CHAPEL HILL, NC – The Sustainable Furnishings Council GREENleaders course has been approved for credit in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Continuing Education, the world-renowned certification system. The 6-ceu GREENleaders exam course, the first and most comprehensive certified sustainability training in the home furnishings industry, was created in 2009 by a LEED-AP and SFC founding member, and vetted by the Sustainable Furnishings Council board including ranking staff of World Wildlife Fund, Rainforest Alliance, and Founder of USGBC/LEED.

“LEED started the ball rolling by setting the standard for commercial buildings and sustainability education. GREENleaders represents a tremendous effort put into initiating, developing and delivering equally valuable education for the home furnishings industry that didn’t exist before,” says Mike Italiano, Founder of USGBC/LEED and CEO of Market Transformation to Sustainability.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, promotes sustainable building and development practices with strict rating systems and a curriculum. These courses offer credit toward the credential maintenance requirements of the LEED Green Associate and LEED Accredited Professional, with specialty professional credentials. The Sustainable Furnishings Council’s GREENleaders contributes an essential piece within the Education Review Body-approved continuing education courses. While most of the LEED programs focus on the building shell itself, GREENleaders is unique in exclusively focusing on furnishing the interior.  It is also distinguished by the practical business-building recommendations it provides.

“It has been wonderful to see how the SFC has developed in such a short time, from setting standards and sharing best practices to providing first class education, particularly in sensitizing the industry to the importance of verified legal wood sourcing,” adds Mark Comolli, Director of Markets in the Forestry Division for Rainforest Alliance.

To date, over 600 home furnishing professionals have been certified by GREENleaders as Accredited Professionals in green residential furnishings, with many more on the way. The six-unit program is worth 6 continuing education credit hours for ASID and LEED, covering a wide-range of topics including the factual basis for environmental issues affecting our industry, consumer awareness and behavior, sourcing products and components, design issues and showroom operations.

“The response to the program has been terrific from the start,” says Jeff Hiller, current SFC President and chief developer of GREENleaders, “We have graduates from leading raw materials suppliers, manufacturers, importers, retailers, product and interior designers, literally every point in the supply chain. This is a major part of our plan to keep the industry growing through greening.”

The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) just celebrated its 5th anniversary as a professional, non-profit coalition of suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and designers formed to promote sustainable practices within the industry. The SFC is considered the leading organization in green home furnishings with the best opportunities for education and networking.

For those interested in GREENleaders certified training, the course is offered online as well as live in various locations throughout the US. To register, please contact admin@sustainablefurnishings.org or 919-967-1137.

Yesterday our trade magazine for the furniture and mattress industry announced the aquisition of Pure Latex Bliss by Latex International.While Neither Pure Latex Bliss or Latex International openly admitted any kind of ownership by the other to us, it seemed there was a strong working relationship between the two companies.

Pure Latex Bliss Will Soon Be Owned By Latex International

 At Las Vegas World Markets of the past Latex International was know to refer customers looking for Talalay Mattresses over to Pure Latex Bliss just across the hall. We had also noticed that caller ID from Pure Bliss was showing up as Latex International and when attending the 2011 August Las Vegas World Market the two companies had swapped show spaces. Whatever was going on wasn’t being shared with this dealer. It has always seemed like there was some kind of relationship between the two companies since the Pure Latex Bliss begining, but never appeared to do not harm to the company. As a matter of fact product development happened at a rocket’s pace and quality never seemed to suffer. Their focus has always been on building a better product for the consumer for a reasonable price. This morning STL Beds recieved the following email from President and CEO Dave Fisher which suggests this deal has indeed went through: 

Good morning,

The 17 year magazine publication “Bedroom” has kept people, industry professionals including manufacturers and retailers informed about the latest industry technologies, sleep products and have kept us educated and informed. They recently sent out the following email.

BEDROOM Magazine Launches New Website

BEDROOM is excited to announce the launch of our new website!

Complete with the latest news and updates. Bedroomretailers.com offers retailers and industry professionals alike a user friendly, informative point of reference.

As a continuation of the magazine, which is also available in full format, www.bedroomretailers.com is written for sleep retailers and focuses on products and technology available to help them succeed yet expands to also cover the latest industry news such as management changes, product promotions in addition to retailer successes and showroom news.   Our website provides bedding retailers with the knowledge and tools they need to stock their showrooms and warehouses.

Through the website, visitors can also connect to our Facebook page which offers highlights from the industry, further product information, and our staff’s take on the bedding industry with a lighter, more conversational approach.

The new website and Facebook page demonstrate how BEDROOM remains true to opening the conversation between retailers and industry professionals.  Publisher, Christopher Schriever elaborates, “By being more connected with our readers and advertisers online we are able to better serve the industry and report on products and technologies faster and more effectively to our readers.”

Please feel free to visit www.bedroomretailers.com website for yourself.

I can tell you as a retailer “Bedroom” magazine has personally been a great source for information.  I look forward to utilizing the new site and hope many of my customers will do the same. This is why I published the announcement under our “Mattress Industry News” tag.  I think it’s important for shoppers to see the latest industry trends and sales tactics so they are better prepared to make a smart purchasing decision when the time comes.

Savvy Rest Got GOTS! Organic bedding and organic mattress manufacturer Savvy Rest is excited to announce they are a GOTS-certified company.  This means that stringed manufacturing and production requirements have been met within their facility where they build the organic products we buy. The name Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS assures that not only Savvy Rest’s manufacturing facility but others like them have passed the most demanding requirements for products or manufacturers to meet organic standards. The inclusion of a GOTS certification guarantees that organic textiles have been correctly labeled manufactured and harvested.

Savvy Rest Got GOTS Certified!

 
It is true that products can be bought that include a GOTS-certified textile and may even attach a GOTS logo in a proper manner, however only a small number have been manufacturing certified. The most respected and valued organization in organic certifying Oregon Tilth, has certified that the Savvy Rest facility where their manufacturing takes place meets the GOTS standard.

For years the food industry ran ramped with claims or organic that were often not backed up by any independent third party to guarantee the claims of safer grown foods for our families to consume and by 1990 (OFPA), the Organic Foods Production Act was approved to make sure that agricultural and food products for the USA were met. In the same way the food industry was revolutionized, people realized importance of no pesticides or harsh chemicals in the production processes in our fabrics and fibers. They wanted to make it a part of daily life and be assured of both a healthier earth and healthier family.

So what does it mean for a product to carry a GOTS certification?

Well according to the organization they wanted to instill consumer confidence and offer manufacturer credibility. They do this by putting forth a certification that sees to it that manufacturers and textile processors  are allowed to export their organic garments and fabrics with one universally accepted certification that would be accepted in all major world markets across the globe.

GOTS makes sure that natural material that Savvy Rest uses meets those worldwide accepted standards throughout the entire production process. This begins with the raw materials that are harvested up until the final packaging and labeling. STL Beds is very proud to be an authorized Savvy Rest dealer.

LA: "Keep It Made in America" tour, Shreveport, 5/14/09 Photo by aflcio

a 3 room house makeover with 100 percent American-made products.

A Texan family agreed to have anything not made in America removed from their home.

At the end, only a vase was left in the living room and the sink in the kitchen.

Then ABC began approaching many of the Sustainable Furnishing Council Members to fill the home.

HARDEN FURNITURE is providing the kitchen table.

Click on highlighted link to view this segment.

The coffee table in the living room comes from GAT CREEK.

Click on the logo to view a video by the local ABC7. 

The living room sofa, loveseat and three chairs come from LEE FURNITURE.

Click on highlighted link for an article in Furniture Today.

VAUGHAN-BASSETT will also be featured, probably Thursday night.

They were chosen to provide the American-made bedroom for this home.

Click on highlighted link for an article in Home Furnishings Business.

ARE YOU AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURER?

If so, be sure ABC knows!

ABC World News is providing an interactive map on their website

to help people locate products made in the US.

BKIND3 and CENTURY FURNITURE are on their map.

The Sustainable Furnishing Council shared this email with us and told us  that if you are not on the map, email them at abc.worldnews@abc.com!
ABC tells us that if we all spent an extra $3.33 on US-made goods every year,

it would create nearly 10,000 new jobs in this country.  On their show and

on their website, they ask Americans to take the pledge to purchase products

Made in America. On a personal note STL Beds has accepted this challenge we hope you all will do the same in your home and in your businesses.

He was the son of Percy Phillips, an entrepreneur who ran the old Phillips Mercantile Company in downtown Saint Louis, a railroad salvage company that opened in 1937. Mr. Phillips and his wife Marianne recently celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary.

After the Korean War, he worked at his father’s store until his dad retired in 1962 when he and his brother, Clinton took control of the business. That same year, the state of Missouri bought the downtown location for their new Hwy 40 project. The Phillips Brothers moved the company to its new location in St. Louis County 10525 Manchester Road in Kirkwood, where it is still presently. Today it is owned and operated by his family members. In 1976, the family members renamed the business Phillips Furniture. Mr. Phillips retired from the Phillips Furniture in 1992.

Mr. Phillips had quit smoking nearly 30 years ago and in November had been diagnosed with lung cancer that quickly turned fatal.

He is survived by his wife, four sons, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Phillips Furniture spun off another well-known local furniture company, Weekends Only, owned by two of Mr. Phillips’ sons. Two other sons own and operate five local Ashley Furniture franchises.

Private Burial held at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

On a personal note we never met Mr. Philips or his family. We only knew him as an honorable businessman and a tough competitor. Our prayers and sympathy go out to his family and friends from our STL Beds Family.

I am proud to say that STL Beds has become a member of the Sustainable Furnishings council. This is just another step in our company’s journey to become a more environmentally responsible furniture and mattress retailer.  Saint Louis and online shoppers can know that through our joining of the SFC that we have agreed to make a commitment to everyone from our customers to the environment that gives us all the bounty needed to survive, live comfortably and live healthy.

Who is the The Sustainable Furnishings Council?

The SFC is a non profit group of people who seek out manufactures and retailers in the home industry who are committed to making sure that sustainable practices are carried out and a committment to educate all of us in and out of the furniture industry while making the necessary changes that will benefit both man and the environment.

What does the SFC encourage?

1. Legally- logged wood.
2. A verifiable chain of custody by the loggers.
3. It asks businesses to reduce known toxic substances and reduce and lower resources that are unsustainable for products such as mattresses and bedroom furniture.
4. Minimize transportation if and when ever possible.
5. Encourages the reduction of packaging and packing materials.
6. Offer customers meaningful certificates and help educate consumers about sustainability.
7. The SFC asks the MFC and retailers to make reasonable choices concerning sustainability by partnering in such things as personal and company reductions in energy usage, committing to a high level of safety standards, while paying a living wage and eliminating sweatshops.

What are the benefits?

Nearly everyone is in agreement that by carrying out the previously mentioned goals that the global environment that we all live in  and share can be improved with just a little effort on everyone’s part. This can and will lead to a better public health in the home, work, or the great outdoors. The idea is that it doesn’t have to be life altering but through daily responsible purchases, sales and manufacturing methods everyone can be positively affected.

The sustainable furnishing council can be a great source of education for all. In future blogs STLBeds looks to help pass along news of any kind related to mattresses and bedroom furniture. We hope that our customers will make their own commitment and seek out information concerning the bedroom furniture and the mattresses we all sleep in. Like STLBeds, we had little knowledge about our products origins, construction, and it’s environmental impact. We believe you will be as shocked as we were when you too research and learn where your mattresses and furniture comes from. When we looked into it we realized the previously mentioned SFC goals are never advised or considered by most manufacturers in our industry. We do not believe that mattress and furniture manufacturers want to do harm to us or the environment, but rather in most cases it is a  simple lack of education of smarter, more environmentally sound ways to live a sustainable way of life that ultimately effects everyone.

According to the October 2009 Consumer Reports knowing that you cannot compare one mattress to the other as stated in this issue and all previous others they finally figured out a way to inform people about what are the best mattresses. Way to go Consumer Reports you got it right. Instead of rating mattresses that are for the most part incomparable, you decided to ask mattress buyers who already bought these mattresses if they liked them. CR asked the right question of their 17,000 plus online subscribers who bought beds in the recent years. According to CR they asked their mattress buying subscribers if they would buy the same brand mattress again. 41 percent definitely yes, 43 percent probably and 16 percent would buy something else. We would have liked to know if they would have recommended it to friends and family.

Interestingly specialty mattresses like Tempurpedic and Select Comfort came out on top with owners of them saying that they would purchase them again while brand name mattresses like Stearns and Foster and Spring Air owners not so much. We would have liked to know about other beds like All Natural Latex mattresses which get rave reviews on the Internet and also the various types of waterbeds but this was pretty good information they received.

How much does comfort cost?

Almost everyone agreed that any new supportive mattress would win out over an old worn out mattress set of any kind. So how much should we spend to get that new mattress comfort? The numbers were big but if you spent $4000.00 or more on your mattress you were in a class of 78% satisfaction rate while people who spent less than a thousand also had a decent rate of satisfaction 66%. Our conclusion from their results is what we have been saying all along, you don’t have to spend a million bucks to get a good night of sleep.

Testing Mattresses

So should you take a mattress for a test drive and try it before you by it? Well according to 77% of the people their time was well spent even though it was only 10 minutes. We suggest more time if possible. While others who did not take the time to lie on a mattress and compare models was highly unsatisfied.

People that had problems sleeping looked for alternate solutions to their sleep problems and it seems that many of them found relief from “unconventional” mattresses. According to Consumer Reports responders’ relief came from the specialty sleep industries memory foam bed Tempurpedic and Air Bed Select Comfort with a combined improvement of sleep of over 60 percent.

In this same article Consumer Reports even went on to answer what we at STLBeds feels is the biggest mattress myth that consumers are unaware of. The myth is that backs especially older ones need a harder or firmer bed. CR’s answer is the same as ours. There have been no real studies much less conclusive ones that suggest firm is best. The mattress that is best for you is the one that is most comfortable to you. We encourage you to listen to friends, family, and your doctors’ suggestions. In the end take it all into consideration and do the research. With the proper information you can narrow down and determine the level of quality, price, and type of mattress that fits your needs. However remember this, when turn the lights off and go to bed, all these people don’t have to sleep the new mattress whether it be firm or soft or if it’s a Simmons or a Tempurpedic, so be sure to buy the brand and type of mattress that is most comfortable to “you”.

RE: Results of the first bedding/mattress industry “Green Initiative” meeting sponsored by the Specialty Sleep Association at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs , FL May 8, 2009

Dear Mattress Bedding Executive:

We wish to thank those who were able to attend the initial meeting of the “Green Initiative” sponsored by the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) as well as those who expressed support for this effort even though you may not have been able to attend (i.e. attending Interzum in Cologne, etc.).

We are particularly pleased by the appreciation expressed from so many leaders of the industry for our bringing this issue to center stage. It was gratifying to see such a diverse group of manufacturers, specialty companies, suppliers, boutique businesses and related consultants and service companies participate in this groundbreaking meeting.

There was a great spirit of unity and support for the purpose we outlined of building consensus around the way our industry defines “green.”

Next Steps

Whether you were able to attend the meeting or not, we hope you will benefit from the following overview of the proposed next steps for the industry.

· Define the scope of this effort. Attendees were asked to send follow up emails with a proposed mission statement or scope for the Green Initiative, as well as key consumer messages. While establishing consensus around the definitions of “green”, “natural”, “all natural” and “organic” was a primary driver and raison d’être for the industry meeting, the desire was also expressed to work toward an overall standard or rating system/certification program. Emails should be sent to Daler@rtppub.com Based on these emails, a revised mission statement or scope will be developed for the next subsequent discussion.

· Set up working committees and board of governors. Initial discussion centered around creating one participating or “working” committee of several dozen interested companies—large and small and representative of our diverse industry to develop and execute a work plan. A smaller initial group—such as a board of governors—will also be formed to lead and administer this project. Over a half-dozen companies have already volunteered for this initial body.

· Develop a work plan, timeline, and budget. Once formed, the board of governors will develop a proposed work plan, timeline, budget and scope/mission statement. Subcommittees will then be formed from the working committee to establish consensus on terminology and primary topics that should be included in a working document or draft standard. Subcommittees have been suggested including: Definitions/Terminology (materials); Standards; Finance; Sustainability Processes/Factory Operations; and Compliance.

· Obtain financing. Discussion took place at the meeting around the need for a budget to be established and fundraising to take place to support this effort. Several companies immediately offered contributions ranging from $4,000 to tens of thousands of dollars. The SSA will nominate a Chairperson to lead the fundraising effort. Funds would go toward meetings and teleconference expenses, consultant and staff support for definitions/standards work, public relations, research and website development (for on-line bulletins, blogs, and discussions) if deemed necessary.

We would like to convene the first subsequent meeting of this working committee in June by teleconference or on-line Go-To-Meetings. Please use the form attached to indicate your ongoing interest in this effort.

Thank you once again for your interest in the Green Initiative. We are excited about the opportunity to continue moving the industry forward and demonstrate our commitment to delivering high value to consumers while considering and educating on environment impacts.

Sincerely yours,

Dale Read Tambra Jones

President Director

www.sleepinformation.org

Download the Sleep Information Green Initiative Form

Many mattress companies have opted to use chemically treated fibers. This might not be so bad if we didn’t have to sleep in the bed for 6-8 hours. Here is where we believe a problem has potential to develop.  Statistics show that 1000 people are injured and 300-400 people die every year, most related to smoking in bed. Is it worth it to have the CPSC (Government) protecting us from ourselves? Apparently they think so, but at what price is all of this mattress safety and protection going to cost you and me?

• Mattress manufacturers have to comply with a burn law, but do not have to disclose on the law label what chemicals have been used to help the mattress comply with burn testing.
• Mattresses that use chemicals haven’t been properly tested in long term human testing.  What happens with prolonged exposure through years of chemical nighttime snuggling?
• Unnecessary research and development along with miles of required documentation demonstrating that a mattress meets all federal standards.

I believe the CPSC and the mattress industry could be putting all of us in jeopardy to other health risks maybe even cancer. I guess an illness, or death 15, 20, or 30 years later is a problem we will deal with if and when it happens. I truly feel for the loss of life due to smoking in bed or the injuries caused from it. What I do not see is the senseless increase in retail and wholesale mattress costs for the mistakes of a few people that know not to smoke in bed. Mattresses are typically covered with a mattress pad, bottom fitted sheet, top sheet, and bed spread wouldn’t the mattress be the last item to catch fire? It just seems like another ridiculous attempt for the Government to protect us from ourselves.

Never mind the fact that retail prices jumped significantly and two sided mattresses mysteriously disappeared. Never mind that the new one-sided mattresses and all of the skepticism they come with meet FR compliancy with greater ease. Never mind that some manufacturers control mattress costs by cutting quality in using cheaper raw materials.

With all of that said STLBeds of St. Louis Missouri is offering anyone who doesn’t trust the mattress manufacturers or the Government a virtually chemical free alternative choice through organic mattresses. These mattresses comply with the CPSC standards by passing all 3 burn tests by using naturally raised and certified organic wool.  Contact us for more information or please follow our regular blogs.