Ethical down for the Conscious Dreamers
The Truth Beneath the Covers: A Deep Dive into Ethical Duck Down
Over the past few years, I’ve spent a fair amount of time immersed in the world of the humble doona. What began as a search for a cosy night’s sleep turned into something more much meaningful: a journey to understand what goes into making ethical, traceable, and sustainable bedding.
At Puff, we believe that true comfort goes beyond softness - it includes knowing that what you sleep under also rests comfortably on our minds. So if you’ve ever wondered what ethical duck down really means, read on dear dreamers...
What Is Ethical Duck Down?
Let's start with.. what is down? Down is the soft layer of feathers closest to a duck’s (or goose’s) skin, prized for being lightweight, breathable, and thermally superior to any other insulator. But not all down is created and harvested equally.
“Ethical down is down that comes from ducks or geese that have been treated humanely throughout their lives—no live-plucking, no force-feeding, and full traceability through independent auditing.”
Unfortunately, unethical practices like live-plucking (removing feathers while the bird is still alive) and force-feeding (used in foie gras production) were once common in the global down trade. These methods cause extreme distress and harm to birds, often behind closed doors in industrial supply chains.
In response to these concerns, the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) was developed by Textile Exchange in partnership with brands and animal welfare groups. RDS bans live-plucking and force-feeding, mandates proper living conditions, and requires all certified down to be fully traceable from farm to product1.
Traceability: Following the Feather
Ethical sourcing doesn’t start and end with a logo on the packaging though, It involves rigorous supply chain transparency.
"Every Puff doona is made using RDS-certified duck down, traceable to audited farms in regions with strong animal welfare standards."
Our down is sourced from fully RDS-certified farms in regions like Poland and northern China, where down is collected as a by-product of the food industry. That means the ducks are raised primarily for meat, and the down is repurposed - reducing waste while honouring the value of the animal’s life.
Traceability means each batch of down can be tracked back through the supply chain, verified by independent third-party audits. This gives you confidence that your doona reflects not just comfort, but a conscience.
Sustainable Bedding Is Not a Myth
There’s a persistent belief that luxury and sustainability can’t coexist. But high-end doesn’t have to mean high-impact.
“Ethical duck down is an environmentally smart choice - it's biodegradable, long-lasting, and a by-product of an existing supply chain.”
In fact, natural down has a much lower carbon footprint than synthetic insulations, especially petroleum-derived fills. When sourced ethically, it’s a smart circular material. With thanks to its insulating efficiency, a down doona lasts longer, requires less bulk to stay warm, and cuts down on overproduction2.
At Puff, we don’t stop at the fill. Our 400 thread count cotton sateen shells are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, which ensures no harmful chemicals touch your skin while you sleep3. Our cotton canvas Puffles packaging are a high quality, durable, reusable, and plastic-free storage option which has been designed as the perfect resting place for your doona or your chic go-to duffle tote.
Why This All Matters?
Ethical bedding is about more than what keeps you warm. It’s about aligning your lifestyle with your values - whether that’s protecting animals, reducing environmental impact, or simply knowing where your products come from.
“When you choose ethically sourced bedding, you support better practices for farmers, animals, and the planet.”
That’s the heart of Puff. We believe in fluff with conscience. Every doona we make is a small step toward a system that respects people, animals, and ecosystems - while still helping you attain the dreamiest sleep possible.
Sweet Dreams,
Beck
RESOURCES:
1. Textile Exchange. “Responsible Down Standard”
2. International Down and Feather Bureau. “Sustainability of Down.”