2011. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about OMBE's green business practices. We have divided our green practices into five areas: guest services, recycling, energy usage, environmentally-friendly practices, and community work done in Boston neighborhoods. Every year we review our green plan to improve our environmentally-friendly products and services as well as our sustainability as a locally-owned, small business.

This year, OMBE is happy to announce the opening of our Eco-Beauty Bar. The Eco-Beauty Bar will feature eco-friendly health and beauty products that have been selected based on their green ratings, peer reviews, and performance!

OMBE will also continue to host SAGE-a networking group for eco-friendly companies local to Boston. The goal of SAGE is to build business referrals for green companies by connecting them with like-minded ecopreneurs.

OMBE is also excited for our new Eco-Moms group. All parents and kids are welcome! Join us for monthly speakers, discussions about holistic parenting issues as well as time for moms and kids to connect. If you would like to attend as a guest or have additional questions about OMBE's green practices, please contact us.

GUEST SERVICES. Organic cotton sheets and towels. Organic massage oils free of parabens. Organic, biodegradable and fair-trade teas. Eco-friendly yoga mats: biodegradable, PVC-free and made from renewable sources. Bamboo yoga props. Organic cotton yoga blankets and straps. Phosphate-free laundry detergents and soaps.

RECYCLE, REUSE AND REDUCE. Brochures printed on 100% recycled and 100% post-consumer waste paper (PCW). 100% recycled and 100% PCW office paper. 100% recycled and 80% PCW paper towels, toilet paper and miscellaneous paper products. 100% recycled and 20% PCW facial tissue. Paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum and glass: 100% ecopod recycled. Ink cartridges, CFLs and electronic equipment: 100% recycled. 16% recycled and 24% PCW garbage bags. 60-82% recycled pens, pencils and desk accessories. We use two-sided printing and copying only. All paper is reused as scrap and 100% recycled. We ask our vendors to reduce packaging and promotional materials. We stopped unwanted junk mail and signed the 'Do Not Mail' petition. We discourage faxes and do not use mass mailings as part of our marketing strategies. We compost all tea and food items.

ENERGY. 100% of our purchased energy supports wind power. Motion-detecting light switches or dimmers installed in all treatment and waiting areas. Compact fluorescent bulbs installed in all storage areas. Our interior workspace has been arranged to take advantage of natural sunlight. Programmable thermostats set to 76 or above for cooling and 68 or below for heating. Floor fans, space heaters, double pane windows, weather stripping, and solar shades are used to reduce need for heating or cooling. All of our office equipment is turned off and unplugged when not in use. Power strips are used to reduce phantom loads. Refrigerators set between 36 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperature set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 75% of our vendors are local. We provide bike storage areas for clients and staff. 75% of our staff walk, bike or take public transportation. Our staff receives incentives for energy reduction and alternative transportation usage. We purchase renewable energy credits to offset CO2 production of everything else!

ENVIRONMENT. Non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products. Brochures printed with vegetable-based and low volatile organic compound (VOC) inks. Furniture, products and equipment purchased have zero or low VOC emissions when available. We have installed ultra-high efficient toilets (1.6 gpf), lavatory sinks with low-flow aerators (less than 1.5 gpm), and showerheads (less than 1.8gpm). Appliances and plumbing regularly checked for leaks.

NEIGHBORHOOD. Our company spearheads SAGE-this networking group was founded to support ecopreneurs in their efforts to go green. 100% of proceeds from our green events are donated to local environmental charities.