We realize that there are many shades of green out there and we salute each and every one of them. At alo, we recognize that every little thing that you do can help make a difference, whether it’s buying local organic foods, eliminating water bottles or wearing eco-friendly clothing, it all helps us get closer to our ultimate goal – a greener, healthier planet.
Our Green defined can be measured in many ways. Alo stands for air, land and ocean and we are committed to reducing our negative impact on all of them. Some of our company wide environmental initiatives are listed below. Follow our lead and go green!
Solar Power Headquarters
Since installing solar panels at our Los Angeles headquarters in 2008, we have reduced our energy usage by 5,000 kilowatts per month. The average American household requires about 30 kilowatts per day. Solar panels are an energy efficient way to power a building and cut down electricity costs. Turning off your lights when not in use and powering your electronics to an energy saving mode are additional steps in the right direction.
Eco-Friendly Fashion
Every season we introduce new eco-friendly fabrics to our yoga-inspired clothing line. Modal, bamboo, organic cotton and recycled polyester are just a few of the fabrics that make up our stylish eco-conscious clothing line and keep us a step ahead with youthful fits, design and trends.
Our modal fabric is super soft and luxurious. This material is created from beech trees and is the perfect base for our loungewear inspired pieces. Our bamboo and organic cotton styles are made with sustainable materials that are good for both the earth and your body. Bamboo is hypoallergenic and has naturally antimicrobial and dry wicking properties while organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or genetic modifications. All of these fabrics create the ultimate in stylish, environmentally conscious design.
By using eco-friendly fabrics, we are hoping to spread the word that being eco-conscious can not only help better the environment, but can be fashionable at the same time. Be sure to keep an eye out for new eco-friendly fabrics that are added each season!
Hybrid Company Car
Alo has taken a proactive approach towards reducing our carbon footprint. We purchased a hybrid vehicle for company wide use. Purchasing a hybrid is not only a great way to invest in a more fuel efficient vehicle, but there are many added bonuses. Exemptions from sales tax and generous tax credits are applied in some states with the purchase of a hybrid. If a hybrid is too extreme for you, carpooling is a free alternative and a step towards doing your part for the environment.
Natural Cleaning Products
Alo believes in going green in a big way! We are committed to using all natural cleaning agents in our facilities. By using biodegradable, non-toxic and hypo-allergenic cleaners, we are reducing our impact on the environment and protecting the safety of everyone who works in our offices. These cleaners can be found at your local grocery store or made at home. All natural cleaners are equally as effective as those that contain harsh chemicals. When choosing cleaners for your home or office, Alo encourages you to make the green choice.
Green Office Supplies
We reduce, reuse and recycle! Alo now uses post consumer recycled paper and recycled cardboard boxes throughout our entire facility. Our marketing materials including catalogs, line guides and everyday printing paper are printed on recycled paper. Recycled paper is produced almost exactly like virgin paper, but with less impact on the forests, less water and air pollution and more importantly less energy consumption.
Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
Alo believes in promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all its employees. We realize that the little changes in your daily routine can create positive change for both your body and the earth. We’re passionate about promoting a healthy work environment and living a more harmonious lifestyle because it’s the foundation to fulfilling your potential, living a happier and more satisfying life at home and at work. One way we promote healthy living is by having natural, organic food and drink options on site at all times. These items are placed in energy efficient vending machines which are centrally located within the office. Alo takes the necessary step in supporting its employees with a new conscious way of living that can follow them even after they step out of our doors.
You might hear these terms fly around during discussions about our environment. Here's a handy reference tool to help you understand what these sometimes complicated ecological terms really mean and ways that you can help. In addition to the currently featured item, you'll find our complete archive of Eco-Action Terms at the bottom of the page.
"FSC Certified"
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the responsible supervision of the world’s forests. FSC sets strict standards that guarantee forestry is performed in an environmentally, socially favorable, and economically practicable way.
Landowners and companies that sell lumber or forest products seek out certification as a way to authenticate themselves to their consumers. This certification validates the fact that these companies have practiced forestry consistent with FSC measures. Independent, certification organizations are trained by FSC to carry out evaluations of forest management to verify if standards have been met. These certifiers also make sure that companies selling the FSC certified products have documented their supply back to FSC certified sources. This chain of guardianship certification verifies that consumers can trust the FSC label.
Our Company uses FSC certified paper and printers to produce its catalogs and line books. We believe that that we have a responsibility to respect and protect our forests. We try to minimize our ecological footprint and emissions, and are committed to being as green as possible by continuously seeking out and adopting environmentally responsible business and daily operational practices.
The word 'organic' is popping up everywhere these days, but what exactly does it mean? To get to the root of it, we have to go back to the way the raw materials are produced. Today, many products are made with chemical fertilizers, genetic modification, or added preservatives.
Organic farmers use a different approach - they focus on growing and farming their goods in a natural, environment-friendly surrounding. They do not add chemicals, hormones or preservatives to their products. The word organic is most commonly used when referring to food, health care products, clothing and linens.
How does it apply to these different items?
Food & health items: Specific guidelines have been established by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) to guarantee that consumers know the exact organic content of the food they buy. USDA labels are voluntarily placed on organic products and ensure that a product is at least 95 percent organic. A Government-approved certifier examines the environment where the product is grown to make sure all the necessary rules and guidelines meet the USDA organic standards. Companies that manage or process organic food before it gets to your local market or restaurant must be certified as well.
Clothing & Linens: Textiles that are certified organic are made from raw organic materials that originate from organic cultivation, processed using sustainable textile production methods where 100% certified organic natural fibers come from inspected, toxic free organic farming in compliance with regulations for organic production. To learn more about the benefits of organic agriculture food and products log onto http://www.organic.org/.
Greenhouse effect is the heating of the earth's atmosphere caused by an increase of carbon dioxide or other trace gases; it is understood that this increase permits light from the sun's rays to heat the earth but prevents a counterbalancing loss of heat. Current life on Earth could not be sustained without the natural greenhouse effect. The “natural” greenhouse effect keeps the earth’s climate warm and habitable.
The Earth's standard surface temperature is about 68-86°F warmer than it would be without the greenhouse effect. In addition to Earth, other planets such as Mars and Venus also have greenhouse effects.
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation and is implied that this is caused by human influence.
Global average air temperature rose 0.32° F during the past century. Observed causes of this change in temperature include increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activity.
