Beckons: Fresh, Organic, Fair Trade Fashion

Our Wednesday blog featured tips for how to have a green workout.  The next question: “what to wear?”

Above is just a sample of the stylish, organic cotton yoga wear Beckons has to offer.

EcoGreenOffice doesn’t make any claims of being a fashion connoisseur.  But one of our partners Beckons is serious about creating fresh, ecofriendly clothing that’s perfect for pilates and yoga, or for just hanging out.  

The organic, fair trade clothing line is domestically manufactured in Denver, Colo.  Not only are your purchases from Beckons better for the planet, but also they’re more comfortable.  Organic cotton fibers are longer, softer, less brittle and untainted by chemicals, making them more comfy to wear.

 

Another benefit?  You can be sure your clothing purchases will last for a while, says Becky Prater, Beckon’s founder and owner.    

“When I first started out, I said I wanted to make a piece that they’ll love for years and years.  If you’re striving to be ecoconscious, you have to make something that lasts awhile, or a long, long while,” she says.

Prater started Beckons in 2008 because she saw the need for an organic clothing line that offered more than Earth tone colors. 

“Just because you like organic, doesn’t mean you like Earth tones.  We felt like it was really important to bring colors to that market.  You can see now that people have been expanding into more colorful clothing,” Prater says.

Bright colors are only the beginning.  Beckons’ designs are based on Prater’s creativity and collection of favorite clothing items — only made with organic cotton.  Or, bamboo.  Inspired by the blue party dress worn by Edie Sedgwick in the 1970s, Prater designed a dress made from bamboo, appropriately named The Grace Bamboo dress.

  

“I absolutely love it, and it’s super cute,” Prater says.  EcoGreenOffice would have to agree.

You don't have to worry about Beckons skimping on green practices upstream, or downstream.      

“If you’re going to be green, you have to go all the way,” Prater says.    

Like EcoGreenOffice, Beckons is committed to the triplebottom line, where the planet and people are equally as important as profit.

Being green all the way, also means working with local entrepreneurs, like EcoGreenOffice and using sustainable supplies in your businesses’ practices.  

“I so appreciate that, that there’s a source we can go to support our business,” Prater says of EcoGreenOffice. 

Beckons even ship its products in a unique, sustainable way.  

“I’m really sorry it’s coming in a beer box, but even though it may not look as nice, it’s so much better than coming in a new box,” Prater says. 

And, when the clothing arrives, be prepared to open up more than a box.  Beckons’ clothing embraces the yogic lifestyle.  Each piece has an intention tag with a single characteristic that embodies that way of life: joy, strength, wisdom, grace, love, courage, peace, balance, and integrity.

Embracing this kind of wisdom, Prater views one aspect of the recession as positive

“I think I’m very a mindful shopper and I’m happy to see other people think about how they’re spending their money,” she says.

From style, to comfort, to longevity, to environmentally conscious, there’s no doubt that Beckons clothing is a thoughtful place to spend.    

Here it is: The Grace Bamboo Dress, inspired by Edie Sedgwick - Andy Warhol's muse - and designed by EGO partner Beckons.

Greening the Workday Workout

This year, weight loss and exercise are the top New Year’s resolutions, according to a poll conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

If these New Year’s resolutions sounds familiar, incorporate the ideas below to lower the eco footprint of your fitness and weight-loss routine. 

1) Before you purchase the gym pass, explore the great outdoors.  Stepping right outside the office and going for a run not only cuts back on carbon emissions, but also time.  With only an hour lunch break, fitting in the drive to the gym can be stressful. 

2) Exercise DVDs.  If you workout before or after the workday, be on the lookout for exercise DVDs.  Send an email to coworkers for borrowing exercise DVDs, or suggest an exchange.  Also, consider signing up for online yoga classes through YogaToday or YogaGlo, or picking up some workout DVDs from the local library, suggests Alexis Petru on Earth911.

3) If the weather keeps you in the gym, find a workout partner and choose a gym nearby.  That way, you and a coworker can share rides to the gym, help to motivate one another and cut back on miles traveled.  In between workouts, encourage your gym to adopt green practices, says Alexis Petru on Earth911.  From replacing broken machines with energy efficient ones, offering recycling, to installing low-flow showerheads, there are many ways the gym can lower its footprint.   

4) Keep a few reusable water bottles on hand.  Never have the excuse of forgetting your reusable water bottle, and consider having more than one on hand in places like the office kitchen cabinet, the car, near your desk, or in the gym bag.  That way you'll also remember to stay hydrated.  If you have to use a plastic water bottle, remember to recycle it. Producing new plastic products from recycled materials, instead of virgin materials, reduces energy use by two-thirds, reports Earth911. 

Fitting in time to workout each day, also means being organized.  Set aside some time to organize your desk, or your office before you start the workout routine.  From desktop literature organizers, to ProFormance Crocodile Embossed Pencil Cups, to bookends made from recycled materials, EcoGreenOffice offers  a variety of desktop accessories and workspace organizers for getting things in order the environmentally friendly way. 

Before you start your ecofriendly fitness routine, get organized with supplies from EcoGreenOffice made from recycled materials.  The Recycled Plastic Desk Drawer Organizer Tray pictured above is made from 100 percent recycled content.

For the New Year, Sit Comfortably With A New Office Chair

In a study conducted by the Herman Research Group, office workers spent about 93 percent of their time sitting in their office chair.  The research group also found that back pain is the single more expensive health problem for working age adults. 

Although multiple factors contribute to back pain, sitting comfortably may help to decrease current and future back pain. 

EcoGreenOffice has great deals on new office chairs.  The Veon Executive High-Back Task Chair has ergonomic cushions, which are designed to relieve back pain, and is made from 100 percent recycled content.  It’s also available for free shipping.  The Ignition Series GuestChair, made from 70 percent recycled content, is supplied through EcoGreenOffice for a savings of $78.41 from the listing price.   

  

To prevent your chair from scratching the office floor, consider a recycled office chair mat, made from 100 percent post-consumer content.   

When replacing your old office chair, you can use Earth911 to find a recycling location near your work.  Or, recycle your furniture through reuse options, such as Craigslist, Freecycle and organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army, suggests Earth911.  

Qualifying for free shipping, EcoGreenOffice supplies the Veon Executive High-Back Task Chair pictured above.  The chair has ergonomic cushions, which are designed to relieve back pain, and is made from 100 percent recycled content.  

What’s the Environmental Impact of the Single-Cup Coffee Maker?

As much as you might want that coffee buzz to make it through the workday, drinking the burnt stuff that’s been sitting on the heating unit too long just doesn’t sound appealing.  Grinding and measuring the beans and cleaning the conventional coffee pot can also be a hassle.  It’s no wonder that the ingenious idea for the single-cup coffee maker has made a hit. 

Nearly 46 percent of the dollars going toward the purchase of coffee or espresso makers went to single-serve machines in the 12 months ending in November, reports an article in The Kansas City Star based on information from the NPD Group, a market research firm.

But, what’s the impact of this handy appliance? 

The K-Cup® package — a single-portion coffee packaging made by Keurig Inc., a major seller of the one-cup coffee maker — is put together so the coffee isn’t degraded by oxygen, light and moisture.  But this process of ensuring freshness, or making the foil top with a polyethylene coating and heat-sealing the various elements, makes recycling the packaging difficult, reports Keurig.

Other popular single-serving coffee makers, such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf late’s One Touch machine, and Nespresso make their packaging with materials similar to Keurig Inc., reports the The Kansas City Star article. 

Keurig, however, is working toward finding a more environmentally friendly packaging and has already developed other sustainable practices.  For example, the company has decreased the volume of its packaging by 30 percent and partners with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. based in Vermont, that has a reputation for environmentally friendly practices.  Green Mountain Coffee was the No. 1 buyer of fair trade coffee globally in 2012, reported Fair Trade USA.

In the meantime, do what you can and start composting the coffee or tea after using the single-serving packages and make sure you’ll drink the beverage before you make it. 

And, you can always consider going back to the conventional coffee maker in your office.  If you have an office of coffee fiends, who says that coffee won’t be drunk before it gets burnt?

EcoGreenOffice offers a variety of coffeemakers, including one-cup makers and conventional.  Not to mention, a Combination Coffee/Espresso Machine.

Avoid waste, hassle and burnt coffee with the  ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine supplied through EcoGreenOffice.

GHG Protocol Develops New Standards for Greenhouse Gas Accounting

Green businesses tend to have a common goal of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.  And, they generally want to let their customers know of their success, creating healthy competition. 

However, one business' standards for greenhouse gas accounting may be different from another. 

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) promotes an international standard for greenhouse gas accounting.  More than 1,000 businesses and organizations worldwide have developed their GHG inventories using the GHG Protocol, including 63 percent of Fortune 500 Companies, according to the 2007 Corporate Climate Communications report. 

For 2012, the GHG Protocol has launched two new standards.  These new standards include value chain activities, such as emissions from transporting a product, and the ghg emissions emitted by a specific product during that product’s lifecycle.   

A business interested in using GHG Protocol standards can access calculation tools and / or contact the GHG protocol team.   

Building retrofits and other major changes for reducing your business' greenhouse gas emissions aren't going to happen overnight.  However, ordering green office supplies can be a first easy step toward reducing emissions.  Using energy efficient electronics and recycled materials can all significantly reduce your business' carbon footprint. 

EcoGreenOffice makes it easy to go green in the office, making ecofriendly products easy to order and affordable.  The green office supply company, for example, is offering 5,000 sheets of 100 percent recycled Aspen office paper for $50.99, reduced from the list price of $214.88. 

Any business can become an EcoGreenOffice partner upon ordering a green product or service.  Partners can create a mini company website or "green page" that can be accessed by anyone.  The page can include a company overview, communication to other partners, and special online promotions and advertisements.   Moreover, the page automatically tracks how a businesses' green orders have benefited the environment.  The auto-mated enviro-calculator  is real time and updates as soon as green office products are ordered.

Begin reducing your business' carbon footprint now by using recycled materials and energy efficient electronics.  EcoGreenOffice makes using green products affordable.  The Aspen 100 percent post-consumer content paper pictured above is offered for $50.99 through EcoGreenOffice, down from the list price of $214.88.

Post-Holiday Office, or Home Clean Up The Green Way

Begin the New Year by doing something for the environment, and take care of the post-holiday waste with an ecoconsciously.  It won’t take too much of your time, and some of the tips for old gift cards and wrapping paper may be fun projects ideas to take home to the family for the weekend.   

Give the Christmas Tree a Second Life

About 33 million trees are sold in the U.S. every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  It’s important to keep live Christmas trees out of the dump where they biodegrade slowly because of low oxygen levels, says Leah Blunt in an article on Earth911.com.  Earth911’s Treecycle Program offers the nation’s largest, most comprehensive treecycling directory, with over 4,000 treecycling resources.   

 Make sure to remove all the tinsel, ornaments and garland before you recycle. 

  

Gift Wrap and Holiday Cards

Wrapping paper with non-paper additives, such as glitter, gloss and metallic coatings and with no tape remnants can usually be recycled, according to giftdecorating.com.  You can also check with the local recycling facility to see if they have giftwrap collection programs.   

From creating homemade gift tags, to next year’s holiday wreaths, Alexis Pertu from Earth911.com has listed in her article Reuse Ideas for Holiday Cards and Gift Wrap tons of creative ideas.  

Quick Tips

- If you received some new clothes for the holidays, consider donating the old attire to a charity.

- Recycle the cardboard boxes the gifts came in, or save them for future gifts

- Keep the hoiday décor for the following year.  If you absolutely have to get rid of it, give it to a school, non-profit or another office in town

- Don’t forget to recycle the holiday wreaths too.  Ehow.com has some quick step-by-step instructions for keeping the wreath out of the landfill.

- If you received new office supplies from EcoGreenOffice, or elsewhere this year, look for places where you can recycle or donate the old office supplies, furniture and equipment.  Local schools may be looking for new printers and monitors, for example, and many Staples and Best Buy stores accept a wide array of electronics for recycling drop off.  

If you we're lucky enough this holiday to receive a new printer, like the Prospect Pro205 Wireless All-in-One Printer pictured above, supplied through EcoGreenOffice, remember to look for places to recycle or donate the old equipment.

Register Now for the First Climate Leadership Conference

Interested in exchanging ideas and information on how to simultaneously address climate change and run business operations competitively and sustainably?

Leaders from business, government, academic institutions and the non-profit community will exchange ideas and information at the first annual Climate Leadership Conference, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 29-March 1, 2012.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the headline sponsor. 

Conference attendees will discuss and offer solutions on topics such as setting and achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals, leveraging clean energy opportunities and education and engagement strategies. 

In conjunction with the Climate Leadership Conference, an awards gala will be held to honor award recipients of the Climate Leadership Award, sponsored by the EPA and three non-profit organizations.  The new national awards program recognizes exemplary corporate, organizational and individual leadership in response to climate change.   

A preliminary agenda and schedule for the conference has been announced and registration is currently available.

If you’re traveling to this conference, or another, protect your presentation with the Redrope Artist Portfolio made from 30 percent recycled content supplied through EcoGreenOffice.  The case is extra large, so it’s ideal for transporting large drawings, art and presentation boards and includes a carrying handle. 

Protect your presentation with the the Redrope Artist Portfolio made from 30 percent recycled supplied through EcoGreenOffice.

LEED Retrofits Surpasses New Construction

 Although important to ensure newly constructed buildings are built green, there's currently more than 60 billion square feet of existing commercial buildings in the U.S.  that could be made over.   Greening existing buildings creates jobs, and helps businesses to save money, provide healthier environments for their employees and reduce their carbon footprint.  

New data shows that in 2011, buildings retrofitted to be LEED certified exceeded buildings newly constructed to be LEED certified by 15 million square feet, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). 

An acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED was developed by USGBC in March 2000 and is an internationally recognized rating system.  

LEED certified buildings are reconstructed, or built to be energy and water efficient, greatly decreasing the building's cost of operation.  The recently LEED-certified Empire State building, for example, anticipates a reduction in energy consumption by more than 38 percent, equaling a savings of $4.4 million annually in energy costs.  They also predict implementation costs will be recovered in three years.   

Buildings that have been LEED certified also include indoor environmental quality improvements, such as better air filtration and use of less toxic cleaning products.  

More than 43 million projects are currently participating in the commercial and industrial LEED rating systems, comprising nearly 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries.

Visit USGBC.org to find out how to make your office building, or home LEED certified.

Start cutting energy costs and save money now with CFLs and powerstrips from EcoGreenOffice.  Also, for nontoxic cleaning, and a healthier and safer office environment, EcoGreenOffice has a variety of green cleaning supplies, such as the Simple Green Concentrated Cleaner and nontoxic, all-purpose cleaning wipes. 

You can't make your office building, or home LEED certified overnight.  In the meantime, start creating a healthier office environment with green cleaning products, such the the nontoxic all-purpose cleaning wipes from EcoGreenOffice pictured above.