By Lisa Neff

Contributing writer

You probably have heard that a rubber can be a good thing to take to bed.

Rubber in a bed can be a good thing too.

CFP went shopping for a new mattress recently and found one designed with comfort and conservation in mind—Simmons’ Natural Care mattress collection is a restorative sleep system that features natural rubber tree latex made from biodegradable materials such as rubber tree sap and soy. The latex is comfortable, supportive and also resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew.

Beneath the mattress’ layer of latex lies a layer of base foam enhanced with soy, reducing the use of petroleum needed to manufacture the foam and diminishing the manufacturer’s carbon footprint.

Over the mattress is a natural knit cover made from wood fibers from evergreen trees rather than hardwood forests. And the metal that makes up the mattress’ interior grid is 80-percent recycled steel. www.simmons.com

Another new mattress, the GeoEthic Mattress by Magniflex bedding, is hypo-allergenic, made of soy-based foam, bamboo, corn, sea algae and crab shells. www.kaymedworldcom

On the ground: Bet you never expected to hear that carpet can become a renewable resource. Shaw Flooring has created a system of recycling old carpet into new carpet at a plant in Augusta, Ga. The process helps make Shaw’s Vision carpet—in various patterns from zebra to herringbone—more affordable and keeps about 100 million pounds of carpet out of landfills each year. www.shawfloors.com

Tops in counters: Craft-Art’s new line of bamboo countertops—in plank or end-grain parquet—offer an ecological surface because the material is sustainably grown. Bamboo has gained a reputation for being green as the grass, “a highly renewable source which reaches maturity levels quickly,” said Craft-Art founder Ken Williamson. www.craft-art.com

On the perimeter: TimberWolf’s classic wood composite fencing from FiberTech Polymers comes with certification from the Scientific Certification Systems. The guarantee is that this product has a minimum of 90-percent post-consumer recycled content. The fencing’s price is comparable to vinyl and less expensive than wood. wwwfibertechpolymers.com

Toasting style: Owen Lawrence is offering La Mediterranea glassware—sleek, modern pieces blown from 100 percent recycled glass. The artisans with La Mediterranea, based in Valencia, have been making recycled glassware for more than three decades, from everyday tumblers to fine wine glasses. www.owenlawrence.com

In the bath: L.A. designer Nicole Sassaman’s new simple but elegant bathroom accessories are handcrafted from walnut through a managed forest program. The accessories include a soap tray, toothbrush holder, tissue box, wastepaper basket and candle set. The candles for the candle set are made of natural soy wax. www.nicolesassaman.com

In the air: Fresh Wave, based in Barrington, makes green products you might not notice in a home—which means they work. Fresh Wave’s natural, earth-friendly products eliminate odors without stinking up a home with overpowering scents. The products, including a candle and air spray, are designed to break down odor without masking a scent or releasing harmful chemicals. Fresh Wave’s had particular success with its odor neutralizing crystals. An open jar of the crystals, made of water and extracts of lime, pine needle, aniseed, clove and cedar wood, can eliminate odor from a litter box for three months. www.fresh-wave.com