| For some people, "going green" means living a | | | | NuRem product instruction manuals are paperless |
| life-style that does not endanger the health of | | | | - they're actually on a YouTube video." |
| people or animals, and to others it means | | | | 6. Recycle Office Waste: Waste has become an |
| recycling and choosing environmentally friendly | | | | increasingly difficult environmental and economic |
| products that reduce the negative impact on the | | | | problem that affects us all. Recycling can help |
| planet. For this ecologically sensitive company, | | | | substantially. Nack says his office recycles |
| going green involves nearly every aspect of their | | | | everything they possibly can. "Finding the right |
| bedding business from the materials they use in | | | | community resource is the key. Boulder Colorado |
| their products to their delivery methods. | | | | is a very easy city to be green in. We are even |
| "Going green absolutely governs the way we do | | | | able to recycle #6 Styrofoam and old office |
| business because we don't think of NuRem as | | | | equipment like computer monitors through |
| just a company, we believe that we're part of a | | | | Boulder's Eco-Cycle and their Hard-to-Recycle |
| cause - one that deserves our very best efforts | | | | Materials program." |
| every day," said Nack. He offers these ten tips | | | | 7. Consider Composting: The idea of composting |
| for businesses trying to become more | | | | at the office might seem a little bazaar, but the |
| eco-friendly. | | | | fact is composting is the latest office buzzword. |
| 1. Use Renewable Resources: Renewable | | | | That's because anything made of organic |
| resources are those that can be replaced by | | | | (carbon-based) materials can be composted. That |
| natural processes at a comparable or faster rate | | | | includes food scraps, coffee grounds and filters, |
| than their rate of consumption. "We incorporated | | | | tea bags, napkins, paper plates and towels, |
| renewable resources throughout our mattresses | | | | wax-lined containers and even gum, all of which |
| and bedding products like activated charcoal made | | | | are frequently found in an office environment. |
| from coconut husks (to reduce odors and | | | | "We compost all non-protein based food through |
| moisture), eucalyptus pulp (a renewable resource | | | | Western Disposal's composting program that here |
| to make Tencel ticking), bamboo, and cotton and | | | | started in the Boulder area last year." |
| silk (fast growing, renewable resources used in | | | | 8. Seek Alternative Energy Resources: The |
| our fabric). We also used Castor oil rather than | | | | NuRem corporate office is 100% wind powered. |
| petroleum and green tea instead of toxic | | | | "We switched from being coal powered to 100% |
| chemicals to cure our memory foam mattresses." | | | | wind-powered. We pay a premium to be wind |
| 2. Choose Recyclable Packaging: It is estimated | | | | powered but we felt the cost was well worth it. |
| that about half of what we throw away is | | | | The program is through Excel Energy's |
| packaging materials. Using less packaging and | | | | WindSource program and we're thrilled with it!" |
| more recyclable packaging alternatives can help | | | | 9. Conserve Energy: Even though NuRem uses |
| reduce the mountains of trash overwhelming our | | | | sustainable wind power the company remains |
| landfills. "We slip our compressed foam | | | | energy conscious. "We use only fluorescent bulbs |
| mattresses in reusable bags and then ship them in | | | | at our facility," Nack said. "In addition we power |
| recyclable corrugated cardboard boxes." | | | | down all non-essential computers and equipment |
| 3. Rethink Delivery Methods: Considering | | | | at night, and use a computer scheduled |
| alternative delivery options can reduce shipping | | | | thermostat to reduce consumption during off |
| costs and shrink a company's carbon footprint in | | | | hours." |
| the process. "By compressing our products prior | | | | 10. Transportation: To help save money and |
| to shipping, we have reduced our packaging by | | | | energy, many companies are taking steps to cut |
| 70%. By reducing the size of our packaging we | | | | down on transportation costs. They buy and sell |
| are able to ship our mattresses straight to the | | | | more locally, use direct deposit and online banking, |
| customer using UPS and FedEx. This allows our | | | | cutting down on company travel and encouraging |
| customers to schedule deliveries and it eliminates | | | | their employees to car pool to work. Nack says, |
| NuRem's need for additional shipping facilities and | | | | "All of our employees receive a free bus/RTD |
| delivery trucks." | | | | (Regional Transportation District) pass to get |
| 4. Green Cleaning Products: Green cleaning | | | | them to and from our offices to anywhere in the |
| products include such common kitchen ingredients | | | | Denver/Boulder metro area including the airport. |
| as water, white vinegar, baking soda and castile | | | | As the owner of the company, I walk or ride my |
| soap. Because they use no harsh chemicals they | | | | bike the 8 blocks to work everyday." |
| can increase safety, health, productivity, and | | | | From the raw materials they use in manufacturing |
| return on investment of our facility. "Choosing | | | | their memory foam mattresses to their mattress |
| green cleaning products for the workplace is a | | | | delivery system, every aspect of the business is |
| good first step for any company to take. It's | | | | designed to be part of an environmental solution. |
| easy, doesn't increase expenses and helps raise | | | | To learn more about how NuRem is making a |
| awareness." | | | | difference, visit |
| 5. Go Paperless: The nature of the office and | | | | Nack is proud of the "green" strides his |
| the type of work has a lot to do with the degree | | | | eco-friendly mattress and bedding company is |
| to which you can reduce or eliminate the amount | | | | making. "Of course, we know there's more to be |
| of paper you use. Today's technology makes it | | | | done, and we're committed to keep doing |
| easier than ever to go paperless. "Be innovative | | | | everything we can to improve the health of our |
| and try new things," Nack encourages. "Our | | | | environment and protect the world we all live in. |
| offices are almost completely paperless. Even our | | | | |