Tossing and turning, and hot uncomfortable sleep are outdated. They also are unhealthy. One of the most exciting trends discussed at last month’s Las Vegas Market was the public’s growing interest in gel beds and “cool and healthy sleep” bedding products that support a better night’s rest.
Both were heavily referenced during Furniture/Today Executive Editor Dave Perry’s State of the Bedding Industry presentation. Perry had previously predicted that, “Gel beds will be more common in Las Vegas than casino chips” – and he was right! We at BiOH® polyols also are predicting that this trend will take off at a remarkable speed within the specialty sleep category.
Two new BiOH® products for healthier sleep
There are now nearly a dozen gel bedding products on the market from such well-known names as Simmons, Sealy, Kingsdown and Serta. Most, if not all, combine memory foam with gel technology. Now BiOH® is debuting two new products to fill this growing demand: one is a memory foam and the other is a gel.
It’s an exciting new direction for the bedding industry because these products have the strong potential of giving consumers the best sleep of their lives. And just imagine the health and productivity benefits of having millions of well-rested Americans!
We make cool, healthy sleep plus environmental sustainability possible with two brand new products:
• BiOH® polyols renewable urethane gel: Ideal for a host of cool sleep products, this new polyol can produce urethane gel with greater than 90 percent renewable content.
• BiOH® polyols next generation “cool” memory foam: A breakthrough product with more than 50 percent renewable content. This new viscoelastic foam dissipates heat 25 percent faster than comparable memory foams.
Other experts and trend watchers agree that cool sleep technology is creating a new wave of excitement for the industry. To learn more, call 877-765-9246.
These days we are so used to being tired, that most of us hardly remember what it felt like be well rested! Demands on our time – from shift work and family obligations to jet lag and 24-hour business cycles – cut short our sleeping hours. And our stress levels prevent us from enjoying a good quality of sleep once we do finally crawl into bed. It’s no wonder that U.S. retail coffee sales rose 19 percent last year! We are all battling to stay awake.
Jessa Gamble, an award-winning writer and expert on our internal body clocks’ struggle against our urban schedules, describes an interesting study. When people lived without artificial light, they slept twice at night. They slept from 8 p.m. to midnight, had two hours of meditative quiet in bed during which their bodies produced abnormally high levels of prolactin*, then they slept again from 2 a.m. until sunrise.
The study participants reported that they felt they were experiencing true wakefulness for the first time in their lives.
Do your customers want to feel that wide awake tomorrow morning?
The statistics say it all: we’re tired! According to a Gallup poll, three in 10 Americans don’t feel well rested. A Harvard study found that 40 percent of college students feel well rested just two days per week. The most revealing of all: Only about four in 10 people responding to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation said they got a good night’s sleep every night, or almost every night, of the week.
Sell a better night’s sleep
People want better sleep. Their bedding is a means to that end. Your goal is to give them the confidence that what they are buying will help them wake up in the morning feeling more refreshed.
Become a better sleep expert. Earn their trust by giving them other ideas, in addition to their bedding, that might contribute to a better night’s rest. We will continue to provide information on this topic here.
When the conversation turns to bedding, point out that temperature regulation is important to sleep quality. Mattresses, mattress foam toppers and pillows made with the new BiOH® visco polyol provide a cooler, more comfortable sleep. Studies show memory foams produced with this new product dissipate heat more quickly, cooling off 15-40 percent faster than memory foams using infused gel technology. Foams made with BiOH® Polyols are also less sensitive to temperature overall, so they stay softer at cooler temperatures.
Many people overlook some of the most obvious components to a good night’s sleep simply because they don’t know about them. Let’s start a new trend in 2012 of better educated consumers who understand the value of great bedding!
*Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Prolactin levels fluctuate throughout the day, and are highest during sleep.
Smart interior design can also have low environmental impact. From window shades and blinds to floor coverings, there are many products today made with recycled or sustainable materials.
Here are some of our favorite tips to pass along to customers.
• Certified fair-trade goods: Many are produced by independent worker cooperatives. The emphasis is respect for the environment, gender equity and fair working conditions. You might be surprised to see what can be made from recycled phone books!
• Think durability. Products that last a long time means that fewer will wind up in landfills.
• Choose natural fibers for rugs, linens and other textiles. Today there are a wide range of items to complement just about any décor.
• Hunt for recycled merchandise. Take advantage of someone else’s redecorating plans. Perfectly good lamps, vases and other decorative items can frequently be found in Craig’s List, at garage sales, flea markets and in resale and antique stores.
• Adorn your table with beeswax candles. These aren’t just natural, they actually burn cleaner.
• Refresh walls with low-VOC paints. It’s an easy way to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
• Buy local whenever possible. It cuts down on transportation, which means less use of fuel.
• Look for the green and white “Made with BiOH®” hang tag on furniture. This tag says, “ BiOH polyols are soy-based ingredients that replace a portion of the petroleum materials in foam. They have a smaller environmental impact through lower energy use and a smaller carbon footprint while supporting farmers.”
• Use vintage tableware. This is much easier on the environment than paper plates and plastic utensils.
• Decorate with live potted plants. Research shows that healthy, well-maintained plants improve air quality, brighten people’s moods, and may even help to keep your home at an optimal humidity level.
Consumer demand for resource-efficient homes is on the rise. As people remodel, or move into new homes, they also are likely to need furnishings to complete their new space. This is the ideal time to help these environmentally conscious buyers think “eco-friendly” while decorating their homes.
Consider how to complement green home construction
Green builders try to minimize the environmental impact of a home by considering environmental factors as well as resource efficiency. Practical homeowners embrace green construction because it helps them cope with increasing energy prices as well as diminished water resources. For more on talking with customers about living green with BiOH® , see our video.
Indoors, these green homes are designed to have cleaner air – which appeals to health-conscious consumers. Everything from HVAC equipment to formaldehyde-free finishes are taken into consideration. These are all proactive approaches to give the homeowners a kick start on green, sustainable living.
Which woods should you recommend?
• Reclaimed wood: Handcrafted wood has unique character, and is available in everything from floorings to furniture. You may have heard of reclaimed barn wood. The trend now includes teak and other high-end woods. (Similarly, those concerned about the world’s deforestation are avoiding furniture made with species known to be threatened such as new Teak and Mahogany, as well as woods from endangered forests or areas where illegal logging is a problem such as Indonesia, the Philippines and South America. Some woods from these regions are, however, certified sustainable.)
• Renewable wood: Eco-friendly choices for furniture include bamboo, mango, coconut palm, beechwood and cork – most of which are fast growing and easily replenished.
• Recycled products: Some amazing furnishings are also being fashioned from recycled plastic and paper.
• Sustainable fibers: Choices include hemp, soy silk, cotton, corn, bamboo, coconut charcoal, wool and jute.
• Water hyacinth: This plant is invasive in tropical waterways. Because it needs to be cleared, it’s a good choice.
Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is considered a gold standard for wood sourcing. An international organization, the FSC promotes responsible stewardship of the world’s forests through certificates for forest management and chain of custody administered by third-party auditors.
Avoiding toxic finishes
Many paints, sealers and lacquers contain volatile organic compounds that qualify them to be classified as hazardous waste. Earth-friendly stains and finishes are frequently made with such natural materials as lime, clay, seed oils, citrus-peel extracts and milk proteins. Choose water-based sealers and finishes classified as low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Other good choices include whey-based finishes and natural waxes.
The BiOH impact
BiOH polyols are produced in both the United States and in Brazil to serve our global customer base. Today all of the soybeans we use to produce BiOH polyols for our foam manufacturing customers in the U.S. and Canada are sourced from North America.
For our Brazilian manufacturing facility, soybeans are sourced locally in Brazil. Responsible sourcing is very important to Cargill (that owns the BiOH polyol business.) Cargill works closely with the environmental group, The Nature Conservancy, to help Brazilian farmers learn and apply the best soy production practices while complying with environmental laws. In 2006, Cargill joined other leading Brazilian soy processors and exporters in announcing an agreement designed to curb deforestation in the Amazon due to soy planting.
The centerpiece of the agreement is a pledge not to purchase soy from lands in the Amazon biome that are deforested after July 24, 2006. Cargill is committed to working in partnership with others in the industry, the Brazilian national and local Governments, relevant institutes, local communities and NGOs in the areas in which we are present.
The BiOH® Polyols team extends our congratulations to Sauder Woodworking, which was named the 2011 winner of the home furnishing industry’s prestigious Sage Award for environmental excellence. The award was given last month during the Open Day Press Breakfast at the High Point Market. Other finalists included Crypton Super Fabrics and Leggett &Platt Home Furniture Components. This was the fourth consecutive year that BiOH® polyols has partnered with the AHFA to present the Sage Award winner with a $2,500 donation to any non-profit organization of its choice.
The Sage Award is an opportunity to recognize excellence in the home furnishings and bedding industries through honoring and acknowledging companies who lead in area of:
Reducing their environmental footprint
Expanding their positive social impact
Running a profitable business
The purpose of the Sage Award is to seek out, discover and recognize true industry innovators from whom others can learn. This award is founded on the belief that environmental excellence is an ongoing journey requiring flexibility, insight and constant learning. The annual Award honors businesses that demonstrate a passion for and a sustained commitment to that journey.
North America’s leading producer of ready-to-assemble furniture, Sauder Woodworking, embodies these environmental requirements and many more. Long before “sustainability” was a global concern, Sauder Woodworking’s reuse of scrap material and efficient, RTA shipping was setting a standard for sustainable business practices for the future.
Today the company uses:
Over 95 percent of the wood fiber used to produce the wood components of Sauder furniture comes from post-industrial or post-consumer recycled wood.
All engineered wood components meet or exceed California’s formaldehyde emissions limits.
The composite wood panels used in Sauder furniture use up to 95 percent of the wood resource, compared to an average of 60 to 65 percent that is used when constructing solid wood furniture.
Back panels are constructed using 100 percent post-consumer recycled material.
All coatings and adhesives are either water based or are 100 percent solids. None are solvent based.
Since 2010 alone, the company has invested over $2 million in processes to recover and reuse wood waste; $1.5 million to convert lighting in over 4 million square feet of manufacturing space; and $1.7 million in a system to optimize air flow and reduce energy use.
Finalist, Leggett & Platt Home Furniture Components,has been producing furniture components for over 125 years and sells its engineered components to over 1,500 furniture makers worldwide. All 13 of the company’s Home Furniture Components facilities in six states areimplementing A-H-F-A’s EFEC – “Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture” environmental management system. Since beginning the efforts in 2008, the 13 facilities have realized enormous reductions in energy and water use. They also have reduced the use of raw materials and packaging and minimized waste production. Packaging innovations alone reduced tons of corrugated waste and saved tens of thousands of dollars.
Finalist Crypton Super Fabric is a specially engineered fabric system with an integrated moisture barrier. Unlike applied fabric protection coatings, Crypton’s environmentally friendly, patented process is engineered into the fabric, encapsulating every fiber. The company’s manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, N.C., leverages best practices and manufacturing technologies to consume less water and energy, emit less pollution and reduce the use of packaging materials. The company also supports the development of the Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabric.
The competition for this year’s award was challenging. The incredibly talented judges representing furniture and bedding industry leaders, environmental journalists, sustainability experts & the furniture industry business press were:
Sharon Bradley, Executive Director of the Wester Home Furnishings Association
Heather Gadonniex, Environmental Product Declaration program manager of the Underwriters Laboratories
Leslie Guevarra, associate editor for Greener World Media, the online publishing group founded by Joel Makower
Jessica Kellner,Editor in Chief of Natural Home Magazine
Jean Nayer, former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day Special Interest Magazines and author of “Green Living by Design”
Powell Slaughter, Editor at Home Furnishings Business
Ryan Trainer, President of the International Sleep Products Association
Steve Walker, Assistant Directorof the Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center at North Carolina State University
Criteria for judging is based on three key points; Sustainable Business Practices, Commitment to Social Responsibility and Profitable Growth. We commend all entrants for their dedication to these efforts.
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA with finalist from Crypton Fabrics and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA, with 2011 Sage Award Winner Kevin Sauder from Sauder Woodworking and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA with the Leggett & Platt finalists and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on August 12, 2011
Sometimes, we need to treat ourselves to a break, especially during summer. After all the hard work you put in at your job, a vacation is definitely well-deserved. So get out your suitcases, sundresses, board shorts, flight tickets, and let’s go! But hold on. Have you given thoughtabout how eco-friendly your vacation spot is for you or your family? Oftentimes we are so focused on the idea of fun and adventure that we forget the potential ecological consequences these grandiose trips can cause. This summer, keep fun and the environment in mind!
Here are some general tips for an eco-friendly vacation:
Pick Driving over Flying: No one wants to drive to their dream destination when a simple one-way plane ticket can be bought. But you’d be surprised on how much driving lessens the ozone damage and carbon footprint we make on our environment. Air travel itself causes 3% of total U.S. carbon emissions! That number is only expected to rise over time as population grows.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Hotel: Many hotels and other resort accommodations have started renovations based on new environmental standards and needs. Some use ‘Energy Star’ or solar power to reduce energy consumption while many others have started recycling programs.
Pick a Single Destination: Not only will this allow you to save money on gas, hotel expenses, and other expenditures, exploring just one destination will allow you to truly explore the depth of the location through learning its culture and mingling with its locals.
Travel Light: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Bring only what you need to bring; instead of buying everything in new plastic travel-size containers, reuse old ones. Also, bring a reusable water bottle! J
Walk or Bike to and from Attractions: Again, doing this will not only save you from spending ridiculous amounts of money on transportation fees, but will also really give you the chance to see the place from a scenic perspective.
If you are really stuck on where to go, here are some wonderful eco-friendly places to explore!
Napa Valley (California): If you want great variety in your travel, this is where it’s at. Napa Valley has seven ‘Regions of the Valley’, with each region containing its own local attractions. The American Canyon, one of the regions, has lots of eco-friendly accommodations, including World’s First Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified Hotel called Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa. Its restaurant is very environmentally conscious in its food preparation, using only locally produced food. The hotel itself is made of sustainable designs, including carpets made from recycled materials.
Crystal Mountain and Resort Spa (Michigan): The Midwest has a lot to offer in scenery and chances for a healthy relaxation. The Crystal Spa is the only LEED certified spa in the Midwest and offers many organic products. In addition, there are outdoor programs near the resort, such as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can explore the sand dunes that rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan.
Amelia Island Plantation Resort (South Florida): Want some fun in the sun? The resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has been active in its eco-friendly practices since 1971 when it first opened. You can either golf away on a golf course that uses reclaimed water for irrigation, or take a trip down to the nature center to learn about the creatures that dwell around the resort. Amelia’s Wheels is another activity where you can rent bikes or golf carts to the trails.
Highland Lodge (New Hampshire): If you love hiking through the mountains, this is the perfect spot for you. Located in the east, the lodge offers a great deal of hiking trails as well as educational programs where guests can learn the history and making of the trails. It is a part of the Highland Center, where a great deal is made out of recycled steel with natural vegetation in front. Both parents and kids can take “Green Tours” and learn about ecology, rock climbing, how to track animals, etc.
Now you can grab your suitcases and everything else you need for an eco-friendly vacay with family or friends! There are plenty of choices out there to explore, ones that not only offer adventure, but a chance to learn and appreciate the environment that we live in. With that being said, I’m now going to pack my own bags for my own eco summer excursion!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on June 23, 2011
If you missed the opportunity last summer to buy BiOH® soy-based pillows at your local Target® store, have no fear because trial number two is here! Yes, that’s correct. Nearly 130 selected Target stores nationwide will carry two types of BiOH® pillows starting today! Hurry in today because these pillows are limited while supplies last!
This opportunity is just one of Target’s many eco-friendly initiatives; keep reading to discover the steps they have taken on the path to sustainability.
Target®’s eco-friendly brands: Belle Baby Organic Carrier, Dr. Bonner, Burt’s Bees, the Method collection, LEDs, Recycle Paper Greetings, Archer Farms Organic, etc. Many products listed under these brands consist of organic or biodegradable components. (Source: Target.com)
November 2007: Target® Stores Archer Farms brand has Green-e certification label and paperboard packaging as approved by Forest Stewardship Council—leads to more sustainable packaging. (Source: Environmental Leader)
May 2008:Target®’s eco-friendly clothing line by Rogan Gregory debuts at Barneys New York—uses 100 percent certified organic cotton and other natural fibers. (Source: Wall Street Journal)
April 2010: Target® establishes community recycling stations in all 1,740 stores nation-wide to promote Earth Day. (Source: Earth911.com)
March 2011: Target® launched green sweepstakes contest and new online green boutique; winner received “Refresh Your Nest” home makeover using earth-friendly products. (Source: Target Pressroom)
May 2011: Target® launched project to build new libraries for 42 new schools nation-wide, using eco-friendly designs and technology upgrades. (Source: Target Pressroom)
Target Home® brand memory foam pillows with BiOH® polyols soy-based pillows will not only remedy those stiff necks and sleepless nights, but also give YOU the opportunity to support a more sustainable environment. Definitely a win-win situation.
Here are the details:
Contour Memory Foam Pillow with BiOH® by Target Home®
Open cell memory foam maintains comfortable sleeping temperatures; contour design conforms to support your head and neck and has soft velour removable cover.
Price: $17.99
SKU DPCI 062-05-0056
Memory FoamDeluxe Bed Pillow with BiOH® by Target Home®
Temperature-sensitive memory foam is ventilated for cooler, sleeping, molded design is perfect for all sleeping positions and has a removable cover for easy wash and care.
Price: $22.99
SKU DPCI 062-05-0057
To find a Target store near you that carries pillows made with BiOH® polyols, check out the BiOH® polyols Store Locator. for all BiOH® soy-based product offerings.
We as individuals have to realize that we can and have the responsibility to lessen our environmental footprints, even if it starts with a step as small as purchasing an environmentally-friendly pillow. This opportunity with Target® gives consumers the ability to help the environment by providing the choice of renewable products. Hurry in today while supplies last!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on May 13, 2011
A few months ago the BiOH® polyols team tested retail training content in collaboration with the Sustainable Furnishings Council. These two forces joined together and launched an online webinar approach to educating retail sales associates about eco friendly home furnishings.
Furnitureland South, a large retailer in North Carolina was the first to test the content and nearly one hundred associates were trained. After the training, Furnitureland South reported a sales increase on products with BiOH® polyols content and said that the training definitely helped their staff promote these options that many consumers who normally wouldn’t even know exist.
Watch this testimonial to see the impact this training course had on Furnitureland South sales associate Cameron Lindsay.
As part of this test, the store was also provided in-store collateral such as stickers, key message pocket cards and sell sheets. These supplemental materials were successful tools as well. Retail sales professionals understand the importance of training and BiOH® polyols is committed to the investment of sustainable home furnishings product training. We offer this program to any of our partners who incorporate BIOH® polyols so please contact us if you would like more information.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on April 12, 2011
For the month of April, BiOH® polyols is running an online contest through their fan page to donate to the WorldBed™ organization’s relief efforts around the world.
For every entry or individual who “Likes” the BiOH fan page in the month of April, one dollar will be donated to the WorldBed organization. In addition, every new “Like” will be entered in a contest for a chance to win one of four $50 Target store gift cards. If we reach our goal and maximum donation of two thousand dollars, we will be able to purchase approximately fifty-two beds for world relief efforts through the WorldBed Organization.
WorldBed was created in 2005 to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, and has since provided relief beds featuring specialized three-inch water resistant, medical grade covered foam to citizens of Haiti, Chile, Africa, and Japan. Anatomic Global, a California-based manufacturer of memory foam sleep products, is the organization’s founding sponsor. WorldBed’s goal is to distribute 200,000 beds worldwide to places and people in need.
The donation giveaway period will run through midnight on April 30, 2011. For more information and official rules, please visit our fan page to “Like” BiOH® today!
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on March 25, 2011
If you have been paying attention to the latest interior design or home decorating trends you will know that upholstered headboards and beds are all the rage right now. Many retailers are offering a variety of options for these cool accessories to add pizzazz to any bedroom décor.
Among that list of upholstered headboard manufacturers, you can now add Broyhill Furniture as well. They best part about the Broyhill selection is that they have the style and quality craftsmanship of custom pieces without the large price tag. In addition, they are offering high quality products at an incredible value and being environmentally responsible while doing so. Yes, these new headboards use BiOH polyols soy-based foam for the cushioning!
Starting at just $1039, these pieces are available now for the first time ever and offer four different styles that will suit every design desire.
Andrina Upholstered Bed-traditional and classic with a high profile
Hamlyn Upholstered Bed-modern classic meets traditional with a smooth texture
Penley Upholstered Bed-simplistically modern with a soft dramatic flair
Sterlyn Upholstered Bed-the perfect mix of contemporary, sophisticated and classic
For more information about Broyhill products visit: www.broyhillfurniture.com and be sure to “Like” them on Facebook.
The BiOH experience offers resources for you to learn and participate in helping communities and the environment. It is brought to you by the BiOH polyols business — a maker of soy-based ingredients for foam. Please explore our site and then share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you!
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