ecomade Mattress
ecomade GmbH
Around one million mattresses are thrown away every year in Switzerland, with a recycling rate of zero. ecomade addresses this issue by combining sleep comfort with a sustainable circular approach. The first extended-lifespan Swiss mattress with integrated recycling service was launched in autumn 2024. Alongside the product itself, a holistic circular ecosystem supports new possibilities for resource management and raises public awareness of the issue.
Award winner 2025 in the category »Produkt«»The ecomade mattress embodies a holistic circular approach: extended lifespan, recyclable design, and an integrated ecosystem for take-back and recycling. It exemplifies true product responsibility and shows how the combination of product and system design makes circular economy a reality.«
Ina Budde
Three questions for Joel Hügli, Managing Director and Product Designer
How did the idea for “ecomade Matratze” first come about?
When I first learned that a million mattresses are discarded in Switzerland every year, I was shocked. Why is this number so high, and why is nobody talking about it? These questions became the starting point for my master’s thesis on circular mattress design. The resulting findings were incredibly well received and motivated me to continue with ‘ecomade’ in the form of a company.
Were there any breakthrough moments in the course of development? What were the biggest obstacles you faced?
Sleeping on my own mattress for the first time was undoubtedly a highlight. After countless long days spent researching, experimenting with recycling, and conducting production tests, a restful night on the first ecomade mattress prototype was thoroughly deserved. Ironically, this highlight also represents a challenge for me, as I literally sleep on my work every night. This can sometimes make it hard to rest when things get stressful, and even the best mattress can’t help with that.
What are the next steps for your project as you look to the future?
With ecomade, I want to keep contributing to more sustainable consumption, and I’m looking forward to seeing more happy faces when customers try out an ‘ecomade’ mattress in the showroom. And who knows, perhaps our design philosophy could one day be extended to other bedroom products.
