Materials That Matter
At Goodee, we believe that the materials used in our products are fundamental to our commitment to sustainable and responsible sourcing. That's why we carefully select each material, ensuring that they are either natural, recycled, or exceptionally durable.
By making thoughtful choices about the materials we use, we aim to source products that align with our mission, ultimately fostering a positive impact on both our customers and the environment.
Discover our materials below.
Material Glossary
Ecothylene®
Exclusive to ecoBirdy, ecothylene® is an innovative material made entirely from post-consumer plastic waste using a patented upcycling process. No added pigments or new plastics are required – the unique speckled pattern is there to showcase its recycled origins.
Ecothylene® is free of harmful substances, making it safe for all ages. Lightweight, smooth, and sturdy, it is also easily recyclable and contributes to the circular economy.
Recycled PET
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a strong, lightweight plastic commonly used to make a variety of everyday products, including water bottles, food packaging, and clothing fibers. This highly recyclable material can be collected, cleaned, and melted down to create new products. Recycling PET helps reduce plastic waste in landfills, conserves resources, and lessens the environmental impact of manufacturing.
One of our favorite brands, PET Lamp, aims to repurpose landfill- and ocean-bound PET bottles by turning them into spectacular hand-made lampshades.
Recycled Polypropylene
Recycled polypropylene (rPP) is a form of polypropylene that has been processed and recovered from existing polypropylene products. Polypropylene itself is a widely used plastic, valued for its durability and versatility in applications like packaging, automotive parts, and consumer goods.
Using rPP conserves virgin resources, reduces landfill waste, and lessens the environmental impact of plastic production. It supports a circular economy by extending the life cycle of this valuable material.
Pidat and Iris Hantverk skillfully incorporate this sustainable material into their designs.
Kapok
A natural, biodegradable fiber derived from the seed pods of the kapok tree, kapok is a responsible choice for bedding and upholstery. Its cultivation requires no pesticides or fertilizers, and the trees thrive in tropical rainforests without contributing to deforestation. And that’s not all — kapok offers exceptional breathability, moisture resistance, and hypoallergenic qualities, in addition to a soft, silky texture, as seen in our Tensira collection.
Elephant Grass
Elephant grass (or Pennisetum purpureum) is a strong yet flexible perennial grass native to tropical Africa. Abundant in Ghana, it’s a sustainable resource for Baba Tree's artisans, who skillfully weave it into durable and intricately designed baskets, blending strength with versatility.
Mohair
A durable, lightweight, and lustrous fiber sourced from the fleece of Angora goats, mohair also has excellent insulating properties, ensuring comfort in both warm and cool climates.
Ezcaray crafts their products with South African Mohair, partnering with ethical suppliers who share their commitment to quality and the well-being of the animals, in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Council's standards.
Merino Wool
A premium natural fiber from Merino sheep, Merino wool is prized for its exceptional softness, breathability, and durability. Its fine fibers regulate body temperature and wick away moisture, making it ideal for high-quality blankets and scarves.
It’s a material of choice for Ezcaray, which partners with Australian suppliers committed to quality and ethical practices, in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Council’s standards.
Shetland Wool
Sourced from sheep native to Scotland’s Shetland Islands, Shetland wool is prized for its softness, warmth, and durability. Its fine fibers, with a natural crimp, offer elasticity and help garments retain their shape. Available in a wide range of natural colors, Shetland wool is ideal for scarves and blankets.
It’s a material of choice for Ezcaray, which partners with Australian suppliers committed to quality and ethical practices, in line with the Farm Animal Welfare Council standards.
Cashmere
Cashmere is renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightweight nature, making it a popular choice for accessories like scarves, and blankets. This luxurious fiber is harvested sustainably during the molting season when cashmere goats naturally shed their winter coats.
The fibers are collected by gently combing the goats rather than shearing, which not only helps preserve the quality of the cashmere but also aligns with more sustainable practices, ensuring minimal impact on the goats and their environment.
Teixidor has a selection of throws that are beautifully handcrafted from 100% Italian cashmere.
Linen
Made from flax plants grown in various regions worldwide, linen is celebrated for its natural strength, breathability, and timeless appeal. Known for its coarse texture, it softens with every wash while maintaining its durability. Like all linen, it is hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and resistant to bacteria, making it a healthy and comfortable choice for everyday use. Flax crops used for regular linen require minimal water, pesticides, and fertilizers, making linen an eco-conscious material. It is fully biodegradable, further enhancing its sustainability profile.
Oshana's pillow covers are all delicately hand-embroidered on high quality linen by skilled Syrian refugee women.
100% Egyptian Linen
Renowned for its unmatched quality, Egyptian linen is crafted from the finest flax plants grown exclusively along the fertile Nile River. The longer, finer fibers create an incredibly soft, smooth texture that only improves with time. This premium linen is not only luxuriously soft but also exceptionally durable, offering a level of resilience and longevity beyond regular linen.
Horse Hair
The long hair from horses' manes and tails is a naturally soft, flexible, and durable material, perfect for crafting brushes needing a gentle touch or moderate stiffness.
Iris Hantverk ethically sources its horsehair from individual horse owners and riding schools, ensuring no harm to animals.
Arenga Fibre
Arenga Fibre is a fiber obtained from the Arenga palm — a type of palm native to Southeast Asia. Not only is it a renewable resource, it is also recognized as one of the hardest wearing natural fibres. Being biodegradable, it has a lower environmental impact than synthetic fibres.
The coarse fibres of Arenga resemble horse hair in texture and are most commonly used in natural brushes and brooms, as seen in our Redecker and Iris Hantverk collections.
Terracotta
Meaning 'baked earth' in Italian, terracotta is a ceramic made from natural clay that is fired at low temperatures. Known for its warm, earthy aesthetic, terracotta has been widely used for thousands of years for sculptures and pots, as well as construction. Durable and weather-resistant, terracotta is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Its minimal processing, recyclability, and longevity make it an eco-friendly choice.
Shop Skagerak by Fritz Hansen's collection of hand-thrown terracotta plant pots.
Tuscan Galestro Clay
Our Bergs Potter pots are crafted from Tuscan Galestro Clay, a distinctive natural material sourced locally in Tuscany. This unique clay, renowned for its historical use in ceramics and construction, offers exceptional durability, while its minimal processing and biodegradability make it an environmentally responsible choice.
100% Egyptian Clay
Egyptian clay stands out for its high purity and fine texture, resulting in superior workability and strength after firing. Its rich, earthy color naturally adds beauty to finished products even without glazing, while its durability ensures longevity.
By using Egyptian clay, Anūt links their creations to a rich historical tradition, imbuing them with cultural significance.
Earth oxides
Earth oxides are compounds formed between oxygen and elements found in the Earth's crust, often metals and semi-metals. They have been used since ancient times to color and glaze pottery, creating a wide array of hues and finishes. Their ability to withstand high kiln temperatures ensures their longevity. Their enduring nature and minimal environmental impact make them a favored choice for potters seeking both beauty and sustainability in their craft.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a composite material loved for its unique aesthetic and exceptional durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Made from a blend of cement and quartz, Bergs Potter’s terrazzo is exceptionally strong, resistant to stains, and requires minimal maintenance. It's a responsible choice that minimizes waste and environmental impact.
Teak
Teak is a tropical hardwood known for its strength, beauty, and ability to withstand the elements. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s naturally resistant to moisture, pests, and decay, making it well-suited for outdoor furniture. Teak requires little maintenance. Without treatment, it naturally weathers to a refined grey-silver patina, and with occasional oiling, it will keep its beautiful appearance for years.
Teak is a favorite material for Skagerak by Fritz Hansen, who uses it in products ranging from cutting boards to outdoor sofa's.
Oak
A renewable raw material, particularly when sourced from sustainably managed forests, oak is a hardwood renowned for its strength and longevity. These qualities make it ideal for crafting furniture that can endure daily use, and last for generations. Unlike many other woods, oak is less prone to warping or cracking over time, ensuring that your pieces retain their shape and structure for years to come. Furthermore, it is naturally resistant to pests and fungi.
Carl Hansen and Frama are just two of our many brands that love working with oak.
Ash
Ash wood is one of the toughest hardwoods available, renowned for its strength, flexibility, and shock-absorbing properties. This makes it ideal for both furniture and tools that experience heavy use. Its light color and straight grain provide a clean aesthetic. When sourced responsibly from managed forests adhering to sustainable forestry practices, ash is also an environmentally friendly choice.
These properties are what make ash wood so appealing to brands like Ferm Living, who use FSC™-certified ash wood in an array of products.
Pine Wood
A renewable raw material, particularly when sourced from sustainably managed forests, pine is a versatile wood known for its workability and affordability. Despite being a softwood, it is strong and resilient, making it suitable for various applications. These fast-growing trees also have the potential to help mitigate the effects of climate change by capturing and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.
Birch Wood
A renewable raw material, particularly when sourced from sustainably managed forests, birch is a hardwood prized for its strength and versatility.
Commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and flooring, birch’s natural beauty is often enhanced through oil treatments, which deepen its color, highlight grain patterns, and protect it from moisture. Oils also allow the wood to breathe, benefiting its longevity and appearance over time.
Iris Hantverk and Fogo Island Workshops love working with this versatile wood.
Beech
A renewable raw material, particularly when sourced from sustainably managed forests, beech wood (from Fagus sylvatica - European beech and Fagus grandifolia - American beech) is a dense hardwood known for its strength, durability, and smooth texture.
Oil treatment enhances its natural color, highlighting the attractive grain patterns, and creates a protective barrier against moisture, reducing the risk of water damage, warping, cracking, and splitting.
Paper Cord
Made from twisted paper strips, papercord is a strong and durable material that can support significant weight when woven tightly, and withstand years of use. Biodegradable and recyclable, it offers an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic materials. Papercord is easy to maintain with regular dusting and occasional cleaning with a damp cloth. If the papercord seat becomes worn over time, it can be replaced, extending the life of your furniture piece.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a durable and corrosion-resistant alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium. It is easy to clean, maintain, and sanitize, making it ideal for various applications, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Its long lifespan and 100% recyclability contribute to a lower environmental impact by minimizing waste and resource consumption.
Frama is known for using stainless steal in their minimalist-inspired pieces.
Copper
With its natural luster and ability to develop a protective patina over time, copper adds a touch of sophitication to everyday objects. Its natural antimicrobial properties ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, while its exceptional conductivity makes it perfect for electrical and thermal applications.
As a 100% recyclable material, copper reduces the need for new mining. Haws has been using hand-polished copper for generations in their signature watering cans.
Nickel
A silvery-white metal with a slight golden tinge, nickel is both durable and corrosion-resistant, and requires minimal maintenance. Used in sturdy alloys or as protective plating, nickel helps everyday objects withstand wear and tear. Plus, its high recyclability makes it an environmentally responsible choice.
Brass
A beautiful blend of copper and zinc, brass brings a touch of warmth and timeless elegance to everyday objects. Its durability and recyclability make it a responsible choice, minimizing waste and environmental impact.