Tag: green energy

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

Remodeling the Green Way

Remodeling in a green light is on the rise in the United States. Many houses are even built in a green manor nowadays. If you are look good some good remodeling/decorating tips, look no further. Here are five tips to help you get started on your green home improvement project.

-Lots of open windows will bring in lots of natural light, which will help one cut down on electricity expenses and things of the sort. Not only is natural light green, but it is also beautiful, giving your bedroom/living room/whatever room and open feel, giving the impression of less clutter. Motes of dust swimming in the sunlight can even be considered elegant if looked at in the right angle. Polished surfaces such as hardwood floors or mirrors can also help introduce ample lighting into a room. Reflective glass tiling in one’s kitchen or bathroom is a great idea to incorporate light into your rooms, and the kitchen, above all, should receive ample light. After all, it is the heart of the home.

-Assure that your heating and air conditioning (among other essential living utilities) are of good quality. No need in spending extra money over time because your heating and air isn’t working the way it should be, no need to waste surplus energy that could be saved by checking your ventilation/insulation. Solar and wind energy is also very effective, if you can afford to install it. This is not to say that it does not come at a bargain, it’s just that you have to know where to look and whether or not you will have the means to do it.

-Keep a realistic budget in your sight at all times. There is no use in trying to do a whole bunch of big things that will run your wallet into the ground. Start small, begin with manageable things, DIY kind of things. Demolish those walls yourself, save money on contractors, this way you will have the savings to implement those solar panels or new windows with better insulation. It is all about how you spend your money, how far you can stretch your bargain, and how necessary some of your remodeling might be. Some things might need to be taken from your list in order to make room for others. This is OK! Going into a project expecting everything to get done on a budget that is only so big is never a good idea. Stretch your buck and save yourself.

-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! I can not stress this enough. Remodeling, redecorating, whatever you are doing, it is always a great idea to reuse old things. Thrifts stores and antique shops are great places to find bargains that will make a great addition to your home. Be on the lookout for things all around your neighborhood – old driftwood, furniture, antiques, etc. – there are SO many things that you can do with things that have been lost or thrown away. Always keep in mind that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

potting-soil

-Landscape with native plants. grow your vegetable garden with seasonal crops. Rotate your soil. Compost. Keeping your garden alive and well is important not only for the environment but also for the aesthetic of your home. Would you rather sit out on your porch overlooking a yard full of dried up grass and soil or a garden full of life, thriving. Not only will this help with your home’s aesthetic, but it might also give you something to be proud of, something to keep you entertained, and off of those drug infested street corners.

Don’t forget that a greener mattress is not only a good redecorating decision that will help aid the environment in the long run, it is also an investment in natural, organic comfort.

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eric-SAT-picEric 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.

 

 

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Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

Green to Work

In this day and age people all over are looking for ways to be greener, and if you are reading this blog right now you have already taken one giant step in the right direction. However, being green can be more than buying non-GMO foods and recycling plastic water bottles. In the case of what you drive to and from work each day you can either choose to be green, or you can choose not to be. However, although it may seem expensive to spend money on cars such as the Prius or the Fusion (both of which are great for going green) there are many other ways to save money and live green on the way to work.

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First of all, if you can manage it and you want to stay in shape, it might be time to start biking or walking to work or to school. If the day is sunny and the weather nice, biking or walking is a great method of getting to work. it saves gas money, seeing as there is no gas involved in the process, and it’s great exercise too. Many people forget about the biking option because, of course, many people are too lazy to do it. This is not true in all cases, though. Some people don’t have the bike lanes in their city that promote safety for the bikers themselves. Some people live too far away from work and some people just don’t have time. That’s OK, there are other options.

Like I said in my first paragraph, the option to trade in your car for a car with better mileage, perhaps a Hybrid, would be a wonderful idea. However, it does not have to be a Hybrid, there are plenty of cars on the market that are much cheaper than Hybrids and still have excellent gas mileage. A car with 30 or more miles per gallon will typically save you money and help save the environment in the process. It’s not a bad idea to get a Hybrid, though, and in the end the gas savings that come from purchasing one will add up to be worth the amount of money that you spent on the car itself.

Another option is public transportation. If you live in a city where it is accessible and efficient then you should definitely go for this choice. It is typically cheaper than driving your own car to and from work everyday so long as you buy a pass that lasts for a month or a week. Public transportation includes anything ranging from the bus to the light rail to the subway. Most cities at least have a bus system that is capable of taking people where they need to go, so why not use it if you have it?

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You can carpool with someone who works with you or goes to school with you. Carpooling saves a person from having to use more gas than needed as long as a good friend or co-worker can help you out with a ride. There should be no problem with it so long as you’re comfortable with the person whom you are riding with. Work out some details with them and you will be green to go.

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Miscellaneous

CozyPure® Selected as Finalist for the People & Planet Awards

CozyPure® shows off our  “green thumb” by becoming one of the top 10 finalists for Green America’s People & Planet Awards. Out of 100 other nominated businesses CozyPure® has the opportunity to obtain $5,000 because of our commitment to clean, renewable energy. This reward goes to the top 3 businesses that receive the most votes from the public.

CozyPure® goes full circle when it comes to advocating sustainability. CozyPure® is the only organic and green bedding manufacturer in America to utilize a trio-system of wind, solar and geothermal on-site to produce 100% of the power for their factory, office, warehouse and retail store. Since early 2011 the company has been using zero kWh, which makes them a “Net Zero Energy Building,” something that most companies cannot claim. They are also an EPA Power Partner.

Contribution to clean energy:

  • Total 146 Solar Panels – 34.4 kW = 84,000 kWh Annually
  • Total 2 Wind Turbines – 3.6 kW system = 5,400 kWh Annually
  • Total On-Site Clean Energy – 38 kW system = 89,400 kWh Annually

 

Public voting will continue through Nov. 30, 2012 until 5 p.m. CLICK HERE to vote for CozyPure.

For information about Green America: www.greenamerica.org

For information about the People & Planet Awards: www.greenamerica.org/about/newsroom

 

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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.

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Press Releases

CozyPure® Selected as Finalist for Green America’s People & Planet Awards

Click here to download press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamar Diggs • (757) 480-8500 • jdiggs@cozypure.com

Nov. 13, 2012

Green Business Manufacturing Green Energy

Norfolk, Va. – CozyPure® shows off their “green thumb” by becoming one of the top 10 finalists for Green America’s People & Planet Awards. Out of 100 other nominated businesses CozyPure® has the opportunity to obtain $5,000 because of their commitment to clean, renewable energy. This award goes to the top 3 businesses that receive the most votes from the public.

CozyPure® goes full circle when it comes to advocating sustainability. CozyPure® is the only organic and green bedding manufacturer in America to utilize a trio-system of wind, solar and geothermal on-site to produce 100% of the power for their factory, office, warehouse and retail store. Since early 2011 the company has been using zero kWh, which makes them a “Net Zero Energy Building,” something that most companies cannot claim. They are also an EPA Green Energy Power Partner.

Contribution to clean energy:

  • Total 146 Solar Panels – 34.4 kW = 84,000 kWh Annually
  • Total 2 Wind Turbines – 3.6 kW system = 5,400 kWh Annually
  • Total On-Site Clean Energy – 38 kW system = 89,400 kWh Annually

Public voting will continue through Nov. 30, 2012 until 5 p.m.

For More information, contact Jamar Diggs at (757) 480-8500

# # #

CozyPure® is one of the first eco stores in America. Manufactured in Norfolk, Va. CozyPure® has developed some of the most trusted brands in the organic and the home furnishings industry. CozyPure® is one of the nation’s leading organic mattress and bedding companies by maintaining quality, comfort, durability and aesthetics while using textiles made from renewable, sustainable resources for products actually made to last decades.


ORGANIC COMFORT ZONE
201 W. Ocean View Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23503

Categories
Environment Green Living Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

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.

Categories
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.

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News Coverage

Hampton Roads Magazine – Green Dreams: Bringing Sustainability to Slumber

April 2010

By Michael Jon Khandelwal

When Cheryl Hahn moved to Hampton Roads more than 20 years ago, she was drawn to the region’s natural beauty and soon realized she had a strong desire to do something to help sustain it.

She and her husband, Richard, started Tomorrow’s World, a retailer that offered green products. And after her husband decided to pursue other opportunities, the business became the Organic Comfort Zone in Norfolk’s Ocean View neighborhood. Here, Hahn, 46, oversees the manufacture and sale of dozens of green products from pillows to mattresses.

Hahn spoke with Hampton Roads Magazine about all things green from her office next door to where she and her husband are getting ready to open another green venture—Sunrise Solar and Wind, specializing in solar panels, instant hot water heaters and wind turbines.

What gave you the passion to open a green business?
When we moved here, we did a lot of research and there were not a lot of green products available. We wanted to change that. We opened the first store and offered a lot that was green like light bulbs, body care and recycling tools. As products started to become more available in general, we stopped selling them because we want to want to be a pioneer of what should be. I had a background in textiles, so when my husband left the business, it was only natural for me to want to get to that end of it as well as manufacturing. I have a real passion for this. The bedroom is the place you spend more time than anywhere else—you shut down, you’re vulnerable—it should be a healthy sanctuary. Our products have to be high quality and beautiful, good for the environment and good for you.

How does having your own manufacturing contribute to being a green business?
Number one is reducing our carbon footprint, and that’s especially true when we sell to our customers in Hampton Roads. We’re also a green manufacturer; and I like that we can choose everything we use. All our components are green—organic and natural wool, cotton, natural latex—everything is sustainable and renewable. Our La’Noodle pillow was invented after noticing foam manufacturers were throwing away all the little scraps and leftovers. We committed to purchasing it to make the pillow filling—that keeps it out of the landfills.

We use fluorescent lighting; we have geothermal heat and our wind turbines are going up soon. Soon, our sewing machines will be powered by green power. I think we’ll be the only bedding manufacturer in the country that produces green bedding with our own green power—not buying green power, which is great, but producing our own green power.

What’s one thing you’d like everyone to know when they are considering an organic or green purchase?
Most green things have a really good return on investment. Products like compact fluorescent light bulbs cost a little more, but you’re saving on power and they last you for 10 years. If you look at the big picture, the whole life cycle of the product, going is actually cheaper. Also, consumers should be aware that “green washing” is very big right now. A label could say the product is green, but you have to be cautious as to what you are getting. Just because it says “green” doesn’t mean it’s green. Research the company, the manufacturer, the retailer.

What advancement would you like to see take place in the next 20 years?
Green energy, especially here in Hampton Roads with the wind and solar energy—we have so much potential. I’m a big advocate of the beauty of wind turbines. I’d rather see a wind turbine any day than a power line.

What do you like most about Hampton Roads?
We enjoy the water that’s everywhere. Hampton Roads has a very nice natural environment; it’s beautiful here. People are friendly and laid back, especially when compared to where I’m from. I’m used to people hanging up on you when you call them. Here people take the time to talk.