Meet Bland Landscaping, a commercial and residential landscape provider located just around the corner in Apex, North Carolina. They are one of theTriangle’s leading service providers of commercial landscape installation and ground management, and residential design/build, ground management, and landscape installation. They’ve been a family owned business since 1976 and have received over 100 state and national awards for their landscape excellence and environmental improvement.

What makes Bland Landscaping so interesting is they have taken a very traditional industry and have found new and innovative ways to infuse environmental stewardship into their operations. But it’s not just for kicks or for some marketing scheme. Each of their decisions is tied to a business objective – it’s got to make business sense (or cents!). Love it!

They have incorporated Lean Management to make their operations more efficient. And, in 2009 Bland Landscaping became one of the region’s very first Green Plus Certified businesses. Bland is a leader in the Triangle region because they made a commitment to reducing their environmental impact, investing in the community and social initiatives to improve the lives of employees, vendors, and customers, and reduce waste to the environment.

Why are they committed to these initiatives, you ask? Well, as with any sustainability effort, it boils down to smart business decisions and a positive return on investment. It doesn’t hurt that they’ve also instilled these principles in their corporate culture and shared their efforts with employees, vendors, and customers – taking a holistic approach to improvement.

We’re big fans of what the leadership team at Bland Landcaping is doing. If you are in need of landscaping help – either for commercial or residential properties, give them a call today. 919.387.0010

Here is a run down of some of the steps they have taken over the years:

• Purchasing hand-held power tools, they now purchase 4-mix engines instead of traditional 2 cycle engines
  • These engines not only generate less noise than those traditional engines, but also use fewer hydrocarbons and reduce fuel consumption!
• Replaced their entire fleet of backpack blowers and now use a model that’s 40% more efficient!
• Fuel all of their diesel trucks and off-road diesel equipment with locally produced B20 bio-diesel
• Use a non-petroleum, bio-degradable synthetic mix of oil in most of their gas powered, hand-held power tools
• In an effort to better manage their bio-diesel and gasoline consumption and cut down on idling time, they’ve purchased and installed GPS decided on all of their fleet vehicles
  • This not only makes the air a bit cleaner, but ensures efficient routes- a win-win if you ask me!

Committed to reducing the amount of waste produced.

To reduce the amount of waste produced while in the office and out on the job, they have implemented a recycling program and recycle in impressive list including waste oil and contaminated fuels and other lubricants as well as green waste and plant material generated during maintenance.

Reducing their use of natural resources.

To reduce their reliance on water, Bland Landscaping installed a 16,000 gallon rainwater cistern at their Wake Forrest facility to capture rainwater from the 4,000 square foot roof. This cistern not only prevents erosion, but saves numerous gallons of potable water for other uses! In addition to using their own captured rainwater, Bland Landscaping also uses reclaimed water from municipal water sources whenever possible.

Not only are they committed to reducing their use of natural resources at their offices, but they install equipment for customers that enables them to use water in smarter ways. For example, they install Evapotransportation systems (EV) for irrigation purposes wherever possible, which significantly reduce a site’s water usage. They also regularly check their irrigation systems for leaks and proper clock settings and use spray heads that produce a larger droplet size, minimizing drift and evaporation.

Preventing pollution.

Bland Landscaping is committed to a business model that helps prevent pollution. This model includes construction, maintenance, and remediation of BMP Storm Water systems to help filter and break down pollutants to keep them out of the municipal water supply. They’ve also voluntarily installed an enclosed wash bay that is connected to a four-chamber grease and particulate trap to divert waste water from entering the sanitary sewer system. This trap prevents oil, gas, and grease residue and pollutants from entering their storm water system.

To prevent harmful particulate from entering their customers homes and businesses they have implemented a system called Integrated Pest Management for controlling insects and disease. They now use less chemicals and rely more on science and common sense to solve problems related to pests and disease.”

Click here for the full post on Springleaf Adventures.

Springleaf Strategies is a marketing and sustainability consulting firm located in Raleigh, NC. We focus on growing your business through clear, effective communication and aligning sustainability objectives with your business goals.

About Springleaf Strategies

Our clients include companies in the green building industry, renewable energy and water conservation firms, municipalities, and non-profits. We also work with companies interested in strengthening their social and environmental responsibility as part of daily operations.

From strategic planning to tactical implementation, we offer a free consultation to show you how Springleaf Strategies can grow your business.

The Redwoods Group, headquartered in Morrisville, NC, is a privately held, socially responsible commercial specialty insurance company. The business and social mission of The Redwoods Group – whose motto is to Serve Others – is to protect and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.  The Redwoods Group has built into their foundation strong social and environmental standards for their operations, which has allowed them to create positive social change.

Here are some examples of actions taken by The Redwoods Group to make environmental and social change:

• Employees spend 40 hours of their work time each year in service to the community, building houses for the working poor, tutoring children in homeless shelters, serving meals at soup kitchens or shaving their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research
• The Redwoods Group matches most employee gifts to charity with an unlimited match for United Way contributions

• Redwoods commits to contributing a minimum of 10 percent of pre-tax income to charity every year, without exception

• In 2006-2007, the firm contributed over 50 percent of its pre-tax profits (about $500,000 each year) to nonprofit organizations throughout the world
• Redwoods educates and engages employees on the human condition to develop committed citizens of the world
• The Redwoods Group offers employee incentives for using alternative modes of transportation and will pay employees $30 a month toward the cost of public transportation
• The company has begun sending customers contracts on CDs. Redwoods has almost completely replaced its paper records with electronic records through an e-filing system that will be the primary method used going forward. For the first time, the firm distributed their annual report electronically via a PDF – they did not print hard copies. As a result, they saved 142,500 sheets of paper and reduced their carbon footprint by 28,500 pounds

• The Redwoods Group and their building’s property management firm work with Green Plus-certified Bland Landscaping for grounds management

• Redwoods joined Carbonrally which is an online competition to reduce carbon emissions, and has already reduced 37.15 tons of carbon

Here is what MJ Pearle, Public Relations and Community Outreach Manager, from The Redwoods Group had to say about their experience with Green Plus:

What inspired you to join Green Plus?

Our CEO has long embraced sustainability, so when we heard about the launch of Green Plus we wanted to support it financially and become one of the first Green Plus companies here. The Redwoods Group Foundation provided a grant to help launch Green Plus and recently agreed to give Green Plus a business loan to help move this effort to Chambers of Commerce across the nation.

What were some easy changes you were able to make to improve your sustainability?

Because we rent office space and don’t own our building we felt we couldn’t control many of the energy issues included on the Green Plus application.  So we met with reps of our property management firm and discovered that they

implemented green efforts of which we weren’t aware.  These included carefully examining utility bills, collecting rain water to re-use to water plants and hiring a landscaping company that is Green Plus certified.

Do you plan to make additional modifications to become even more sustainable, even though you are already certified?

Yes. We committed to develop written goals to reduce energy consumption and draft an environmental policy, among other efforts. We offer free coffee to employees and we currently are testing a new coffee machine that is “green.” We rent office space and the Green Plus effort was one

of several factors that led us to commit to move to a new “green” office building that currently is being built in downtown Durham by Greenfire Development. Greenfire is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which oversees the LEED Green

Building Rating system, which is the green standard in building.

Would you recommend this program to other businesses?

Yes!

Thirteen Businesses in Three States Receive Green Plus Recognition

Four North Carolina Businesses Become Green Plus Certified; Companies in Pennsylvania and Connecticut Complete First Stage of Certification

Thirteen businesses in the Green Plus program were recognized by the Institute for Sustainable Development for their exceptional efforts toward triple bottom line sustainability. Four businesses received full Green Plus certification, and nine were recognized as Green Plus Movers – businesses that have completed the first major step in the Institute’s sustainable small business certification process. Businesses receiving full Green Plus certification included The Redwoods Group, Riley Life Industries, Inc., Bland Landscaping and Zemo Trevathan & Associates.

Laser Plus, a printer and remanufactured toner company, became the first Pennsylvania business to be recognized by the Institute’s Green Plus program. One Minute Green, a sustainability consulting service, became the first Connecticut business to complete phase one of Green Plus certification. Other Green Plus Movers include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Business Class, Inc., Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, Homewood Suites by Hilton, MG Capital Maintenance, One Minute Green, Quality Staffing Specialists, and Springleaf Strategies. (Please see below for a full description of each business or see www.gogreenplus.org).

“Green Plus is a triple bottom line sustainability business certification – Planet plus People plus Performance,” said Chris Carmody, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development. “One of the most exciting things about this new class of Green Plus certified businesses is that they are exceptional in the People part of the triple bottom line.”

Bland Landscaping, for example, requires monthly community service by of all of its senior management and has noteworthy programs to engage all of its employees in the success of its business. “The future of any business will impend on its ability to be a responsible corporate citizen that makes a positive impact on society while earning a profit,” said co-owner Kurt Bland. “Using the Green Plus tools and pursuing the certification, business owners are empowered to better guide their organizations along the path of long term success. We are proud to be part of the most recent Green Plus graduating class,” Bland concluded.

The Redwoods Group, the largest insurer of YMCAs in the country, was one of only fifteen businesses in the country to receive The Wall Street Journal’s Top Small Workplaces award in 2008. Kevin Trapani, President and CEO of The Redwoods Group, said, “We strongly believe that business can and should be a powerful force for positive social change. What I love about Green Plus is that we have to assess the efficacy of our products as well as the robust nature of our profits.”

The Institute for Sustainable Development is a public-private partnership between centers at Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Greater Durham Chambers of Commerce, the Fenwick Foundation and the Foundation for a Sustainable Community. Major corporate supporters include GlaxoSmithKline and Lenovo. The Institute’s overall business plan for Green Plus was commissioned in 2007 by Tony Waldrop, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Center for Sustainable Enterprise at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business developed the plan, and a partnership of centers at UNC, Duke University, chambers of commerce and philanthropic foundations built and tested the program with small businesses in North Carolina and Ohio in 2008. The program was formally launched in North Carolina in February and in Pennsylvania in June.

Green Plus is designed to provide small and medium sized employers with affordable educational tools and university assistance in becoming sustainable, access to a network of peers, and brand support in the form of certification for those organizations with exceptional sustainability performance.  “It has been a wonderful learning and networking process, becoming part of the Green Plus program,” said Zemo Trevathan of Zemo Trevathan & Associates.  “I have been very impressed with the track record the Institute for Sustainable Development has with providing concrete help to companies in fulfilling triple bottom line objectives.”

New Certified Green Plus Businesses

Bland Landscaping

Since 2005, Bland Landscaping has implemented a variety of environmental and social initiatives to reduce costs to the company, improve the lives of its employees, clients, vendors and reduce waste to the environment. Among other environmental initiatives, Bland Landscaping uses hybridized 4-mix engines instead of traditional 2 cycle engines when purchasing handheld tools, has an extensive recycling program, uses vehicles powered by B20 biodiesel, and uses environmentally friendly pesticides.  Bland Landscaping also prides themselves on social initiatives such as mandatory paid community service days each month, cultivation of elementary school gardens, and Habitat for Humanity landscaping projects.  Bland Landscaping is committed to a triple bottom line approach where people, profit, and planet are all equally emphasized.

Riley Life Industries, Inc.

Riley Life’s corporate values are passion, integrity, innovation, and sustainability. Riley Life, located in Durham, NC, provides outsourced service support including order fulfillment, kitting and packaging, product distribution and warehousing to sustainability-minded companies. Riley Life’s business philosophy relies heavily on the triple bottom line of sustainability: social, economic and environmental.

In their own words: “The namesake of Riley Life Industries – Riley Bingham – is a vivacious 2-year-old with her whole life ahead of her. With that in mind, we seek to understand the future implications of our actions by focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of our business. We use 100% recyclable packaging materials, pay for gas for employees who carpool, and partner with sustainability-minded vendors. As a company, we participate in monthly community philanthropic activities and make the schedule available on our website.” While “going green” is generally associated with drinking lattes, wearing sandals with socks and smelling of patchouli oil, we like to think of it as making the world a better place for the cutest little girl on Earth.”

The Redwoods Group

The Redwoods Group, based in Morrisville, North Carolina, is the largest insurer of YMCAs in the country. The Redwoods Group’s motto is Serve Others, and it is dedicated to improving and protecting the communities that it serves.  In the company’s focus statement, President and CEO Kevin Trapani declares, “We strongly believe that business can and should be a powerful force for positive social change.”

The Wall Street Journal and the nonprofit organization Winning Workplaces named The Redwoods Group one of 15 winners of the 2008 Top Small Workplaces award. Redwoods, the first North Carolina company to win this prestigious award, competed against 800 businesses across the nation. The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce selected Redwoods to receive its Smith Seal of North Carolina Sustainable Business Award, part of its 2009 Pinnacle Business Award competition. The company was recognized in April 2009 as a Green Plus Mover, having successfully completed the first phase of certification for Green Plus. The Triangle Business Journal recognized Redwoods as one of the 2008 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle and ranked the company sixth in its list of Top Corporate Philanthropists (first in size). The United Way of North Carolina selected the firm for its 2008 and 2007 Spirit of North Carolina award for Redwoods’ overall commitment to United Way and the community. Redwoods won the 2008 Best Model Campaign Award from the Triangle United Way. The Raleigh News & Observer touted Redwoods as the third “greenest” company in the Triangle for its 2007 environmental efforts. Sustainable North Carolina honored Redwoods with its 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility award.

Zemo Trevathan & Associates

Zemo Trevathan & Associates specializes in sustainability consulting, business value analytics and leadership coaching. Trevathan is known for his ability to create training environments that foster deep trust, collaboration, and effective communication in which team members and individuals uncover new skills and enhance existing ones.  In Zemo’s executive coaching as well as in trainings and team interventions, the focus is on aligning individuals and groups with their own intrinsic values and motivations so they can contribute fully and excel in the endeavors that matter most to them.

New Green Plus Movers

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national professional association of CPAs. It has more than 350,000 members, including CPAs in business and industry, public practice, government, and education; student affiliates; and international associates. The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies; federal, state and local governments; and non-profit organizations; and develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.

The AICPA is one of 16 global accounting bodies holding membership in the Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability Forum.  Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO, and Bob Laux, member of the board of directors, represented the Institute at the Forum’s first event in December 2008 in the United Kingdom.

Business Class

Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Business Class provides resources for managers and business owners who want to boost productivity and morale. “We have a passion for business and making it fun, satisfying and productive for all involved,” says Founder, Jan Bolick. Bolick has combined her experiences as a CEO, general manager, salesperson, leader, follower, organizer, volunteer, fundraiser, teacher, student and parent, to develop customized training and coaching programs to suit the needs of each client.

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center is Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Chatham county’s oldest family-owned tire and auto repair facility. Founded in 1953, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center has woven itself into the fabric of the surrounding community. Over the years, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center has become the place to go for auto service and tires, and has come to symbolize excellence in tires and auto service.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham-Chapel Hill

Homewood Suites in Durham is an extended stay hotel that is committed to providing excellent service and accommodations to customers as well as setting an example to the industry about outstanding employee and environmental treatment.  Homewood Suites in Durham has recently retrofitted their facilities with energy efficient light bulbs and made a shift to a more environmentally friendly laundry detergent.  Homewood Suites hopes that its triple bottom line approach will serve as both a competitive edge in the hospitality industry as well as an example for other hotel chains to follow.

MG Capital Maintenance

MG Capital Maintenance is a minority owned and operated commercial janitorial company located in Morrisville, NC, that adheres to environmentally responsible cleaning practices by providing chemicals, equipment, paper and other supplies that are certified by the Green Seal and the CRI Green Label Testing Program. MG Capital Maintenance is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. MG Capital Maintenance recognizes that diversity contributes to the bottom line by increasing employee retention, lowering costs by developing skills in-house, and developing a reputation that helps attract new employees. 

Laser Plus

Laser Plus has offered quality recycled toner cartridges for 25 years. Over time Laser Plus has created a unique solid waste savings report, which customers can use internally and externally as proof of efforts they are making to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, last year one of Laser Plus’ insurance companies kept 1,724 pounds of solid waste out of our local landfills at a financial savings of $21,000. Laser Plus is committed to performing well in the profit margins, while treating employees well and doing their part to maintain environmental integrity.

One Minute Green

One Minute Green, based in Connecticut, provides a community web site with information about new green products, businesses, jobs, local green initiatives and projects. One Minute Green also works directly with consumers, small-to-medium sized businesses and organizations to identify cost-effective ways to save money, products and resources by going green.

Quality Staffing Specialists

Quality Staffing Specialists is a full-service staffing agency serving the needs of companies all over the Triangle area of North Carolina. Quality Staffing has grown to become the largest woman owned business in the Triangle. Quality Staffing Specialists began providing temporary help to the Triangle area of North Carolina in 1995. Their Triangle staff has over 122 years cumulative staffing and human resources experience. This, as well as their commitment to service, has led them to become one of the largest independently owned personnel services in the Triangle.

Springleaf Strategies

Springleaf Strategies helps companies to create a sustainability vision and marketing plan. By incorporating sustainability-focused decisions into daily operations, Springleaf Strategies is committed to making a positive impact on the business community. Sustainability is integrated into their mission.  Springleaf Strategies is always asking, “Is this the best alternative for the environment, the community, and the business?”

Three small businesses from the landscaping, restaurants, and IT sectors discussed how sustainability in general and Green Plus in particular help them improve operations, save money, and become better environmental and community stewards. The businesses included Bland Landscaping, the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, and iContact. The Triangle Success Forum is an annual forum hosted by Triangle area chambers of commerce and other strategic partners to generate discourse and find solutions to the region’s growth-related challenges.

This year, Green Plus presented at the event, along with Duke Energy and Progress Energy.

If you can’t view the video above, click here to see it on YouTube.

Join local leaders at the 2009 Triangle Success Forum to hear the business case behind going green. Learn how your business can become more sustainable and see a positive bottom line impact, impact, and hear from three Triangle businesses (Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, Bland Landscaping, and iContact) who have used Green Plus to improve their sustainability and their bottom line and earn customer recognition for their efforts. The Triangle Success Forum is a presentation of the Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, and Durham chambers of commerce.

The program fee is $35, and includes a full breakfast.

Going Green to Get the Green will take place at the Research Triangle Park Headquarters and Conference Center, located at 12 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, May 12 from 8 – 11:15a.m.

RSVP by May 6 to Kathryn Wright at 919.664.7090 or kwright@raleighchamber.org.

www.gogreenplus.org

Because we spend our days caring for the built environment, we realize more than most people that the time for positive environmental change is now.

Since 2005, Bland Landscaping, based in Apex, North Carolina, has implemented a variety of environmental and social initiatives to reduce costs to the company, improve the lives of our employees, clients, vendors and reduce waste to the environment.

No organization or individual is perfect or ever will be, but maybe the most important aspect of environmental improvement is the conviction to do something better.  Action always speak louder than words.  Here are some examples of Bland Landscaping’s actions:

• All diesel trucks and all off-road diesel equipment is fueled with locally produced B20 Bio-diesel.
• All scrap metal from landscape operations and canned beverages is recycled.
• All office paper, blueprints, magazines, cardboard and bottles are recycled.
• We recycle our waste oil, contaminated fuels and other lubricants, and we use a non-petroleum, bio-degradable synthetic mix of oil in most gas operated, hand-held power tools.
• We purchased hybridized 4-mix engines instead of traditional 2 cycle engines when purchasing handheld power tools. These engines generate less noise and fewer hydrocarbons, as well as reducing fuel consumption.
• We installed a 16,000 gallon cistern at our Wake Forest facility to capture rainwater from the 4,000 square foot roof, saving valuable potable water for other uses.
• Our irrigation design, installation and maintenance practices are state-of-the-art and comprehensive.  Where applicable, we install Evapotranspiration systems that significantly reduce the amount of water used on a site.
• Bland Landscaping has committed to a business model that includes construction, maintenance and remediation of BMP Storm water systems to help filter and break down pollutants to keep them out of our municipal water supply and to help control flooding.
• We use reclaimed water from municipal water sources to help preserve the limited amount of potable water.
• We voluntarily installed an enclosed wash bay that is connected to a four-chamber grease and particulate trap that diverts the waste water into the sanitary sewer system.  This prevents oil, grease and gasoline residue from seeping into our storm water system.
• We have replaced our entire fleet of backpack blowers with new Stihl BR550 blowers that are 40% more efficient in their use of fuel.
• To control insects and diseases, we use a system called Integrated Pest management.  We believe that using science and common sense uses less chemicals and does a better job of identifying and solving many pest and disease problems.
• We installed seven programmable thermostats in our Apex location to better manage heating and cooling usage during off hours
• We installed GPS devices on all of our vehicles to cut down on wasted idiling time and give us a tool to make our routes more efficient.  This further reduces the need for gas and biodiesel, making our air a little cleaner in the process.
• We’ve purchased three BMW Mini Coopers, which get approximately 39 miles per gallon.  More are on the way.
• We recycle all of our green waste that is generated during maintenance operations.
• Our social and community volunteer involvement includes elementary school raised gardens, compost bins and courtyard improvements; middle school and high school expos and mentoring; high school horticulture program involvement; Habitat for Humanity landscaping projects; middle school tree donations; cancer awareness and survivor programs and high school business alliances.