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's also about creating a positive societal impact. That's why we're proud to be UNICEF's Business Buddy and support projects that really make a difference. Two initiatives are at the heart of this: the Plastic Bricks project and the Climate Resilient Villages transformation.

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 transformed into building blocks that are used to build schools and give children access to better education. In doing so, we not only reduce the burden on the environment, but also provide hope and opportunities for future generations. This fits perfectly with our commitment to sustainable bedding and reducing the textile industry's environmental footprint.

Climate-Resilient Villages in Madagascar

Henriette van Beynum, Managing Director of Beddinghouse, recently visited Madagascar to see first-hand how the Climate Resilient Villages project is changing lives. In collaboration with UNICEF, villages are being transformed into self-sufficient communities. Smart solutions for water management, education and local entrepreneurship are making these communities more resilient to the effects of climate change. "You can't live on aid alone," says Henriette. "Economic activities are crucial, but in a way that makes the community self-sufficient." These villages show impressive change: clean drinking water, better education and opportunities for families to operate sustainably. Particular attention is paid to the role of women. "When women are given space, everything runs better," emphasizes Henriette.

Why these projects?

The challenges in countries like Madagascar and Côte d'Ivoire are enormous. Madagascar is one of the countries most affected by climate change. With 78% of the population living in poverty and almost half of children undernourished, rapid action is more urgent than ever. Supporting projects like Plastic Bricks and Climate Resilient Villages helps make communities 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 with UNICEF, we combine our passion for sustainability with the mission of creating equal opportunities for all.

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 are making the world a better place.
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Plastic Bricks Program – A Sustainable Future for Children

The Plastic Bricks programme is a sustainable initiative by UNICEF that transforms plastic waste into building bricks for schools in Côte d'Ivoire. This programme offers a solution to two major problems: plastic pollution and the lack of schools and educational opportunities in developing countries.

Beddinghouse's values ​​align perfectly with the goals of the Plastic Bricks program. We strive for sustainability and social responsibility. For many years we have tried to use as little plastic as possible in our packaging, looking for new, less harmful materials and striving to minimize the use of pesticides. We want to have a positive impact on the world around us and with this program we are contributing to a better future for children in Côte d'Ivoire.

At Beddinghouse we believe in the power of dreams and the power of education. We want to give children the chance to develop and achieve their dreams. That is why we support UNICEF's Plastic Bricks program. We support UNICEF with an annual financial contribution that allows the construction of one new classroom made of plastic bricks per year.

Together we can make a difference!

By working with UNICEF, we can create a sustainable future for children in Côte d'Ivoire, giving them the opportunity to learn and grow, and contributing to a cleaner planet.

Plastic Waste: Building Blocks for the Future

Ivory Coast has an enormous waste problem. Every day, more than 288,000 kilograms of plastic from the city of Abidjan end up in landfills in poorer communities. Only 5 percent of the plastic is sold for recycling, mainly by young people and women. Unfortunately, this brings them far too little income. 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 and building blocks for classrooms are created.

More about this project

At Bedding House we go one step further

At Beddinghouse, we feel a deep responsibility to have a positive impact on the world. We work in the textile industry, an industry that is unfortunately one of the most environmentally damaging in the world. This awareness drives us to look beyond mere profit. For us, entrepreneurship is not just about taking, but above all about giving. We want to contribute to a more sustainable world and this 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-resilient villages.

Collaboration as a Source of Strength

Our partnership with UNICEF in Madagascar is a beautiful 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 create a tangible impact. We are convinced 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 are providing more than just financial support. Beddinghouse is working with a dedicated group of business buddies, the so-called Frontrunners , to actively expand the Business Buddies network. Our goal is clear: to implement more projects that improve the lives of children and make communities more sustainable.

The launch of this new approach took place on February 29, 2024. Together with UNICEF and the other Frontrunners, we have made plans to involve as many entrepreneurs as possible from our network in these initiatives. Beddinghouse will continue to work to strengthen this partnership in the coming years. We do this through our communication channels, at 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 will build a better world.

Are you joining in?

Do you have a great idea to grow the Business Buddies network? Do you know entrepreneurs you think would like to become Business Buddies? Or would you like to participate in a Frontrunners Brainstorming session? Let us know at katie.jaques@beddinghouse.com .