OMBE EARTH. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our green business practices. We review our green business practices each year and develop a plan to improve our sustainability according to current research and expert recommendations. We have divided our green practices into five areas: guest services, recycling, energy usage, environmentally-friendly practices and community work done in the Back Bay and surrounding neighborhoods. Our company also spearheads SAGE, a networking group founded to support ecopreneurs in their efforts to go green. If you would like to join SAGE or visit one of our meetings as a guest, 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. 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.

2009. Every year we strive to improve our environmentally-friendly products and services. This year, OMBE will be one of the first thirty companies to complete Boston's Sustainable Business Leadership Program. SAGE will work to develop its network of eco-friendly companies, help business owners develop their sustainable business practices and improve Boston recycling programs. We are also happy to announce to all of our clients and yoga enthusiasts that we are now selling the PVC-free yoga mats that have been a huge hit in our Back Bay yoga studio. These eco-friendly yoga mats are biodegradable and made from renewable sources. To place yourself on our order list, please contact us.