The Green Cocoon, LLC has purchased a new Cellulose Machine. This machine is ideal for installation of loose fill cellulose insulation throughout any area of the home. The machine has wheels for easier maneuverability and transport and comes with 100 feet of hose (two 50′ sections with connector) to achieve optimum coverage.
The new Krendl 800-G processes 77 bags of cellulose per hour, thus allowing us to become faster and more efficient. That means we are in and out of your home in less time!
Moreover, the 800-G is the only dual power source insulation blowing equipment capable of switching from electric to gas, to assure TGC is NEVER without power. Krendl Machine designed the 800-G for the insulation contractor who may not always have a readily available power source.
If you’re ready to start that insulation project you’ve been putting off, now is the perfect time. Contact us and one of us will get back to you right away!
Even though many of us at The Green Cocoon are working from home just like you amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, we can still do our part on Earth Day 2020 (EARTHRISE).
Alejandro Alvarez / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
From the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament in the U.S. to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in Europe to the Grand Prix in Australia, just about every big spring event this year has been cancelled or postponed. But the annual event coming up on April 22, Earth Day, will be held rain or shine. You don’t want to miss it!
Earth Day History
This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which began as a “youthquake” in 1970 with former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson leading the charge.
Here’s a little history: On April 22, 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development. In the U.S. and around the world, smog was becoming deadly and evidence was growing that pollution led to developmental delays in children. Biodiversity was in decline as a result of the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants. The global ecological awareness was growing, and the U.S. Congress and President Nixon responded quickly. In July of the same year, they created the Environmental Protection Agenc. They also created robust environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among many. Earth Day is now a global event each year, and more than 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.
EARTHRISE: Earth Day Goes Digital
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Climate Action. Earthday.org states, “Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.” With the coronavirus wreaking havoc on us all and limiting our activities, Earth Day organizers had to get creative.
In a recent press release, Earth Day Network noted that they are shifting their actions from massive worldwide cleanups to a strictly online campaign. The title of their movement is EARTHRISE, which is a “global, digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and planet.” Over the course of 24 hours, EARTHRISE will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins, and more. Learn more.
Some people have already started recruiting others to do their part by hosting Facebook events. For example, Amanda Merlino from Florida is hosting a “Get Trashed for Earth Day” event on April 19th. She is encouraging people to grab “a plastic bag, wear some gloves, and pick up all of the discarded trash that you see. Post pictures or video of your efforts to encourage others to get involved.”
How to Celebrate Earth Day at Home
While none of us are sure how long this pandemic will last, each of us can take steps to ensure we don’t turn one crisis into another. Strive for sufficiency over efficiency, avoid the urge to panic-buy and learn how to cook for a few days with what you have in the house, rather than run to the store for one item.
Take a walk and pick up trash
Whether you walk by yourself and pick up trash or you recruit others to do it, seeing a clean street shows pride for one’s town or city. Join an event like Amanda is holding or hold one yourself. Doing something with others increases one’s motivation.
Cut way back on water
Since you’re not going out, consider cutting back on showering to save water and energy (but keep washing your hands!). Unless you’re in direct contact with medical professionals or constantly out in the world, try showering several times a week instead of every day.
Embrace frugality
Try eating the same breakfast every day for a week. Keep your pantry stocked with humble ingredients that are also delicious. Now is a great time to pass your frugal life skills onto your kids. Breakfast is important!
Let your yard go wild
Treehugger.com says to “Turn your lawn back into a productive plant community. Plant clover. Stop raking your damn leaves and use them as a home compost pile instead. Grow vegetables in your yard. Plant a wildlife hedge instead of building a fence.”
Stay healthy
Help overworked healthcare professionals and hospitals by keeping your own immune system strong. Go on a walk for both a mental and physical break. If you’re unable to go outside, try one of these “visual soundscape” videos to relax. Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy.
In summary, all of us working together can save the planet. We just need to get along. Stay healthy and strong this Earth Day. Learn more about Earth Day.
The Governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have asked all non-essential businesses to close. The Green Cocoon (TGC) is excited to be listed as an essential business, and thus will continue working on all projects as planned, unless other arrangements are made.
Employees Working From Home
All office employees are now working from home and only the installers are coming to the shop. They get the supplies they need and then head off to the project site.
Taking Extra Precautions
“We are a very small crew and are taking extra precautions in the office by deep cleaning surfaces frequently,” said Vice President Candace Lord. “By law our installers have to wear respirators while at the job site, so they are already better protected from the virus. Moreover, TGC uses mechanical ventilation while we work, which creates a negative pressure in the house. This actually prevents any of our air from getting into your house!”
If you have any questions about your current project or would like a consultation for something new, please contact us. Stay safe and healthy everyone.
On Thursday, December 11, Candace Lord and Joe Marino, vice president and salesperson for The Green Cocoon, attended The Green Alliance’s second annual holiday party. The jam-packed event was held at the Great Rhythm Brewing Company in Portsmouth. Over 100 members and guests attended.
Purpose of The Green Alliance
The Green Cocoon is a member of Green Alliance. Their purpose is to promote local business partners that make serious efforts to operate in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner. Furthermore, those business partners offer discounts to Green Alliance Community card-holders.
Sales of Artwork Help Fund Research Center
The event was sponsored by Sustainable Seacoast, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, and the Great Bay Waterkeeper with Conservation Law Foundation. Local artist Ragko showcased his amazing artwork that connected us to water. Sales of his artwork went towards the creation of an independent Huilliche-Mapuche research center in southern Chile.
We stay involved with groups like The Green Alliance to help towards our goal of making little to no negative impact on the environment.
The Green Cocoon was a sponsor of Rett’s Roost (Rett’s) 2019 Superhero 5K held on September 22 at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Rett’s is a nonprofit that helps children with cancer and their families.
Sponsoring this event has become a tradition for The Green Cocoon. We’ve been a sponsor for the last few years and plan to continue to do so as long as possible.
Because of the theme “Superhero 5K,” there were many people dressed in brightly-colored costumes. Due to the fundraising efforts of so many volunteers, over $18,000 was raised for Rett’s retreats!
Thank you to everyone who came out to run/walk, who donated their time and money and to Capstone Photography for taking such great photos from the day.
Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. – Ernest Hemingway
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate life, love, and luck. It is a time to be grateful for family and friends. It is a time to gather around the dinner table and realize how fortunate it is to have food on it.
Days, weeks, and sometimes months go by without giving thanks for what one has, and it is understandable, given how busy everybody’s schedule is these days – especially during the holiday season. We've strayed far away from the meaning of Thanksgiving. We often take for granted our paychecks and possessions, our children and parents, our happiness and health. It is easy to overlook in modern-day society. But, perhaps that is what makes Thanksgiving special.
As we gather together with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to share how profoundly grateful we are every day to be working alongside such an incredible team.
For most of us, the centerpiece of Thanksgiving is a wonderful dinner. This holiday is a time for reflection, so it’s a good time to recognize that every meal gives us an opportunity to listen to each other’s stories and share each other’s lives. Gratitude is a common theme in the stories shared in our job sites and break rooms. And we at The Green Cocoon have much to be grateful for: operating in New England with its abundant natural beauty, meaningful work, supportive friendships with our colleagues, and the incredible teamwork that makes our customers happy and content.
Gratitude for each other and the important work that we share is at the top of our list this Thanksgiving. With thanks and appreciation for all our team does and for all of our customers, who put their faith in us every day.
The Green Cocoon will be closed for Thanksgiving Day and the day after to give our team and families a long weekend together.
The Green Cocoon, LLC. (TGC) is excited to announce that it was awarded HomeAdvisor’s “Elite Service Professional” badge. HomeAdvisor gave TGC the award for having a minimum of five reviews with a 5-star rating, among other criteria listed below.
“We are so excited to receive this award and right on the heels of receiving the Top-Rated Professional badge last month,” said Jim Materkowski, President and owner of TGC. “Thank you to our incredible team and wonderful customers.”
What Must a Business Do to Merit an “Elite Service Professional” Badge?
HomeAdvisor lays out a specific set of guidelines that a business must meet to receive permission to display a badge. Moreover, how does a business earn the title “Elite Service Professional”? HomeAdvisor requires that a business have:
Have a minimum of five reviews with a 5-star rating
Overall customer service rating of 4.5 or better
No homeowner complaints in the last six months
Reviews from homeowners you’ve done work for
Customers’ Feedback Is Important
In summary, TGC is constantly striving to bring its customers the fastest, most efficient, and friendliest service. The team at TGC pays close attention to customers’ feedback. Furthermore, badges like these show us that the company is headed in the right direction.
Contact us for fast, efficient, and friendly insulation services you can trust!
The Green Cocoon, LLC. (TGC) is excited to announce that it was awarded HomeAdvisor’s “Top-Rated Professional” badge. HomeAdvisor gave TGC the award for having a 4.9 out of 5-star rating, among other criteria below.
“Thank you to our incredible team and wonderful customers,” said Jim Materkowski, President and owner of TGC. “These badges aren’t given out to just any company. Not to mention you must meet certain criteria to receive this award.”
What Must a Business Do to Merit a “Top Rated Professional” Badge?
HomeAdvisor lays out a specific set of guidelines that a business must meet to receive permission to display a badge. Moreover, how does a business earn the title “Top Rated Professional?" HomeAdvisor requires that a business have:
A minimum of five reviews
A minimum overall rating of 4.0 or better (we have a 4.9 rating!)
More than 90% of homeowners that leave you a review would recommend you
No homeowner complaints
Reviews only from homeowners you’ve done work for
Customers’ Feedback Is Important
In summary, The Green Cocoon is constantly striving to bring its customers the fastest, most efficient, and friendliest service. The team at TGC pays close attention to customers' feedback. Furthermore, badges like these show us that the company is headed in the right direction.
The Green Cocoon (TGC) owners Jim Materkowski and Candace Lord attended a breast cancer awareness event, “Evening by the Sea.” The event was held on August 11, 2019 at Wentworth by the Sea in Rye, NH. Moreover, it was a fundraiser put on by My Breast Cancer Support. The nonprofit organization provides financial and emotional support to breast cancer patients. These patients live not only in the Greater Seacoast area of New Hampshire but also in Southern Maine.
Giving Back
“The team at The Green Cocoon not only loves working in our community, but also working with our community,” said Lord, herself a breast cancer survivor. “Awareness is very important to me as I am currently undergoing chemotherapy with one treatment left. Furthermore, my prognosis is great and I want to do whatever I can to help other women going through the same thing. Equally important is early detection.”
At the fundraiser attendees enjoyed music, complimentary champagne, hearty appetizers, dessert tastings, and gourmet coffees. Not to mention they were able to bid on silent auction items as well as win raffle gifts.
The Green Cocoon owners Jim Materkowski and Candace Lord attended a breast cancer awareness event, “Evening by the Sea.”
Gabby with her hat at Evening by the Sea Giving Back Event
The Green Cocoon owner Jim Materkowski with his friend Amy at the Evening by the Sea giving back event
The Green Cocoon, LLC (TGC) and Spray Foam Distributors of Boston (SFDoB) held a “Shave It Off to Beat Cancer” fundraiser on August 6. The event was held at SFDoB’s location in Waltham, Massachusetts. The fundraiser honored Candace Lord, TGC Vice President, and Kerry Blye from North East Foam Solutions. Moreover, both ladies were recently diagnosed with cancer and their prognoses and attitudes are excellent!
Shave It Off to Beat Cancer
Knowing that her hair would fall out soon, Lord decided to make the first move and shave it off and raise money for cancer research. She, along with family and friends, raised over $4,000 for research and all of the proceeds went directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Research Center.
Community Support Is Everything
Thank you to all of our friends, family, and co-workers who came out to show your support for this great cause. A special thank you to Keith’s Canteen who stopped by to feed all of us for FREE!
Candace Lord, The Green Cocoon Vice President, gets her first pony tail cut.
Just call him Friar Jon, The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
Before his head shaving, The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
After his head shaving, The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
A unique head shaving, The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
George likes his new look, The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
Candace Lord, The Green Cocoon Vice President, gets her head shaved to beat cancer!
Candace is rocking her new hair style – The Green Cocoon Hosts Shave It Off to Beat Cancer Event
The Green Cocoon hosts Shave It Off for Cancer Event – Keith’s Canteen was a sponsor
The new Krendl 800-G processes 77 bags of cellulose per hour, thus allowing us to become faster and more efficient. That means we are in and out of your home in less time!
The Green Cocoon, LLC. (TGC) is excited to announce that it was awarded 
