Tag: renewable energy

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Environment Green Living Miscellaneous Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Press Releases

Project Earth Day: Fashion Trashion Runway Show

As manufacturers of natural latex mattresses and organic bedding, CozyPure has a year-round dedication to earth-friendly practices.  Not only do we manufacture GREEN bedding using only renewable and sustainable materials, we are eco-conscious in all of our operating procedures right down to the light bulbs we use in our showroom and workshop.  Although we like to think of everyday as a day to celebrate Earth and her renewable resources, we join the rest of Earth’s inhabitants to celebrate “Earth Day” on April 22 each year.  CozyPure typically has a sale each year to celebrate Earth Day and of course that is well received!  This year we will be doing something new and exciting (in addition to a sale):  A fashion show in which contestants will be challenged to use their creativity to design a wearable fashion using only local business scraps and waste, otherwise headed to the landfill.

On April 22, 2016, The Venue on 35th in the Park Place District of Norfolk will host Project Earth Day: Fashion Trashion Runway Show. Sponsored by CozyPure, Virginia Fashion Week and The Venue, this fashion competition is open to all ages and levels of experience.  project-earthday-poster

This community event seeks to showcase Hampton Roads’ creative talent while participating in environmental stewardship through the demonstration of upcycling – also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless and/or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.

Attendees of the event will enjoy a runway show featuring the designs, as well as Earth Day-themed live performances by area talent presented in interims throughout the show.

All interested contestants are encouraged to register at http://www.cozypure.com/projectearthday. Spots are limited, first come first serve.

The general public is welcome to attend the event on Earth Day, April 22nd at the Venue on 35th located at 631 W 35th Street in Norfolk. Doors open at 6pm. Runway show starts at 7pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase through a local non-profit organization. Contact CozyPure Organic Mattresses and Bedding for more information, 757-480-8500.

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Green Living Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding

From Rubber Milk to Latex: How is your Latex processed?

In the past 25 years CozyPure has accumulated customers from all over the country; Even before the internet, we were able to serve customers nationally through our catalog. Since purchasing a mattress is quite the investment, we have customers call our Norfolk, VA facility every day asking questions to help them finalize their purchasing decision. Some common questions include: the difference between our Organic Mattress and Natural Latex Mattress, how to determine the proper firmness, what materials are used in our all natural products and just general concerns you would expect from someone shopping for a new mattress.

I’ve also noticed that some consumers do a little more research than others and have very specific questions,like is our latex “dunlop” or “talalay.” I knew the answer to be “dunlop” but I did not know the difference between the two and decided to do some research. Here is what I found:

Natural latex starts out the same; Rubber milk is harvested from the rubber tree. You can read more about how CozyPure’s latex is harvested in our blog post, “Organic Comfort Made Fresh Daily with Farm Fresh ingredients.”RubberTree

After the rubber milk is harvested the way it is made into durable and all-natural latex varies; It will either be the “dunlop” process or the “talalay” method. Dunlop latex is mixed with a gelling agent while still in its liquid form and then put in molds and introduced to heat through a vulcanization oven. This vulcanization process is what turns the rubber milk into a durable foam rubber. It is then washed out to remove any naturally occurring impurities and then dried. A fairly simple process, which makes Dunlop latex more affordable and more eco-friendly. The Talalay process is more complicated. It requires the latex to be placed in a mold and then introduced to a vacuum for expansion, then frozen. The gelling occurs when carbon dioxide gas is forced through the mold. After the vacuum, freezing and gelling, it is then vulcanized. In addition to being a more expensive and less environmentally responsible process, it is not available in as many sizes and a naturally occurring topper is not made in the process as in the Dunlop process.

When discussing with Cheryl Hahn, the owner of CozyPure, about why CozyPure uses Dunlop latex in the crafting of our CozyPure organic mattresses, she refers to the Dunlop process as “tried and true.” “What I particularly like about our Dunlop latex rubber is that we deal direct with the grower. The latex is processed on site at the plantation. We never have to wonder what it went through before getting to us.” Hahn sums up her preference by saying, “It is grown there, harvested there, processed there and shipped directly to us.”

The Dunlop process results in the most natural latex available.
The Dunlop process results in the most natural latex available.

It may have been believed at one time that Talalay latex provided a softer alternative to the original Dunlop latex, however through constant improvements the Dunlop process has become more sophisticated. Through density variations and sculpting, Dunlop latex can acheive any desired softness while maintaining the firmness that makes it sought after. CozyPure’s mattresses are available in varying configurations to accommodate the various softness needs of individuals. If you are a discerning customer that wants to know how your latex is processed, now you know!

 

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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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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.

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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.

Categories
Environment Miscellaneous Renewable Energy

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.

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