social entrepreneurship

At Bedding House, we are committed to projects that promote the wellbeing of people - both near and far. Our products are carefully manufactured in countries such as Pakistan, India, Turkey and China. We carefully select our manufacturers to ensure good working conditions are maintained. Through regular visits to our suppliers and our own team in Pakistan, we can ensure compliance with our standards and specifications. For us, social entrepreneurship is not just a goal, but a fundamental part of our identity. We believe in giving back to the world rather than just taking.

Business has an important responsibility in this. We can learn from inspiring initiatives like our project with UNICEF and reshape the industry. Instead of producing millions of new products every season, we should integrate sustainability into our designs and working methods. Less waste, more responsibility. Because what we do is not for a single place or a single project - it is about all of us.

We can change the world - one village at a time, step by step towards sustainability and the circular economy. Let us take responsibility together: as a company, as an industry and as people. In this way we can give children around the world a better future - a world in which they can grow, thrive and find hope.

BetterCotton

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

In 2017, we took the first important steps at product level. Our actions focused primarily on making cotton more sustainable by becoming a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which we have been a member of since 2016. In addition, we are committed to improving working conditions for the people who work in and for our company. 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 industries in the world. This awareness obliges us to look beyond pure profit and take responsibility. For us, entrepreneurship means not only taking, but also giving. Contributing to a more sustainable and fairer world is one of our core company values.

That's why we support initiatives like the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which focuses on sustainability and social equality. BCI is committed to the advancement of men and women, as well as the education of women and children. The impact is enormous: it strengthens women's self-confidence and their position in the family and community. Since women spend on average 90% of their income on their families, this directly contributes to better healthcare and education for children.

Yet women remain disadvantaged in the cotton industry worldwide. They often have less job security, earn on average 25% to 30% less than men for the same work, and have less access to training or advancement opportunities. Through BCI and local partners, such as in Afghanistan, we support projects that help women run their own cotton farms and provide them with the resources and skills they need to succeed.

In addition, we work with UNICEF to support projects that educate 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 support not only individuals, but also families and communities.

Our commitment to these initiatives shows that a more sustainable and fairer textile industry is possible. It is an industry in which we are not only working 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 strictly rejects any form of child labor. We regularly visit our production facilities to personally ensure that no children are involved in the production of our bed linen range. In addition, our employees in the production countries can carry out unannounced inspections at any time to ensure that child labor is excluded.

A female farmer as a role model in the Pakistani cotton community

In Pakistan, about 1.5 million smallholder farmers rely on cotton for their livelihoods. But the future of cotton production in Pakistan depends on men and women being equally involved in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Female cotton farmers can serve as powerful role models in their communities. But in rural Pakistan, this requires overcoming deeply rooted beliefs about men's and women's roles in the household and on the field. The Better Cotton Initiative's (BCI) six implementing partners (IPs) in Pakistan are supporting women to take on more responsibility in the fields and even become independent farmers.

In the Vehari district of Punjab, BCI implementing partner Rural Education Economic and Education Development Society (REEDS) helped 27-year-old Almas Parveen, an ambitious and capable young woman. Almas' family has been running a nine-hectare farm since 2009. Rather than leaving management to a male third party, Almas was determined to run the farm herself, grow healthy crops and get the best possible yield to support her family. Although Almas' farm was too small to participate in REEDS' BCI program, she was still given the opportunity to attend BCI training and learn sustainable farming techniques. With REEDS' support, Almas completed the training and qualified as a field facilitator. Since March 2017, she has worked in a paid position training local BCI farmers.

Almas' rise to a position of responsibility in her community was not easy. She faced resistance from the community, which did not approve of a young woman working alone and training male farmers. The farmers were also skeptical and doubted her right to train her. But Almas stood firm. Over time, the farmers' perception changed as her technical knowledge and sound advice led to measurable improvements on the farms. Rejection turned into appreciation, and Almas won the respect of the community.

Today, Almas trains 400 BCI farmers and also supports cotton farmers outside the BCI program. On her own farm, she was able to increase yields and profits by 18% and 23% respectively (2017-18 compared to 2016-17) and reduce pesticide use by 35%. With the extra income, she was able to support her family and finance her brother's wedding. More importantly, Almas also wants to make a difference in her community by acting as a role model for other women and encouraging more girls and women to become cotton farmers.

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. Life-changing surgeries are performed on board and local medical professionals are trained.

Our contribution? We supply bedding for the hundreds of hospital beds on board these ships. In this way we contribute to a comfortable and welcoming environment for the patients and volunteers. It may seem like a small step, but the difference it makes for people who have often had no access to medical care for years is enormous.

We are proud to support an organization that brings hope and healing to where it is needed most. Together we are making the world a more beautiful place - one comfortable bed at a time.

To learn more about Mercy Ships or find out how you can contribute, visit www.mercyships.org.