid alone,” says Henriette. “Economic activity is essential, but in a way that makes the community self-sufficient.” These villages are showing impressive changes: clean drinking water, better education and opportunities for families to do business sustainably. Special attention is paid to the position of women. “If women are given the space, everything goes better,” Henriette emphasizes.

Why these projects?

The challenges in countries like Madagascar and Ivory Coast are immense. Madagascar is among the countries hardest hit by climate change. With 78% of the population living in poverty and almost half of children malnourished, action is more urgent than ever. Supporting projects like Plastic Bricks and Climate Smart Villages helps communities become stronger, more resilient and more sustainable.

Our shared responsibility

As Beddinghouse, we feel a deep responsibility to contribute to a better world. The textile industry has a large ecological footprint, and we want to change that. By working together with UNICEF, we connect our passion for sustainability with the mission to create equal opportunities for everyone.

Want to see how these initiatives are changing lives? Watch the video and be inspired by the hopeful stories of communities who, with a little help, are building a better future. Together we make the world a little more beautiful.

Poster

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Plastic Bricks Program - Sustainable Future for Children

The Plastic Bricks program is a sustainable initiative of UNICEF that converts plastic waste into building blocks for schools in Ivory Coast. This program offers a solution to two major problems: plastic pollution and the lack of schools and education in developing countries.

The values ​​of Bedding house fit perfectly with the objectives of the Plastic Bricks program. We strive for sustainability and social involvement. For years we have tried to use as little plastic as possible in our packaging, we search for new materials that are less harmful and we try to use as little pesticide as possible. We want to have a positive impact on the world around us, and with this program we contribute to a better future for children in Ivory Coast.

At Bedding house we believe in the power of dreams and the power of education. We want to give children the chance to develop and make their dreams come true. That is why we support UNICEF's Plastic Bricks program. We support UNICEF with an annual financial contribution to the Plastic Bricks program. This makes it possible to build a new classroom of plastic building blocks per year.

Together we can make a difference!

By working with UNICEF, we can create a sustainable future for children in Ivory Coast. We give them the opportunity to learn and grow, and we contribute to a cleaner planet.

Plastic waste: building blocks for the future

Ivory Coast has a huge waste problem. Every day, more than 288,000 kilos of plastic from the city of Abidjan ends up in landfills in poorer communities. Only 5 percent of the plastic is sold for recycling, mainly by young people and women. Unfortunately, this yields far too little for them. At the same time, 1.6 million children and young people in the West African country do not go to school. With Plastic Bricks, UNICEF ensures that the plastic is recycled into building blocks for classrooms.

More about this project

At Bedding House we go one step further

At Beddinghouse, we feel a deep responsibility to make a positive impact on the world. We operate in the textile industry, a sector that is unfortunately one of the most polluting in the world. This realization drives us to look beyond profit alone. For us, entrepreneurship is not just about taking, but about giving. We want to contribute to a more sustainable world, and that is a core value that motivates us every day. Based on this conviction, we are committed to projects that really make a difference – such as our involvement in climate-smart villages.

Collaboration as a source of strength

Our partnership with UNICEF in Madagascar is a great example of what is possible when companies and NGOs join forces. Through the Business Buddies program, we work together to combine knowledge, resources and passion to make a tangible impact. We believe that this will not only benefit Madagascar, but all of us. Change starts locally: one village, one step towards sustainability and circularity at a time.

Actively contribute to change

Starting this year, we will do more than just provide financial support. Beddinghouse works with a passionate group of Business Buddies, the so-called Frontrunners , to actively expand the Business Buddies network. Our goal is clear: to realize more projects that improve the lives of children and make communities more sustainable.

On February 29, 2024, the kick-off of this renewed approach took place. Together with UNICEF and the other Frontrunners, we have made plans to involve as many entrepreneurs from our network as possible in these initiatives. Beddinghouse will continue to work on strengthening this collaboration in the coming years. We do this through our communication channels, during trade fairs, by bringing entrepreneurs together and in direct contact with our network.

A shared responsibility

What we do goes beyond our company. We believe that everyone – companies, industries and individuals – can take responsibility. Together we can change the world. One village at a time. One child at a time. One step towards a sustainable future at a time.

Join us and make a difference – together we build a better world.

Are you joining us?

Do you have a good idea to expand the Business Buddies network? Do you know entrepreneurs who you think would like to become Business Buddies? Or would you like to join a Frontrunners brainstorm? Send Katie Jaques a message.