Green Practices

The philosophy of Bozeman Massage Therapy LLC, located in Bozeman, Montana, includes making conscious choices for the well-being of the environment and all who reside on this planet. We take environmental stewardship seriously and do everything possible to implement green practices.

Our eco-friendly practices range from construction materials and massage products to business associates, daily business operations, and long-term planning.  Additional and improved sustainable practices are always under consideration.

Materials used in the recent renovation of the space on Main Street were carefully chosen for their green qualities.  The floors are cork; cork is considered a renewable resource due to the exceptionally fast growth rate of cork trees. Additionally, cork is antimicrobial and does not harbor mold or mildew, great for keeping allergens low and easily maintaining a healthy breathing environment.  These beautiful floors are also soft and warm, wonderful for bare feet all year round.

The interior walls are insulated with recycled blue jean insulation, putting old products to good use without creating new materials.  Water-based stain was used on wood surfaces for minimal toxicity.

Paint products we use are all natural and nontoxic.  The walls are coated with an innovative clay paint.  Entirely natural, this clay paint creates ambiance with warm matted colors straight from the earth.  Similar to plaster but applicable with a roller, this paint is truly a new treat in the world of green materials.  The space is literally covered in a thin coat of mud.  Before applying the clay paint, zero VOC primer was used on all walls before painting - no fumes, no chemicals, no toxins.  The wood closets, doors and shelving feature milk paint - a completely nontoxic simple paint traditionally used on wooden furniture.

Our linens are made from organic and renewable resources.  After testing a variety of sheets we settled on organic cotton for the massage table.  During your massage, you will feel the silky luxury of sheets made of high quality, single-ply organic cotton yarn.  No pesticides are used while growing organic cotton (typically cotton demands very high use of pesticides), offering a benefit to the land, farmers and the larger ecosystem - and directly to you since no residual pesticides touch your body during your massage.  Our carefully chosen linens are laundered by a company that uses eco-friendly soap free of dyes and perfumes.

We use bamboo towels in the treatment room.  Bamboo is a renewable resource due to its extremely fast rate of growth.  Additionally, it feels incomparably luxuriously soft and silky, and with antimicrobial properties making it exceptionally sanitary, bamboo is hard to beat for use in a massage space.

Around the office we use products made of eco-friendly materials.  Compostable trash bags, organic cleaning supplies and recycled hand towels, toilet paper and facial tissues keep the space clean and green.

Organic soaps and lotions in the bathroom are nontoxic and smell delicious.

Beeswax and soy candles provide gentle warmth and pure air; the paraffin found in most candles is a highly toxic material, both for our lungs and the atmosphere.

The oils that touch your body are pure and unadulterated.  Our massage oil is 100% pure grapeseed oil - no preservatives or additives, just plain oil suitable for eating.  It is also chosen for its neutral scent and its light, absorbent nature - leaving you non-greasy - as well as for being a non-allergen.

The essential oils (aromatherapy) blended into the base oil are very carefully chosen. They are painstakingly picked from companies guaranteeing their oils are unadulterated with synthetic substances - a common practice, especially with more expensive oils.  Machines test the chemical makeup of each batch of oil ensuring pure quality.  Oils distilled locally (generally within the regional area) are chosen first whenever available, and almost all oils are either organic or wildcrafted.  Additionally, we deliberately choose to purchase oils from companies initiating ecological conservation and community development projects. From the farm to your body, we honor the planet and its people.

Our printed materials are from a local company (Printing For Less). This company operates on wind-power, uses unbleached and recyled paper, and prints with soy ink (one of the least toxic options). Packaging materials are biodegradable. This company also boasts staff-friendly policies including "no gossiping" as featured in the New York Times.

We value this planet, the air, and your body.  At Bozeman Massage Therapy, you receive a quality massage (that too!) in an environment where all you breath and touch is pure - and you support a conscious effort to help the whole planet.

Future planning for Bozeman Massage Therapy includes sustainable employment practices, green construction, and return of profits to the community and environmental organizations.  The long term vision includes constructing a straw bale treatment center and implementing as many green materials and energy sources as possible.  Ultimately we would like to create a completely sustainable business model through our staffing, construction and operations.