Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards! Tickets may be purchased for student and early bird pricing.  The Awards will be held April 12, 2012, from 8:30am – 1pm at the Research Triangle Park Foundation.  

Tickets may be purchased for:

$10 student tickets

$25 early bird admission from now until March 16

$35 general admission from March 17

Click here to purchase your tickets.   Ticket sales will end April 10, so sign up today!!

Visit this link to learn about past Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award winners and here for a video summary of the 2011 Green Plus Awards.

Composting is a natural process that turns decomposed organic materials into a rich soil called compost.  Composting involves mixing yard and organic waste in a pile or bin and mimicking conditions that support the process of decomposition.  Decomposition is fueled by millions of microscopic organisms (i.e., bacteria, fungi) that reside in the compost pile and repeatedly devour and recycle it, forming a rich organic fertilizer and valuable soil additive.

Why It Matters

Yard and food waste make up almost one third of business landfill waste [1], and for restaurants and grocery stores, it can be from 40 to 75 percent of total waste [2].  If these materials are composted, the benefits would include:

• A reduction of waste collection and disposal costs.  This reduction depends on your yard and food waste to overall waste ratio.  For example, if your current total waste output contains roughly 50 percent compostable materials, the frequency of garbage disposal pickups could be cut in half.
• Cost savings of no longer having to buy soil conditioners, bagged manure, etc.
• Added income from selling nutrient-rich compost, which can be used (or sometimes even sold) as mulch, soil amendment, potting mixes, or compost tea.
• A reduction of water usage and costs, since compost helps soil retain its moisture.
• Moving toward becoming a zero waste company/organization.
• Contribution to your community—compost can be used for land remediation, landscaping, and quality topsoil in agriculture.
• A reduction of global methane (a greenhouse gas) due to less decomposing food wastes in landfills.

Getting Started

To begin composting follow these basic steps:

1. Select a location for your compost bin
2. Make or purchase a compost bin
3. Know what can and can’t be composted
4. Add water to compost heap frequently to retain moisture
5. Aerate regularly
6. Monitor temperature of the compost over time
7. Make sure compost does not become compacted as you add material

 1.     Select a location for your compost bin

Select a location indoors or outdoors for composting while considering aesthetics and employee safety and health—away from the building and from areas where people work is best, as compost is basically food waste that is decomposing.  You may also want to screen the pile with brush or a fence, place it in an area with good air circulation and partial shade (to avoid overheating), and choose a place with good drainage.  If you decide to purchase a sealed compost bin or tumbler, this may not be as large of a concern.

2.     Make or purchase a compost bin

There are many different options that vary in price and whether it can be homemade or purchased.  Basic choices to choose from include outdoor bin systems (bins made of wood and wire that allow piles to decompose while starting new piles—click here to find instructions on building your own bin), vermicomposting (using red wriggler worms to break waste down), or compost tumblers and bins that are purchased. 

3.     Know what can and can’t be composted

Educate yourself and employees about what can and cannot be composted.  For the best compost, you want a lot of high carbon materials to a little high nitrogen materials.  A good ratio is 25-30:1 carbon to nitrogen.  If the ratio is too high, decomposition slows down; if it’s too low, the compost pile will begin to smell rotten.  Click here to learn about the difference between high carbon (brown) and high nitrogen (green) materials.  A good size bin is 3’x 3’ x 3’, but should not be any smaller.

 4.     Add water to compost heap frequently to retain moisture.

Too much water means the material will not decompose properly (slimy, smelly); too little water will kill bacteria and yield bad compost.  The more green material (cut grass, weeds, leaves, etc…) you include, the less water you’ll need.  If the compost pile is outdoors and gets a lot of rain, you may want to build a roof over the pile.  Simply using a tarp will suffice.

 5.     Aerate regularly

Oxygen is required by many microorganisms to survive and produce successful compost.  Thus, make sure to turn the compost pile often (once a day for first weeks, then once every other day) by using a pitch fork, spade, or compost aerator.  If using a compost tumbler, simply turn the pile with a handle or pertinent mechanism. 

 6.     Monitor temperature of the compost over time

As microorganisms devour your compost pile, they generate large amounts of heat.  A good temperature for successful composting is 140^º-160^º Fahrenheit.  The cheapest and simplest way to track temperature is to simply purchase a regular thermometer.

 7.     Make sure compost does not become compacted as you add material

Composting needs oxygen, and in order to get oxygen, it needs space.  As you aerate, make sure the heap is loose and as you add material, make sure the heap does not become compacted.  

Include a good mixture of brown fibrous ingredients and greens for quicker, less-smelly compost.  Shred, dice, and cut up scraps for better decomposition.

Nutrient-rich compost Source: frugalbits.com

Commercial Compost Bin Source: earthwormcompostguide.com

Homemade Compost Bin Source: goodcompost.com

Compost is ready to use when it is dark, brown, and crumbly with an earthy odor.  It should not be moldy or rotten.  Things to look out for include original materials that are no longer recognizable (except woody pieces) and the pile’s temperature being the same as the outside air (no longer hot).  Once a compost heap has these characteristics, it is recommended to let it sit for at least an additional three weeks.  If you turn your pile, and conditions are well-managed, compost can be ready in about 20 days.  Without turning your pile, it can take anywhere from three months to a year.  With a worm bin (which does not require turning your pile), it should take around one to there months.

Once in place, make it easy for employees to contribute to the composting process.  Make sure that composting collection points are located in common areas (e.g., break rooms, kitchen).  If your business has a Green team, delegating the responsibilities to the team might be the easiest way to manage compost.  Creating signage, identifying a location, and maintaining the process will greatly contribute to composting successfully.  However, if waste collection and disposal is already an arranged service in your office, ask the service if they can take on some or all of those responsibilities.  Furthermore, you can buy compostable products, such as compostable plates, utensils, cups, napkins, and paper towels.

If you decide you want to compost, but want to avoid the operations and maintenance, a compost pickup service may suit you.  Some waste collection and disposal services, like in areas of Portland, Oregon, offer a compost pickup program.  If your city or county does not offer this, there are other private business options to consider.  For example, CompostNow is a new compost pickup service based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and serves the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.  For a monthly fee of $25, you are provided with an unlimited number of compost bins, which will be picked up from your location once a week.  CompostNow’s facilities can even handle meats, bones, dairy, paper products, and corn plastics.  CompostNow will then manage your wastes into rich compost in its facilities and return the subsequent amount of compost to your doorstep.

Going Further

• For smoother, cleaner composting, consider purchasing composting equipment and tools.  Basic supplies include compost pitchforks, shovels, compost tumblers, compost aerators, compost spreaders, and thermometers.
• If maintenance is a hassle, try a mechanical indoor unit.  These units are compact devices that plug into the wall and are mostly maintenance-free.
• If you cannot or do not want to use your compost, consider selling it.  However, there is national legislation mandating the quality of sellable compost, so make sure yours is in compliance.  You can check those standards here. Then, proceed by formulating your strategies for advertising, identifying and maintaining a clientele, and competing with the local market supply and demand (including market price).  Click here for more details.
• If composting is not an option for you, consider food donation opportunities.  These opportunities donate your edible food leftovers to community organizations that distribute food to the needy.

Case Studies

Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees, located in Durham, North Carolina, sends certain organic by-products from its production processes to a compost facility offsite, uses compostable utensils, and has composting bins in break rooms.  From March 2008 to July 2010, 300 tons of material was composted (and therefore diverted from landfills).  Composting is a major aspect of Burt’s Bees’ success in becoming a Zero Waste company, which as a whole saves them $25,000 a year.

Resources for More Information

Videos:

• Boston University’s cafeteria composting

Books:

• Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started

Links:

• Composting for the Homeowner offers tips on how to compost at your home and discusses the benefits of compost in soil.
• RecycleWorks of San Mateo County in California offers recycling, composting, and waste reduction tips to its residents, but is applicable to everyone.
• Composting101.  Arguably one of the most popular composting how-to guides available,  Offers a thorough explanation, manual, and benefits of composting.
• Composting at your Business.  From the city of Portland, Oregon, this site offers tips on successful composting in a business setting.

Conclusion

Composting is a great addition in running your business, organization, home, school, or community sustainably and economically.  The major benefits include reducing waste collection and disposal costs, producing a valuable commodity in nutrient-rich compost, and supporting environmental sustainability.

Glossary of Related Terms

Compost. Decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer; the product of composting.

Compost Aerator. A manual tool that digs deep into a compost pile and opens air passages for   good compost aeration.

Compost Spreader. Equipment that effectively and conveniently spreads compost on top of lawns and gardens.

Compost Tea. A liquid fertilizer for plants from brewing compost.  Benefits include providing nutrients to new transplants and young seedlings.

Compost Tumbler. An efficient alternative to the standard compost bin that makes composting    easier, cleaner, and less smelly.  Instead of manually turning your compost piles, these    tumblers make it as easy as rotating the elevated tumbler or turning the installed handle.  Compost tumblers come in a variety of designs and range in price.

Decomposition. Natural process of dead animal or plant tissue being rotted or broken down into simpler forms of matter.

Organic Material. Matter that came from once-living organisms; is capable of decay (or the end    result of decay); or is composed of organic compounds.

Zero Waste. A philosophy and design principle that guides people to change their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles where discarded resources become valuable resources for other uses and where nothing is wasted.  A Zero Waste company is one that diverts at least 90% of their wastes from going to landfills or incinerators.  

[1] Retrieved from www.portlandonline.com

[2] Retrieved from  www.compostsantacruzcounty.org.

[3] Retrieved from http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/burts-bees-saves-25000-a-year-after-dumpster-diving.php

Visit this link to learn about past Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award winners and here for a video summary of the 2011 Green Plus Awards.

The Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards are not only about ‘green’ (environmental) programs — they are an effort to recognize and encourage a balanced approach to community engagement, environmental stewardship, and good business management generally. We seek to promote traditional organizations engaging in extraordinary practices while raising awareness around the importance of sustainability in their communities. 

Rules
-Any smaller enterprise (an organization of under 500 employees) in the United States or Canada may be nominated for a Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award. 
-There is no fee to be nominated.
-There is no required membership in any organization to be nominated. 
-Winners of juried Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards may not win a juried award two years in a row. 
-Nominees may not be related to or have an existing business relationship with staff or board members of the Institute for Sustainable Development

About the Institute
The Institute for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that helps smaller enterprises and their communities to become more sustainable, foster a new generation of sustainability leaders, and to promote dialogues about the theory and practice of sustainability across cultures. Green Plus, the Institute’s flagship program, exists to educate, network, and reward small enterprises in their triple bottom line efforts. Through Green Plus, the Institute strives to help smaller enterprises learn from one another as well as from experts and specifically seeks to celebrate enterprises that are trailblazers — innovating sustainable practices that one might not associate with a given business sector.  

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org 

Each year, we recognize outstanding small and medium-sized employers from around the U.S. for their leadership in sustainable enterprise – combining cutting edge business, environmental, employee and community practices.  Check out the video from our 2011 Green Plus Awards here.

Nominate your favorite triple-bottom line employer here by midnight, February 15, 2012. 

Categories include 

• Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise of the Year (any size)
• Green Plus Medium-Sized Employer
• Green Plus Sustainable Small Business of the Year
• Green Plus Sole Proprietor / Home Based Business of the Year
• Green Plus Non – Profit
• For – Benefit Corporation / Social Enterprise of the Year 

Nomination Guidelines
The Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards are not only about ‘green’ (environmental) programs — they are an effort to recognize and encourage a balanced approach to community engagement, environmental stewardship, and good business management generally. We seek to promote traditional organizations engaging in extraordinary practices while raising awareness around the importance of sustainability in their communities. 

Award nominees can expect be notified by the Institute selection committee between February 29th and March 15th.

Rules
-Any smaller enterprise (an organization of under 500 employees) in the United States or Canada may be nominated for a Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award. 
-There is no fee to be nominated.
-There is no required membership in any organization to be nominated. 
-Winners of juried Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards may not win a juried award two years in a row. 
-Nominees may not be related to or have an existing business relationship with staff or board members of the Institute for Sustainable Development

About the Institute
The Institute for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that helps smaller enterprises and their communities to become more sustainable, foster a new generation of sustainability leaders, and to promote dialogues about the theory and practice of sustainability across cultures. Green Plus, the Institute’s flagship program, exists to educate, network, and reward small enterprises in their triple bottom line efforts. Through Green Plus, the Institute strives to help smaller enterprises learn from one another as well as from experts and specifically seeks to celebrate enterprises that are trailblazers — innovating sustainable practices that one might not associate with a given business sector.  

Visit this link to learn about past Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award winners.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org 

Along with representatives from Duke Energy, American Electric Power (AEP), and Small Business Majority, the Green Plus team discussed how sustainable business and energy efficiency specifically can save small businesses money. Duke and AEP also covered existing incentives to help business owners improve their return on investment. While the incentive discussion is specific to Ohio, the Duke Energy and AEP case studies are great for smaller employers who want to take a bite out of their energy bills. 

 You can listen to the full webinar here.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus 

www.gogreenplus.org

Click here for the full description of the project by Duke University’s Nicholas School 

About the Project: Large purchasers, including private sector companies and the Federal government, are increasingly requiring new environmental practices by smaller enterprises in order for these enterprises to compete for business in their supply chains. Small and medium-sized businesses lack a clear, comprehensive portal to understand whether and which certifications can truly help them make their operations more sustainable, and how that relates to them gaining new business through national supply chains. The Institute for Sustainable Development wants to engage Nicholas School Masters students in an in-depth look at the best steps smaller enterprises can take on this topic.

The Institute is currently building an online platform (‘Help Desk’) to help smaller enterprises around the country to understand which environmental certifications which make sense for them, and how those and other supply chain certifications can earn them new business based in part upon good environmental practice. The conclusions of Nicholas School students on these questions will be front and center in our final online tool, and Masters Project participants are encouraged to feature how their intellectual work contributed to this final project -  which will help employers across the country.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org

What It Is

A carbon footprint measures the impact of various daily activities on the environment. The calculation measures the amount of greenhouse gases produced day to day from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and transportation. 

A normal carbon footprint can be divided into two portions, the primary footprint and the secondary footprint. The primary footprint measures the direct emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for domestic energy consumption and transportation.  The secondary footprint measures indirect emissions of CO₂ from the lifecycle products. [1] A number of websites provide free calculation tools to estimate the carbon footprints for both businesses and individuals/households. A simple Internet search of “carbon footprint calculators” will help you find these sites.  The EPA also provides a Household Emissions Calculator for use in individuals homes.  Carbon footprint software is also available to purchase.

Why It Matters

While a carbon footprint calculation measures CO₂ emissions to help track an individual’s or organization’s impact on the environment, it can also be a useful tool to help a company track areas where it can reduce its wasteful outputs and as a result, its expenditures.   A carbon calculation will help a company better understand where its emissions are coming from and where in its operations it is most advantageous to cut.

Carbon footprint calculations are an inexpensive easily completed tool that can result in large savings for an organization.  Despite some higher upfront costs required to make the transition to lower emission practices, the long term savings that would result could be substantial.  Simple steps, such as decreasing travel, utilizing energy efficient products, and increasing building insulation, can all be strategies to diminish primary CO₂ emissions.

Customers and employees value organizations that put an emphasis on environmental sustainability.  The knowledge that they are contributing to a company that is socially and environmentally conscious has innumerable influences on individual preferences.  According to a study conducted by McKinsey, large corporations’ recognition of this preference has actually driven their initial steps toward improved sustainability.[2]  Determining ones carbon footprint is a solid step in the right direction toward becoming more environmentally responsible.

Getting Started

To better understand where outputs are being wasted and where costs can be reduced, an organization:

1. Identify a reliable Carbon Footprint Calculator Tool
2. Audit areas within the organization to determine information to fill in the calculator
3. Complete the tool and evaluate the results
4. Develop criteria for primary areas to reduce emissions
5. Reduce emissions

1. Identify Carbon Footprint Calculator Tool

There are a number of free Carbon Footprint Calculator tools online that require a number of inputs to determine annual CO₂ emissions. Investigate some of the tools to determine what inputs each tool requires for the calculation to see whether the information is attainable. Choose the tool that fits your requirements and is able to be populated with reasonable information. Here are just a few calculators you can try: 

• Carbon Footprint
• EPA Emissions Calculator
• Carbon Fund
• The Nature Conservancy

2. Audit departments within the organization to gather data for calculator

Gather information from around the organization to fill in to the calculator. This can range from the cost of utility bills to the number of people who work at the organization.  The more accurate the information the better an estimate of emissions the calculator tool can make.

3. Complete Tool and Evaluate Results

Utilize the information gathered to populate the tool and calculate the organizations CO₂ emissions.  After running the tool, perform a preliminary interpretation of the results and look at the split of emissions between the primary and secondary footprint fields. 

4. Develop criteria to determine initial areas/sectors to reduce emissions within organization 

It is important to identify which priority areas should be addressed right away to produce the least emissions and most cost savings.  It could be helpful to create a transition map to guide what should be replaced when. Once your organization has created a plan, follow it closely to implement change to both internal and external CO₂ emissions.

5. Reduce Emissions 

Once key areas for reduction are identified begin to take steps to make those reductions.  Long term these reductions will help to not only cut company costs, but also reduce its overall CO₂ emissions.

Going Further

To further utilize a carbon footprint, your business can:

• Inform suppliers of change: Make sure to inform your suppliers that you are making a concerted effort to purchase environmentally friendly products and request updates when new environmentally products are available.
• Promote annual carbon footprint assessment: Continuously evaluate carbon emissions to guarantee that organization is continuing of a solid path, while promoting innovation.

Case Study

Timberland

Timberland athletic and shoe wear company recently conducted a corporate-wide sustainability overhaul, including an emissions inventory, upgrading energy efficiency measures in its facilities, incorporating LEED-certified building techniques, implementing new transportation management, and investing in renewable energy. Through these techniques Timberland was able to reduce CO₂ emissions by 10,000 tons annually.  The development of environmental performance programs that evaluated every level of the business allowed Timberland to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by trimming energy consumption and reducing their CO₂ emissions worldwide. [3]

HomeStreet Bank

HomeStreet Bank recently utilized a carbon footprint calculation to determine that a majority of its carbon emissions was coming from energy use and commute travel. Through its carbon footprint calculation they were able to determine the organizational boundary, establish a baseline, identify scope of impacts, and collect data. They selected carbon reduction strategies to maximize opportunities and minimize business impacts. Additionally, HomeStreet Bank was able to further reduce its electricity consumption by cutting computer servers and runtime hours on desktop computers.[4]

Resources for More Information

Books:

• How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: 365 Simple Ways to Save Energy, Resources, and Money by Joanna Yarrow.  Chapter topics range from techniques in reducing carbon footprint through heating and cooling to cooking and cleaning to working and child rearing
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to: Greening Your Business by Trish Riley and Heather Gadonniex.  Chapter 6, “Calculating and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint” specifically focuses on business reasons for carbon footprinting, calculating a footprint, identifying key carbon accounting tools and organization, and the role of carbon offsets.

 Links:

• Carbon Footprint provides solid information about carbon footprints along with a free carbon calculator and tips to reduce your footprint.

• EPA Household Emissions Calculator provides an estimate of greenhouse gas emissions and allows for people to play with inputs to see how various actions can reduce emissions 

Conclusion

Understanding an organization’s carbon footprint enables the organization to track its emissions and monitor its environmental impact.  Gaining a solid grasp of this information will allow an organization to identify key areas where emissions can be cut and money can be saved.  Conducting a carbon footprint calculation is an inexpensive and simple to complete way to simultaneously benefit the organization and the environment.

[1] Information retrieved from Carbon Footprint.

[2] Information retrieved from “McKinsey Global Survey Results: The business of sustainability” on October 8, 2011

[3] Information retrieved from Case Study: Timberland Reducing the Corporate Carbon Footprint One Step at a Time on December 3, 2011

[4] Information retrieved from HomeStreet Bank: A Carbon Footprint Measurement Case Study on December 3, 2011

The Duke Energy Foundation, the Park Foundation, the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, and the Generation Foundation are providing scholarships to qualifying smaller enterprises that want to pursue Green Plus education, networking, and certification in 2012 – 2013. The standard price for Green Plus is $550. Scholarships from these sponsors will make the program free to participants for a two-year period.

In North Carolina, a number of small business scholarships are available to smaller enterprises (fewer than 500 employees)

• In Duke Energy’s North Carolina service area 
• In economically challenged North Carolina communities (urban or rural) through the Park Foundation
• And to members of the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Chamber of Commerce

 In Ohio, the Institute has a number of scholarships available for small businesses in economically challenged communities in the City of Cleveland and in Cleveland’s inner ring suburbs. 

Online Application

To apply for a Green Plus scholarship, please click here and fill out Green Plus Scholarship Application survey.

• Staff will confirm your company’s eligibility and be in touch with instructions and next steps within 5 business days. 
• Scholarship recipients are asked to fill out and submit the initial Green Plus Diagnostic Tool within 30 days of receiving scholarship notification.

About The Program

Green Plus is the only national program dedicated to helping smaller and medium-sized enterprises achieve triple bottom line sustainability. Created in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, Green Plus is used by businesses in 15 states, and is the lead sustainability program of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, comprising 1,400 chambers of commerce representing 4 million businesses.

• Green Plus participants receive a introductory interview about their goals before moving on to a diagnostic that helps them examine their business, environmental, employee, and community practices. 
• Upon completing the Green Plus diagnostic, participants receive a road map to improving their operations, coaching from area graduate students, and gain access to a regional and national network of Green Plus businesses for advice and commerce. 
• Businesses earning exceptional scores over time may qualify for Green Plus Certification, a nationally recognized seal of sustainable business. 

 About The Institute for Sustainable Development

“Our mission is to democratize sustainability,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development, which runs the Green Plus program. “The support of the Duke Energy, Generation, and Park Foundations, and of the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, will allow us to serve a substantial number of smaller enterprises that can benefit from sustainability but might not have the means to enroll in Green Plus,” Carmody continued. 

Each year, the Institute for Sustainable Development recognizes outstanding small and medium-sized employers from around the U.S. for their leadership in sustainable enterprise — combining cutting edge business, environmental, employee and community practices.  Check out the video from our 2011 Green Plus Awards here.

Nominate your favorite triple-bottom line employer here by January 31, 2012. 

Categories include 

• Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise of the Year (any size)
• Green Plus Medium-Sized Employer
• Green Plus Sustainable Small Business of the Year
• Green Plus Sole Proprietor / Home Based Business of the Year
• Green Plus Non – Profit
• For – Benefit Corporation / Social Enterprise of the Year 

Nomination Guidelines
The Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards are not only about ‘green’ (environmental) programs — they are an effort to recognize and encourage a balanced approach to community engagement, environmental stewardship, and good business management generally. We seek to promote traditional organizations engaging in extraordinary practices while raising awareness around the importance of sustainability in their communities. 

Award nominees can expect be notified by the Institute selection committee between February 29th and March 15th.

Rules
-Any smaller enterprise (an organization of under 500 employees) in the United States or Canada may be nominated for a Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award. 
-There is no fee to be nominated.
-There is no required membership in any organization to be nominated. 
-Winners of juried Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Awards may not win a juried award two years in a row. 
-Nominees may not be related to or have an existing business relationship with staff or board members of the Institute for Sustainable Development. 

About the Institute
The Institute for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that helps smaller enterprises and their communities to become more sustainable, foster a new generation of sustainability leaders, and to promote dialogues about the theory and practice of sustainability across cultures. Green Plus, the Institute’s flagship program, exists to educate, network, and reward small enterprises in their triple bottom line efforts. Through Green Plus, the Institute strives to help smaller enterprises learn from one another as well as from experts and specifically seeks to celebrate enterprises that are trailblazers — innovating sustainable practices that one might not associate with a given business sector.  

Visit this link to learn about past Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award winners.