You know how blankets can feel like a warm hug? Well a weighted blanket is like that, but better because that hug turns into a deep snooze. But some of them are made with plastic pellets, which is so not the vibe for America Recycles Day today. That’s why we talked with Kathrin Hamm (she/her), founder and CEO of sustainable brand Bearaby, about her cozy creations that’ll leave you well-rested and with some plastic-free peace of mind.

How did Bearaby come to be?
I used to be an economist and worked at the World Bank. While there, I helped a lot of female entrepreneurs get funding and traveled a lot in a short timeframe which was exciting, but also really exhausting. I couldn’t fall asleep at night and there was a period where it started affecting my day-to-day life. So I thought, “What can be a natural sleep aid that would help me?” I tried every product out there until I finally read an article about deep touch pressure and how it could help adults sleep. That was before weighted blankets even became a thing, so when I looked into it, I had to actually order one from a pharmacy. It took 6 weeks to arrive, and that plastic, orange and blue bean bag was just not something you want people to see in your home. But, the thing was magical—I passed out in 30 minutes the first time using it. But I soon realized it wasn’t sustainable to sleep under 20 pounds of plastic for 8 hours a night.

That’s how I decided I’d make it myself. When I finally had all the bits and pieces together, it was at a time when traditional weighted blankets were being discovered and used, but manufacturers weren’t burning the candles on both ends. Then we came in with this beautiful, breathable, and sustainable product that you’d love to have on your couch.

Why is sustainability so important to you?
I think a big part of what informed my sustainability journey was the work at the World Bank. You’re traveling in countries like India and Bangladesh where you see products end up in massive landfills and never decompose. It caused me anxiety and had me asking, “How do we solve this problem?”

I think what also helped was being a newcomer to the bedding industry and asking questions, even if they seemed silly. For example, in our first shipment they wanted to wrap all the products in plastic and I asked, “Why does every piece need to be wrapped in plastic?” And they were like, “Well, that’s just how it’s done.” So I was like, “Why can’t we try something else?” And that’s how we came up with a double corrugated carton and a sustainable cloth made out of the same fabrics to package everything. To this day we have our supply chain completely plastic-free.

So what are your blankets made out of?
The original product I started with is just organic cotton rolled together, which creates a heavy yarn that is then knitted together. Shortly after, we started using Tencel as well. FYI: If you toss any of our stuff in the bin, it will completely biodegrade so that nothing ends up in a landfill.

What are some of your other sustainable staples?
I really like Advene who makes sustainable handbags. A lot of traditional bags are made with glue and plastic fillers, so they were able to remove all of that. Plus, the bags look amazing and are very practical. I also love Rothy’s and Baggu. I’m not a big fashion person, and I think what goes in trend can be out of trend quickly, so I’d rather buy things that will last a long time and don’t cause harm to the planet.