Category: Renewable Energy

The Problem With Plastic

The problem is that when plastic is not disposed of properly, or disposed of at all, it will ensure harmful environmental consequences. A plastic bag can take anywhere from 100 to 500 years to disintegrate! Plastic is a huge environmental threat, killing animals and clogging up rivers worldwide. The average usage time of a plastic bag is around 25 minutes, which is funny because they can be used for multiple things (i.e. picking up your dog’s waste, trash bags.) When a plastic bag is not disposed of it can harm the life of animals and of the entire ecosystem, making them a serious environmental threat. There are ways to use plastic bags without harming nature in the process.

First of all, a plastic bag does NOT have to be recycled, and in fact, it is preferred in some places to not be thrown in the recycling bin because they screw up the machinery that produces recycled goods. If you are going to use a plastic bag at least have the decency to throw it away in the trash can if you are not going to reuse it! The worst thing that you can do with a plastic bag is to throw it to the wind. Please try and make an effort to dispose of your trash – and I’m not just talking plastic – in proper bins, if not for the environment’s sake, then for the sake of sightliness, because there is nothing worse than going to the beach and stumbling upon the remains of picnics past.

The largest ‘landfill’ in the world is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. There is such thing as the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch‘, a place with high concentrations of chemical sludge and other broken down remnants of waste. The patch is reported to be ‘twice the size of the continental United States,” and if that doesn’t gross you out then I don’t know what could. This implies that our waste production is too high, and if that is true, what is to happen when this ‘Garbage Patch’ grows? We are already swimming in our own litter half of the time, will this make it a natural thing? Will we be forced to swim in a sea of broken down, toxic particles and various other kinds of waste?

There are efforts going on globally to reduce the incline of plastic waste, one of them being a program run by Trex, which is collecting plastic from local schools in order to create their faux wood panels, the winning school gets a handy prize. In Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake, among other districts, there are numerous schools competing in this competition to eliminate plastic waste. The Organic Comfort Zone is doing its part in helping the schools out by donating the plastic waste that we receive everyday to Willoughby Elementary, a local public school that is currently ranked first in this intercity contest. We are proud to be a part of instilling the benefits of ‘Green’ living into the minds of the youngsters of our nation.

The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Program is helping students throughout Virginia learn of the harm that litter can bring and also of what they might be able to do about it all, which is, to begin with, throwing it away properly! People can get involved by donating to local stores, such as a grocery store, that takes in plastic bags specifically and can send them to places where they can be recycled. If you do not have the time for that, or can not find anywhere around you that is affiliated with recycling, than the easiest step you can take is to throw them out! Another alternative to plastic bags is tote shopping bags that can be reused over and over again, paper bags are not ideal, seeing that they kill trees and are more expensive.

Not only schools, but associations all over the country are giving way to a plastic bag disposal. Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources had partnered with multiple other business’ to form the Wrap Recycling Action Project, or W.R.A.P., which aims to increase the recycling of plastic film in “nearly every business and household.” Much of these bags with the Resin Identification code of #2 and #4 can be disposed of in retail store bins.

The best motto is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, because it truly is the best thing that you can do with everything that you find in your possession. You can reduce the use of plastic film by stuffing more things into one bag, because the capacity of the bag is usually more than one might expect. Or, instead of doubling your bags for one liter of soda, ask the cashier to only use one bag. Reuse your bags for as long as you can and then when everything is said and done, find a place to recycle them, or throw them away. Save yourself, save some money, save the planet, and enjoy every day as it comes. Enjoy the world without the clutter of plastic bags and filthy waste lying about and do your part in protecting the environment that you live in so that the grass can grow greener everyday and everywhere.

Tags garbage patch, plastic, pollution, recycle, reduce, reuse, toxic

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

Feed People, Not Landfills

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date February 13, 2014
No Comments on Feed People, Not Landfills

An estimated 50 million Americans do not have access to enough food. If 50 million Americans alone do not have access to enough food, imagine how large the number of people around the world who do not have access to enough food is. That would be nearly one billion people! That means that one in every six people is not getting enough food to eat. However, landfills receive plenty of nutritious and delicious foods, and some foods that are not so nutritious or delicious. With all of this food going to landfills, it makes you wonder why it is so hard to feed everybody in the world.

Not only is the lack of food causing a social epidemic worldwide, but it is also an environmental hazard. When food is sent to landfills it releases a gas called methane, which has 21 times the potential to speed up global warming than Carbon Dioxide. This gas is produced when the food rots and is not disposed of properly. It is almost funny to think about how easy it could be to simply use the food as compost and help feed the soil nutrients as opposed to wasting it and producing harmful toxins.

Compost is organic matter that has been recycled in order to be used as a soil amendment. It is easy to make and it is free. It can be made from fruit and vegetable scraps (e.g. apple cores, orange peels, banana peels, etc.) and from a variety of other materials such as egg shells, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and newspaper. Remember that this will be good for your home garden or backyard, including the stimulation of flower growth and other earthly buds.

When you waste food you waste the time and effort that was needed to grow the product. This is a waste of not only food, but your money and the money of the people that produced it. Not only is it a waste of food and money, but it is also a waste of the animal or plant that died in order for you to eat it! When you look at all of the bad aspects of food waste, it makes you wonder why anyone would do it in the first place. Worldwide, about 1/3 of food produced is put to waste, which is over 1.3 billion tons.

Many programs all over the world are committed to feeding the hungry, including the Egyptian, Bulgarian, and Argentinian food banks. Places and people all over the world are beginning to realize what a hazard food waste can be. Joining organizations such as a local food bank can help save people worldwide, and not just people, but it can also help save the environment in the process. Schools also have information needed in order to donate food, if you have a student attending school, or are one yourself, most likely you will hear of a food drive. Don’t miss your chance to donate and get educated on the matter.

Tags compost, food waste, hungry, pollution, waste, world hunger

Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy

Latex is Green, not Mean

“But latex isn’t natural!” Is the first thing that comes from my friends lips whenever I tell them that I make natural latex mattress’ as a part of my work. I simply smile and say “Yes it is,” and being the simple-minded yet stupefyingly deep teenagers that we are, that is usually where the conversation ends. However, while talking to customers, I receive that response more often. It is a common misconception that latex is not a natural material and that it can only be a synthetic fiber. This is not true.

The natural latex that goes into our bedding is one hundred percent natural. We live up to our reputation as tree-huggers, literally, because our latex rubber is extracted from the rubber trees in Sri Lanka. The product is then put into a mold and baked until it has been hardened to our liking, no harmful additives or environmentally unfriendly chemicals added, thus proving that latex, or rubber, is not always an unnatural material only to be found on the tips of pencils and to be worn over somebody’s sweaty crotch. No, latex can serve as a natural haven for those who choose to lie on it and indulge in all of its benefits.

When you decide to take home one of our natural latex products you are doing more than purchasing a new item of bedding material. You are supporting the environment by not having to throw out a mattress or a pillow that is unsafe every three years, you are supporting your local economy and giving the people in Sri Lanka a trade, thus supporting the larger, international picture. Do you see it now? Taking one small step can effect many other small things that have a big impact.

We are taking our part in protecting the environment by producing organic products that are safe for one’s own household as well as Eco-friendly. We make sure that our customers get only the best from us and that they know what to expect every step of the way. You can rest assured that all of our products are natural, even the latex ones. We wonder here, at the Organic Comfort Zone, why people don’t take the necessary steps to improve our natural world and instead, many show habits of regression that will bring us farther back than we’ve already come in cleaning up our Mother Earth.

With all the opportunities and choices that lie in front of us, all of the ways that we can be ‘Green’ – whatever that truly means – in this day and age, it stumps us as to why people choose to not do their part in cleaning up our world. It breaks our tiny hearts to see such a beautiful and vast land that once held so many wonders turn into a wasteland, so of coarse our latex is natural, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Our electricity is self-produced – or, in fact, I guess the sun should take the credit for that one, seeing as it is solar panels that light us up down here in Ocean View. We do our part daily to make sure that our customers receive the best products, and that Mother Earth, being our biggest supporter, gets treated with the best respect that we could possibly fathom. So do your part, make your decisions, become educated and cultured in every way possible, be ‘Green’, be wild and free. Do your part, make smart choices! It is the best that we can do, and sometimes it is the only thing that can be done, but it has to be done, in order for our planet to function correctly.

Eric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags cozy, latex, natural, organic, rubber, synthetic

Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Renewable Energy

Green is Good

I guess I’ve been on a health kick lately, but here is another food post. Eating organically will help boost the body’s immune system and other natural defenses, as well as keeping your complexion clear and your body trim. There are many ways to eat organically in this day and age and you should always be mindful of where your food is from, how fresh it is, whether or not pesticides and steroids were used in its production, and its nutrition level. Like many food posts I have compiled another list of things that can be bought with peace of mind whether or not they are from the farmers market or not:

-Avocado -Cauliflower -Watermelon

-Asparagus -Kiwi -Garlic

-Blackberries -Onions -Tomatoes

– Broccoli -Mangoes

-Cabbage -Pineapples

Now we can move on to a list of foods that are OK to buy non-organic, but still would be made better if bought fresh daily 🙂

-Bananas

-Green Onions

-Lemons

-Grapes

-Tangerines

OK. Now it is time to reveal the food that is safest to buy ORGANIC

-Almonds -Papaya -Celery -Cherries

-Apples -Carrots -Cucumbers -Kale

-Bell Peppers -Blueberries -Potatoes -Strawberries

-Peaches -Spinach -Raspberries

-Lettuce -Green Beans -Zucchini

-Pears -Plums -Corn

All our lives we will face tough choices about what we should be eating and why. We will be consumed with temptation when looking through the windows at Dairy Queen or maybe the bakery at your local supermarket. We can not let ourselves down, though. There are always healthier and safer options for everyone to enjoy no matter what your preference is. Just the other night I had a fresh, delicious, savory, spicy catfish sandwich from our local farmers market. The sandwich was rich with spices and subtle flavors and I enjoyed every bite of it. The dinner was healthy and it was also affordable.

Why should we stop where we eat though? We want to practice healthy choices in every aspect of our life, don’t we? We want to live to the fullest of our potential and we can only do that when we are thinking straight and clearly, but how can one think clearly after stuffing there body with greasy McDonald’s and wondering how long it might take for our body to digest the unnatural preservatives in our food. It is simple chemistry, the more organic the product, the easier it will be for your body to accept and also to make use of.

This is same for all the world around us, the more natural that the product is the safer it will be for the overall environment. So many landfills are just piles upon piles and stacks on stacks of waste that is not biodegradable. This is not safe for the ecosystem as these unnatural products release toxins and become and eyesore. Why not choose to be organic? In the end it won’t hurt a soul, but it can make millions of lives safer and thousands of places cleaner.

I remember taking a trip down to Puerto Rico over the summer and being struck in awe by the natural beauty that the country provided and then feeling like I had been slapped in the face when the juxtaposition of the filthy piles of waste that lined the shore appeared in my line of vision, and it was not only in one place, it was all over the place. If we all took simple, easy steps toward creating a healthier world we might not face the environmental issues that we are struggling with today.

Why not do your best to take part in cleaning up this world whenever possible. By buying Eco-friendly, organic products you are saving a whole crop from being poisoned by threatening chemicals. Even more, when you move from simply buying green foods to other green products than your role just became a whole lot more important. When buying organic bedding you are saving a landfill from having another filthy mattress being placed in it ten years down the road because natural bedding is just that good. Give it a try with your delicious new grocery list and then try to incorporate ‘green’ into other aspects of your life.

Tags Environment, green, healthy, natural, organic, pollution

Environment Green Living Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

Clean Energy vs. Nonrenewable Resources

Post author By Jamar Diggs
Post date August 8, 2012
No Comments on Clean Energy vs. Nonrenewable Resources

When you think of the word “clean energy” what comes to mind? Can the average Joe actually define this term? Clean energy is produced by renewable resources. So a way that we are able to make clean energy is by using resources like water, oxygen and the sun. The Organic Comfort Zone CozyPure products are manufactured with the energy from two wind turbines and solar-panels. Heating and cooling needs are controlled by a GeoThermal system. For over a year we’re proud to report a ZERO kWh usage.

Nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, and gas are being depleted quickly and can not be reproduced as fast as they are being used. In order to conserve these limited resources we should look for alternative energy sources.

With alternatives like wind, geo, hydrogen and ocean energy we can recreate an advocate the need of using resources efficiently. Why waste a product that is almost gone?

What do you think about the energy alternatives? What are some other ways to conserve our energy resources? Share your comments below.

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Jamar Diggs is a PR Communications and Social Media team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags bedding factory, clean energy, green energy, renewable energy, virginia

Environment Healthy Lifestyles Made in the USA Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Renewable Energy

Made In The U.S.A

At Organic Comfort Zone we pride ourselves on making all of our CozyPure® products in the U.S.A. When you decide to purchase a product that was completely made in the USA like our LaNoodle pillow versus foreign countries you will feel the highest quality of comfort.

When someone purchases a “Made in the U.S.A” product they can be fairly confident that it is safe. In America we have consumer protection laws and safety standards that protect you and your family. Some foreign countries have low safety standards. Think about how many children’s toys made overseas that ave been recalled because they have been found unsafe or toxic.

The U.S. manufacturing processes implemented here at Organic Comfort Zone are much cleaner for our environment, especially considering we generate our own energy, minimize scraps, and don’t have any chemicals on our premises. Many products produced overseas where there is no regulation, use dangerous processes that pollute our environment. We choose chemical- free organic eco-smart materials to create our CozyPure® products which provide a healthy and comfortable sleep.

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Jamar Diggs is the PR and Communications specialist for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags green energy, healthy sleeping, made in America sheets, Made in the USA, Made in the USA sheets, organic pillows, Pure Organic Comfort, renewable energy

Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Renewable Energy Retailers

CozyPure Organic Mattresses & Bedding in Baltimore Hotel

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date January 6, 2012

The Inn at the Black Olive, who chose CozyPure® mattresses and bedding for their lovely sustainable hotel, will be one of the first to offer our products to consumers in the Baltimore and Washington, DC area.

“Our guests absolutely love the sleep they have during their stay at the Inn,” says Alicia, manager at the hotel, “so offering the products to them is a no-brainer. We’re very excited to take our partnership with CozyPure® in this new direction.”

Cheryl Hahn, President of CozyPure® agrees, “The Inn at the Black Olive is incredible. The people and accommodations are amazing and their commitment to sustainability is extraordinary. Just like us, they utilize clean energy using their own systems and they can also say their bedding was produced using clean energy. It’s a perfect match.”

Tags baltimore organic mattresses & bedding, organic bedding, organic mattress store, organic pillows

Made in the USA Natural Bedroom Renewable Energy Woman-Owned

Manufacturers of organic bedding and mattresses

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date May 4, 2011
No Comments on Manufacturers of organic bedding and mattresses

CozyPure® is so much more than simply a “name-only” brand. Since we are the manufacturer, we are NOT exclusive to being only a retailer, instead we’re a “vertical retailer” which means although we do retail our products direct to the consumer, we also have complete control of those products since we are also the manufacturer.

American Apparel operates under the same structure. And just like us, they too use only employees, friends and customers in their photos and advertisements. We also do virtually everything in-house: from concept and design to marketing and branding to production, packaging and shipping. We have found this is really the only way to maintain the integrity of our brand and produce products that deliver quality and value, while also providing health benefits to both people and planet.

We are NOT a private label, which is usually a stock product from a manufacturers line that has a store brand label attached. We found two websites that state we’re private label, which of course is wrong. Just another reason to be careful what you read out there in cyberspace.

If you visit us you’ll find an abundance of natural and organic raw materials: bolts of certified organic cotton fabric, rolls of both organic cotton and wool batting, natural latex rubber cores, comfort layers, containers of kapok and buckwheat hulls, and of course thousands of LaNoodles.

You’ll notice our bright clean factory with sewing machines and cutting equipment, tufting needles and shears in all sizes, patterns and tape measures, and a floor-to-ceiling shelf packed with prototypes of products-in-the-making.

If you’re really observant you’ll see we have no waste. During patterning we spec our materials for cutting with the least amount of scrap — and even the scrap we spec to tailor towards the manufacture of other products. Waste not want not.

What really makes us unique is the fact that we’re energy-efficient and generate our own renewable energy on-site. Two huge wind turbines in the back and a full array of solar panels on our roof, tie-into our electric meter which runs backwards once we shut down our daily operations.

You can feel confident that we’re a true-green company: from our selection of raw materials, to our manufacturing practices, to our use of renewable energy. We come full-circle start to finish and don’t “just talk” about being green like SO many other manufacturers – we actually “Walk the Talk“.

Manufacturing, specifically in the mattress and bedding industry, is overwhelmingly owned and operated by the male gender; the percentage of women is lower than many other industries. Perhaps that is why some of our competitors claim we’re not manufacturers – they just can’t wrap their heads around the fact that a woman could head-up of the operations of a manufacturing factory. Of course this is only my assumption. But since they assume, I can also assume why they’re assumption is entirely inaccurate. I wanted to write this post because when these false statements were called to my attention, I felt an obligation to “call them out”.

In case you didn’t see it, we recently made a little video showing our factory operations and posted that < here >.

I wanted to assure our customers that we are in fact the actual manufacturer of our CozyPure® products. It’s a joy for me to research the quality of materials, design with function, practicality, value and aesthetics, to provide organic comfort products that I find suitable for use with my own family. There is much to talk about here so I will save this matter and elaborate more details later since May is BETTER SLEEP MONTH and we’ll be going “under cover” to talk about bedding materials. In the meantime…

If you should have any questions or concerns about our products or our company, please be sure to give us a call during normal business hours at 800.229.7571. It is always our pleasure to serve you.

Thank you for twenty years of support.

Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

Tags Made in the USA, Manufacturing, organic bedding, Woman-Owned

Environment Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

We Generate our Own Renewable Energy

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date April 28, 2011
1 Comment on We Generate our Own Renewable Energy

We had fun making this video and thought we’d start with a quick peek at our renewable energy system. The problem with the video is the footage we took is from “Phase One” – about one year ago….

You may notice when we show the solar roof panels there are only a few panels. Now we have over fifty full size panels running side-by-side on almost the entire length of our roof building. Plus two wind turbines in our parking lot.

Our factory, offices, warehouse and retail showroom are energy-efficient meaning we don’t use any traditional incandescent light bulbs. We maintain a moderate yet comfortable temperature with our geo-thermal system. Small on-demand tanks provide instant hot water. We only use energy-efficient appliances, like our Vestfrost refrigerator – same goes for our washing and drying machines.

It’s critical that you reduce your energy consumption with more modern and efficient means before you attempt to generate your own energy!

We’re a business… and for that reason our electricity is “tied-in” to the grid. If for some unforeseen reason our system should have maintenance problems, our back-up would be conventional electricity. What’s really great is our meter goes backwards once we shut down for the day and power down our machines, lights, computers, etc. That’s when WE get to MAKE the power that we’re NOT using and send it back to the electric company. Cool, huh?

Since we’re “tied-in” we have to “pay” for the privilege of being a “customer” in both fees and taxes. Believe it or not, the customer fees and taxes cost more than the fuel that we use. When we have to use the heat or air conditioning, our energy fuel costs average an additional 10 KW a month (we produce approx 6,000 KWH per month).

Keep in mind this is for a 7500 sq ft manufacturing factory plus our offices and storefront. What could be better than using 10 KW in the winter? How about this: Moderate spring-time weather is ZERO $$ – ZERO KW.

That may be why, according to the US Department of Energy, our factory can be considered a “Zero-Energy Building“.

The US Department of Energy defines a zero-energy building as “a residential or commercial building with greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with renewable technologies.”

If we weren’t so busy designing and producing new organic bedding, we’d have time to showcase our renewable energy system a little more to you. It’s something we really love and believe in and it’s something that makes us come fully “true-circle” in our mission of “green bedding” made entirely with our own “green-energy”.

We promise to post more on our solar panels and wind turbines before the year is up! Until then… sleep well.

Cheryl Hahn is the President and Founder of Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure® organic mattresses and bedding and Tomorrow’s World, one of America’s first green-living stores.

Tags organic bedding, renewable energy