PlushBeds is North America’s largest importer of ARPICO organic latex, used in the production of our handmade and customized, shipped to you factory-direct Botanical Bliss 100% natural latex mattress. As a natural mattress manufacturer, we wholeheartedly adopt and support the mindset of greener living. As well, we greatly value education and awareness. As a part of our green living initiatives, we sponsor a once-yearly Fall Semester green-related scholarship essay contest, in which PlushBeds contributes a one-time monetary award of $1,000 to be applied towards the winning student’s university or college tuition. Qualified students are those who are or will be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate green degree program in Fall 2020 at any accredited American college, university, or trade school.

For the year 2020, our designated topic and title for green scholarship essay submissions is “The Detrimental Effects of Plastics on our Environment and Proposed Alternatives”. The essay should be no less than 1,000 words, and may be longer to adequately cover the necessary material.

Students should introduce the topic by exploring briefly some of the pros and cons of plastic consumption, and then dedicate the remainder of the essay to answering questions such as the following: Can we as a society strike a balance in our plastic use?, Is it feasible to get rid of all plastics, and replace them with alternatives?, What are some of the best practical plastic alternatives, and why are they unique or notable?, In the long run, economically speaking, would it be cheaper, or more expensive, to do away with plastics entirely?, What would the world look and feel like without plastic?, How do we get consumer buy-in as it comes to adopting plastic alternatives, and phasing out plastic use?

Points will be awarded for originality and creativity, but also practicality (suggestions for plastic alternatives that are less likely to be acted upon are not as useful), so be imaginative and use your creative problem-solving skills, while pondering how easily the solutions you are suggesting will be in actual adoption. Careful attention to this instruction will aid the student in setting his or her essay apart from the rest.

PlushBeds, Inc. ("PlushBeds") is committed to protecting your privacy and providing a safe online experience. By using our website, you consent to the collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information as described in the PlushBeds Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these practices listed in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, please do not use our website. By submitting an entry for a PlushBeds Green Scholarship, you transfer all rights and ownership of submitted content to PlushBeds, regardless of whether your entry is selected as a winner. PlushBeds reserves the right to publish submitted work at the conclusion of the entry period in any manner PlushBeds sees fit. Selection of winning submissions is entirely at the discretion of PlushBeds. Winner(s) will be contacted by PlushBeds via the email address used for submission. Winner(s) will be confirmed ONLY after providing proof of enrollment in the form of a copy of a tuition bill OR letter of proof from the accredited United States college or university at which the winner(s) is enrolled. Upon confirmation of enrollment, winners will be publicly announced on PlushBeds.com, and PlushBeds will mail the check to the winning student's school to be applied towards the student's tuition fees.