Seven Organizations in Three States Earn Green Plus Certification

Seven more enterprises complete the first stage of the Green Plus program

The Institute for Sustainable Development announced seven new organizations in three states have achieved Green Plus Certification.   Created by the NC Research Triangle-based Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus is modern business improvement program for smaller enterprises that focuses on triple bottom line sustainability.  This new group includes the first life science company to be Green Plus Certified as well as the first creative reuse center and the first chamber of commerce in Ohio.  Seven more businesses earned Green Plus Mover status, the first big step in the program.

“This newest Green Plus Certified class provides inspirational examples to other smaller enterprises,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.  ”Sustainability is about changing attitudes and making smart business decisions that in turn strengthen the local economy, environment, and community,” Carmody concluded.

New Certified Green Plus organizations include:

• Communication Matters (Hillsborough, NC)
• The Greater Cleveland Partnership / Council of Smaller Enterprises (Cleveland, OH)
• High Hotels (Lancaster, PA)
• HRW, Inc. (Raleigh, NC)
• MindWorks Multimedia (Durham, NC)
• Pharmaceutical Calibration and Instrumentation (Raleigh, NC)
• The Scrap Exchange (Durham, NC)

Including these organizations, a total of forty-three enterprises in five states have earned Green Plus Certification.

“Sustainability is a ‘hot topic’ in the business world,” said Joe Roman, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. “A growing number of businesses of all sizes are incorporating internal sustainability practices. For some, it also includes exploring emerging opportunities in the development of sustainability products and systems. As a business organization, we’re ramping up our internal efforts that signal to our members that we’re engaged in this emerging business trend.”

Seven other organizations achieved Green Plus Mover status — the first major stage toward Green Plus Certification.  These organizations include:

• Controlling Barrier Insects (Lumberton, NC)
• DesignHammer Media Group (Durham, NC) — http://www.designhammer.com/
• Earth Stone Products (Greensboro, NC) — http://www.earthstoneproducts.net/
• Elliott Davis LLC (Greenville, SC) — http://www.elliottdavis.com/
• NRC (Willoughby, OH) — http://www.floralinedisplay.com/
• Tremont Electric (Cleveland, OH) — http://www.npowerpeg.com/about-us
• Waddler & Associates (Elizabeth City, NC) — http://waddlerandassociates.com/

New Green Plus Certified Organizations

HRW Inc. (http://www.hrw.net)

A community and associations management company, HRW Inc. (an Associa company) has been serving the Raleigh area since 1982.  HRW has shown its commitment to being a leader in its industry and has invested much time and effort into its sustainability practices since it achieved Green Plus Mover status in September 2010.

“The Green Plus certification process helped us immensely by providing tools, support and guidance that helped us to learn how to organize our resources better, and taught us to pay attention to details that collectively make a big difference in our organization’s environmental impact,” said HRW President, Cathy Wade.  ”The balanced approach (people, planet, performance) makes this a win-win process, not only for our company and staff, but for the greater community and our clients too.”

Communication Matters (http://www.cmatters.org)

A strategic marketing firm in Hillsborough, NC, Communications Matters has thoroughly embraced the Green Plus program and is setting an example for home based businesses across the country.  Libbie Hough, principle of Communication Matters, proves that even the sole proprietors exercise the triple bottom line. Hough has taken steps to reduce water consumption, energy consumption, travel (for herself and her contractors) and purchases renewable energy credits to offset her usage even more.  Hough is also heavily involved in the local community and volunteers on multiple boards as well as speaking at events for the American Heart Association.

“I’m honored to be among those businesses and organizations that have earned full certification,” said Libbie Hough. “And I see this as is another step in an ongoing process – determining how to better serve my clients, better serve my community, and building a successful business.”

Greater Cleveland Partnership/Council of Smaller Enterprises (http://www.cose.org)

The Greater Cleveland (GCP) and the Council of Smaller Enterrpises (COSE) is the first chamber of commerce in Ohio to become Green Plus Certified.  Through COSE, the GCP is taking an active leadership role in encouraging small business sustainability in the Cleveland area.  Most recently, in October 2010, COSE launched an Energy Efficiency Guide with easy tips for improving energy efficiency and case studies from eight small businesses that successfully incorporated energy efficient practices into their companies.

“Helping small businesses understand how sustainable practices can have a positive impact on their businesses is an area of focus for us,” said Steve Millard, president and executive director of COSE.  ”Earning the Green Plus certification encourages us to continue to ensure we are walking the walk on sustainability.”

GCP/COSE is actively working to minimize the organization’s collective impact on the environment and reduce expenses. Staff-related activities, led by the GCP/COSE “Green Team,” include setting organizational metrics and goals, educating employees company-wide with green tips, increasing recycling, and incentivizing the use of public transportation through discounted rail and bus passes.

High Hotels Ltd (http://www.highhotels.com)

High Hotels are the first group of hotels to receive Green Plus Certification in Pennsylvania.

“High Hotels Ltd. has continued its progress along its sustainability journey by formalizing and championing our approach,” said Frank McCabe, President of High Hotels. “Going through the Green Plus Certification process was extremely valuable and helped us to expand our triple-bottom-line approach to sustainability.”

High Hotels has long been a sustainability advocate, and going through Green Plus has given the company a new way to organize their sustainability efforts and goals.  High Hotels has set goals to reduce energy and water consumption as well as formalizing their employee wellness and mentorship programs.

“Since the High companies’ inception 80 years ago, our organization has embraced a number of the guiding business principles related to sustainability including fostering a positive work environment for our employees and partners, being responsible stewards of the environment, and investing profits responsibly to secure our future in ways that are also good for our community,” said McCabe.

MindWorks Multimedia (http://www.mwmm.com/)

Based in Durham, NC, MindWorks Multimedia is an audio/visual production company that specializes in educational learning products and videos.  A community leader in terms of triple bottom line sustainability, MindWorks is newly located in a LEED certified building and provides a number of health and wellness programs to keep its employees engaged and productive.

“Going through the certification process allowed us to examine every area of our business and find additional ways our values and goals were in synch with those of the Institute for Sustainable Development,” said MindWorks Multimedia’s CEO Greg Rowland.  ”The Institute’s staff was a tremendous resource and the valuable information we learned through this process will help us reach future goals of becoming a leader in sustainability as well as supporting other businesses with a similar corporate culture and outlook.”

Pharmaceutical Calibration and Instrumentation (http://www.pci-llc.com)

The first organization in the life science industry to become Green Plus Certified, Pharmaceutical Calibration and Instrumentation (PCI) is located in Raleigh, NC.  PCI is an inspiring example for organizations looking to educate and engage their employees around triple bottom line issues.  Among other things, the company-wide newsletter shares not only green tips, but also opportunities for employees to become involved in the community and ways to get and stay healthy.

“The Green Plus diagnostic tool asked thought-provoking [and] the team at the Institute for Sustainable Development worked with me through the whole process, from my first question prior to taking the diagnostic tool, all the way through the verification process for certification,” said Kelly Hill, PCI representative.  ”PCI learned a great deal about how we can positively affect our triple bottom line and now we have a plan and a time-line for specific improvements.”

The Scrap Exchange (www.scrapexchange.org)

The Scrap Exchange is a creative reuse center in Durham, NC and the first of its kind to achieve Green Plus Certification.  Inherently green, the Scrap Exchange sells and recycles donated goods at its retails location and engages the local schools and community through workshops, parties, and other events meant to educate about reuse and creating art from recycled objects.

“Receiving the Green Plus Certification in our 20th year is a significant achievement; from vermicomposting to utilizing reusables as our office supplies, to promoting workplace sustainability, [we] endeavor to adhere to the standards set by the program, and looks forward to the next 20 years!” says Ann May Woodward, Executive Director of the Scrap Exchange.

North Carolina Research Triangle – Twenty-nine organizations were recognized for their dedication to triple bottom line sustainability through the Green Plus™ program by the Institute for Sustainable Development.  Eleven organizations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio obtained Green Plus™certification, while eighteen others from the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest took the first step toward certification by becoming Green Plus™ Movers.  Organizations earning full Green Plus™ certification include Aramark at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center, Cargas Systems, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Hughes Pittman & Gupton LLC, jennifer k. engle marketing & communications, Lube Stop, Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation, the Triangle Community Foundation, the Umstead Hotel & Spa, and Wenger Feeds.

“We’re seeing an uptick in formal sustainability efforts and leadership from traditional businesses and nonprofits,”said Chris Carmody, the Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.  ”We’re pleased to welcome the first Certified Green Plus™chambers of commerce (Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Durham), first accounting firm (Hughes Pittman & Gupton), first auto care companies (Chapel Tire Car Care Center and Lube Stop), and first electric utility (Piedmont EMC).”  Also included in the newly certified organizations are enterprises as diverse as a dining facility, a software company, a marketing firm, a grant making nonprofit, a luxury hotel, and an agricultural feed business.  ”These organizations prove that any business or nonprofit can transform its operations and culture to serve the triple bottom line,” Carmody said. ”Many of the newly certified organizations have been working diligently for several quarters to launch new initiatives and practices.  It can take time to achieve certification, but it’s within reach for those organizations with high levels of commitment and internal support,” Carmody concluded.

The Green Plus™ program helps educate and certify small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the areas of triple bottom line sustainability (People, Planet, and Performance).  A program of the Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus™focuses on an organization’s policies and procedures and therefore applies to businesses across sectors and industries.  The first step in the program is completing the 86 question diagnostic survey, after which an organization is acknowledged as a Green Plus™ Mover.

New Certified Green Plus™ Organizations

Aramark at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center – Durham, NC – www.acc-rdthomasconferencecenter.com

Aramark provides the dining services at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center.  Located on the West Campus of Duke University in Durham, NC, the R. David Thomas Center is a full-service residential facility affiliated with Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

From monitoring its environmental impacts through an Environmental Management System conforming to ISO 140001 to changing all the lighting to LED, purchasing Energy Star appliances, installing aerators and automatic faucets, offering water dispensers instead of bottled water, installing an herb garden and vegetable garden, and using all Green Seal certified cleaning products, to offering a program called Pathway to Leadership (PTC), which provides internship experiences for college students, Aramark at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center sets a standard for sustainability in dining services.

Cargas Systems – Lancaster, PA – www.cargas.com

Cargas is an employee-owned software and consulting firm voted one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania 2009.

In August of 2010, Cargas is moving its office to help revitalize downtown Lancaster and to be more conveniently situated for employees, moving to a location enabling 80% of employees to bike to work.  The new building will include showers to further encourage biking and other forms of self transportation.  In addition, the new facility will be LEED Silver and include solar panels, passive solar, trombe walls, water source heat pumps and water-saving plumbing fixtures.  Offering flex time, telecommuting, employee training and development, and a four-week paid sabbatical, Cargas has a unique culture which cultivates individual development.  Cargas was awarded the North American Sustainable Enterprise of the Year award in 2010 by Green Plus.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce – Chapel Hill, NC – www.carolinachamber.org

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber serves and advances the business interests of its members and supports the mission of its partner, the Foundation for a Sustainable Community.  The Chamber strives to build its members’ professional networks and to help its members market their businesses, save money, sharpen their skills, and represent their interests on a local, state, and national level while engaging in successful economic development activities.

With regard to People, the Chamber engages its employees and the community by offering a mentoring program to its employees, donating conference room space,  providing scholarships to Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools, offering internships to UNC students and participating in blanket and food drives.  On the Planet side, the Chamber uses an energy efficient copy machine, coffee machine, and HVAC; purchases renewable energy credits from NC GreenPower; retrofitted its bathrooms with low flow toilets; recycles cardboard, paper, plastics and cans; reuses paper when possible, and prints on post-consumer recycled paper.

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center – Chapel Hill, NC – www.chapelhilltire.com

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.

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center uses a balanced scorecard to think comprehensively about its business and supports its community by providing employer-sponsored healthcare, purchasing products locally, and contributing regularly to community organizations.  The car care center is leading in its environmental practices, having retrofitted one location with low-e windows, energy-efficient LED lighting, dual-flush toilets, interior finishes such as low-VOC paints, and reduced impervious surface landscaping with a rainwater collection cistern.  It also mitigates environmental impacts by offering EFO (Environmentally Friendly Oil) for oil changes and NitroFill tire inflation system to boost tire efficiency and life and reduce tire waste.  Notably, the car care center also installed a 16.4 kW solar voltaic array at one of its locations, providing 80% peak power on sunny day.

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce – Durham, NC – www.durhamchamber.org

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization that serves its members by helping to create and sustain a healthy economic climate.

Among its sustainable initiatives, the Durham Chamber made improvements to its office space in a recent renovation, including knocking down walls to bring in more natural lighting for employees, installing energy efficient lighting with motion sensors, and using environmentally-friendly materials, such as cork, recycled wood doors, and low VOC paints.  It also invested in an energy efficient copier and dishwasher and converted its kitchen products to paperless or recycled products as much as possible.  It reduced paper use by discontinuing the mailing of bulky relocation packets and switching to electronic resources.  It also offsets energy use by purchasing renewable energy credits.  It is committed to equal opportunity employment policies, employer-sponsored healthcare, wellness programs, and paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.  Finally, it donates in-kind services as well as food and furniture, and its employees volunteer in the community.

Hughes Pittman & Gupton LLC – Raleigh, NC – www.hpg.com

Hughes Pittman & Gupton (HPG) is a certified public accounting (CPA) firm based in the Research Triangle Park region of NC that works with investor-backed technology, medical device, life-science and biotechnology companies and owner-managed operating companies and their owners, executives and founders.

HPG has launched multiple initiatives to integrate sustainability into its culture, including a staff-led recycling program, signage about conservation around the office, an Earth Day awareness event, sustainability-topic lunch and learns, a Green Initiative board, monthly green emails, and a weekly Green Monster award for staff members.  It has reduced resource use by purchasing an energy efficient dishwasher and fridge, switching to reusable kitchenware, eliminating unnecessary lighting, measuring and monitoring its energy and water use, and setting future goals for energy and water use reduction.  HPG contributes to its community by providing incentive time for employee work with community organizations, internships to local university students, and is active in the clean tech and sustainable economic development community through participation in conferences and groups such as the SJF Summit on the Green Economy and REBN.

jennifer k. engle marketing & communications – Lancaster, PA – www.jkecommunications.com

jke marketing & communications assists clients in creating an exciting and sustainable future for their small to mid-sized business or non-profit organization.

jke’s certification reaffirms that sole proprietors and home office businesses can manage the triple bottom line. Ms. Engle works out of her home and uses an energy efficient water heater, refrigerator, washer/dryer, TV, and LED lights, and unplugs appliances when not in use.  She has planted native plants with minimal grass and a riparian buffer to protect local streams from pollution and sedimentation, recycles, and uses FSC paper.  She donates to and volunteers with community organizations and provides internship opportunities to college students.

Lube Stop – Berea, OH – www.lubestop.com

Lube Stop, Ohio’s largest independently owned quick oil change company, was founded in 1985 and currently employs 260 people in the company’s 37 stores across Ohio. Over the past five years, Lube Stop has made a concerted effort to adopt sustainable business practices, promote the business case for sustainability to regional companies and the industry, and works to protect the environment as well as customers’ cars.

Lube Stop drives sustainability initiatives to both internal and external audiences.  Internally, it has formally included sustainability it in its mission statement and business strategy, publishes an annual sustainability report, and offers employee sustainability training.  It actively promotes sustainability externally by providing resources on its website, educating the public about the proper disposal of oil through public service announcements, and educating its customers about ways to improve gas mileage.  In addition to recycling practices and formal energy and water use reduction goals, Lube Stop finds inspiration from companies like 3M and Dow Chemical in waste reduction by encouraging innovations within its company and supply chain.  Lube Stop supports its community by purchasing from local sources, engaging local university students, and providing significant donations to community organizations.  Lube Stop was also a finalist for the Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise of the Year award.

Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation – Hillsborough, NC – www.pemc.org

Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is a not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative which provides electricity to more than 30,000 consumers. An innovative electric utility, Piedmont EMC focuses on providing its member-consumers with a blend of high technology and progressive customer service.

Piedmont EMC has a Green Team, recycles, encourages the use of reusable plates and silverware, and uses energy efficient lighting.  It empowers its customers and community to be more sustainable by providing Smart Meters and detailed energy use information, offering booklets and brochures with tips on reducing energy use, and giving presentations at local schools about sustainability.  It also co-sponsors North Carolina’s Bright Ideas Grant Program, providing college scholsarhips for students whose families are members.  Piedmont EMC was also a finalist for the Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise of the Year award.

Triangle Community Foundation – Durham, NC – www.trianglecf.org

Triangle Community Foundation (TCF) is a nonprofit organization that manages $135 million in funds established by individuals, businesses and families. From these funds, it gives grants to nonprofit organizations and administers a variety of programs for the community’s benefit.

Located in a recently renovated historic tobacco warehouse, TCF participates in the sustainability committee for its office complex, uses CFLs and Energy Star appliances, and subsidizes employee public transportation.  To reduce paper use, TCF encourages the use of projectors and smart boards and uses FSC paper and prints double-sided when printing is necessary.  Beyond its ongoing grantmaking, TCF contributes to its employees and community by offering internships to local university students, sponsoring community events, offering employee wellness activities and providing paid time off for employee volunteering.  TCF was also a 2010 Green Plus Nonprofit of the Year finalist.

Umstead Hotel & Spa – Cary, NC – www.theumstead.com

Wenger Feeds – Rheems, PA – www.wengerfeeds.com

Wenger Feeds is a comprehensive Agricultural Feed, Ingredients, and Service company on the East Coast. Wenger’s customers provide eggs, poultry, dairy, and pork food products to the Mid-Atlantic region, an area that comprises more than 25% of the U.S. population.

Wenger Feeds displays environmental stewardship through bulk purchasing, reviewing monthly utility bills, undergoing energy audits, installing energy efficient lighting and low flow toilets, allowing employees to telecommute, and actively calculating its return on investment for sustainability projects.  It improves the lives of its employees and the community by offering wellness incentives such as gym membership subsidies and other healthy lifestyle incentives, providing internships for high school and college students, and donating furniture to community organizations.

New Green Plus™ Movers

• Assembled Products Corporation – Rogers, AR – www.assembledproducts.com
• Benjamin Environment Sustainability Team – West Palm Beach, FL – www.benjaminvisuals.com
• Counter Culture Coffee – Durham, NC – www.counterculturecoffee.com
• Excel Moving & Storage, Inc. – Raleigh, NC – www.excelms.com
• Global Electric Electronic Processing – Research Triangle Park, NC – www.geepglobal.com
• Greater Des Moines Partnership – Des Moines, IA – www.desmoinesmetro.com
• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce – Raleigh, NC – www.raleighchamber.org
• Irregardless Cafe & Catering – Raleigh, NC – www.irregardless.com
• Integrated Laboratory Solutions, Inc. – Research Triangle Park, NC – www.ils-inc.com
• Maryland Association of CPAs – Towson, MD – www.macpa.org
• Museum of Life + Science – Durham, NC – www.ncmls.org
• National Bank of South Carolina – North Myrtle Beach, SC – www.banknbsc.com
• Pantek, Inc. – Independence, OH – www.pantek.com
• Raleigh Radon – Raleigh, NC – www.raleighradon.com
• Swiger Coil Systems LLC – Cleveland, OH – www.swigercoil.com
• Virginia Society of CPAs – Glen Allen, VA – www.vscpa.com
• Zag Interactive – Glastonbury, CT – www.zaginteractive.com

Forty-six businesses were recognized for their dedication to triple bottom line sustainability in the Green Plus ^TM by the Institute for Sustainable Development.  Five businesses in North Carolina and Pennsylvania obtained Green Plus ^TM certification, while thirty-nine others throughout the Midwest and Southeast were recognized for taking the first step in the program and are now Green Plus ^TM Movers .  Organizations that received the full Green Plus ^TM Certification are A Better Image Printing (NC), Environmental Solutions Group (NC), King’s Daughters Inn (NC), Quality Staffing (NC), and Wohlsen Construction Company (PA).

“We are proud to be working with organizations that are setting the example for smaller enterprise sustainability,” said Chris Carmody, Institute for Sustainable Development Executive Director.  ”We are motivated by our clients’ commitment to the environment and their communities. Their involvement is what makes Green Plus a great community hub for sharing best practices and helping American small businesses understand that sustainability is a growth opportunity.”

“Going through the Green Plus ^TM Certification was very satisfying,” said Diana Minta, owner of A Better Image Printing.  ”It helped me realize that [we] already had many green and sustainable processes in place, like employee benefits, giving back to our community and planning for the future. At the same time we had room to improve. The certification process gave me the tools and motivation to strive for that improvement. Thanks for making [this program] available,” Minta concluded.

The Green Plus ^TM program helps educate and certify small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the areas of triple bottom line sustainability (People, Planet, and Performance).  A program of the Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus^TM focuses on an organization’s policies and procedures and therefore applies to businesses across sectors and industries.  The first step in the program is completing the 86 question diagnostic survey, after which an organization is acknowledged as a Green Plus ^TM Mover.  This new class of Green Plus ^TM Movers includes: Allora Consulting, LLC, AlphaGraphics Cary, Aramark at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center, Armadillo Books, Avista Resort, ActionCOACH – Ben Quinn, Carpe Diem Cleaning, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Communication Matters, Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), Damon’s Grill, Dos Perros Restaurant, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, EcoSelect Furniture, Elliot Realty, Fleetwood Fixtures, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Flowers by Paulette, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Grimball Jewelers, Henderson Area Arts Alliance, Hughes Pittman and Gupton, LLP, Horry Telephone Cooperative, Humanitys Loom LLC, Loco For Coco, Lube Stop, Mother Murphys Laboratories, My Green Table, Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation, PlotWatt, Point to Point, R.W. Sauder, Revealed Design, Rockfish Interactive, Shirley’s Flowers and Gifts, Triangle Community Foundation, Umstead Hotel and Spa, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Yes Solar Solutions.

As many businesses are learning, true triple bottom line sustainability is not something that can be implemented within an organization in a few days, but for those businesses that have made the effort sustainability is a powerful marketing and branding tool that can help differentiate an organization in a competitive marketplace.  “We are thrilled to have met this important benchmark in our conservation efforts and we encourage all other hospitality providers, from Bed and Breakfasts to full service hotels to strive for Green Plus ^TM certification.  We look forward to mentoring other B&B’s on integrating green practices and technologies into their business,” declared Colin Crossman, proprietor of The King’s Daughters Inn.

One of the many business benefits of sustainability is a stronger, more vibrant community.  For organizations that have been working, not just in a community, but with that community are able to better withstand shifts in the marketplace.  ”[Green Plus ^TM Certification] is a testament to [Wohlsen Construction Company's] leadership, traditions, values and mission.  Since 1890, we have strived to maintain the highest level of performance in the construction industry,” said William J. Sutton II, project manager for Wohlsen.  ”We also have had to continue to reinvent our company and improve in all facets of our business.  Receiving this certification is an outstanding achievement and validation for our company and our employees.  In the area of environmental stewardship, we lead by example for our community, our clients and the generations to come,” stated Sutton.

A part of the Institute’s mission is to expand sustainability knowledge and through Green Plus ^TM employers now have a way of engaging their employees and encouraging them to take that information home at the end of the day.  ”Quality Staffing Specialist is committed to being a sustainable producer of services in all of its markets. I want to express my thanks to our dedicated staff for their hard work in making it possible to achieve this award of excellence,” said Phyllis Eller-Moffett, president of Quality Staffing Specialists.  ”Having gone through the certification process, everyone on the staff has become more aware of how little changes in their behavior have saved the company a great deal on our bottom line while giving them the satisfaction that creating new habits they can bring to the workplace and their homes.”

Every organization that completes the first step of the Green Plus ^TM program is also eligible for national recognition through the North American Sustainable Enterprise awards (NASE).  The Green Plus ^TM NASE Awards will take place Friday, June 18, 2010, from 7:45 to 9:45am EST, in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. In partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives,  the Institute for Sustainable Development will recognize organizations in a variety of categories for the example they have set in advancing triple bottom line sustainability, including Green Plus ^TM Sustainable Enterprise of the Year, Green Plus ^TM Sole Proprietor, Green Plus ^TM Non Profit of Year, Green Plus ^TM Small Business of the Year (from 5 to 50 employees), Green Plus ^TM Medium Sized Business of the Year (51 employees or larger), Green Plus ^TM People’s Choice award, Green Plus ^TM Champion, and the Green Plus ^TM Chamber of Commerce of the Year.  Tickets for the awards are now on sale at http://www.gogreenplus.org/2010/03/20/north-american-sustainable-enterprise-awards/.  For more information on the Green Plus ^TM Program or the North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards please contact Kirsten Hausman at khausman@gogreenplus.org or go to www.gogreenplus.org.

New Certified Green Plus ^TM Businesses

A Better Image Printing — Chapel Hill, NC (www.abetterimageprinting.com)

Owned by Diana and Steve Minta, A Better Image Printing is a full service printshop, providing customers with ‘more than ink on paper,’ but also binder, delivery, fulfillment, storage, and mailings.  Named by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber as the Sustainable Business of the Year for 2009, A Better Image Printing was also presented with the 2009 Progress Energy Business of the Year award to compliment their two Best Of and one Excellence award in the 2009 PICA awards (Printing Industry of the Carolinas).

A Better Image Printing is known in its community for its ardent support of community development efforts and community events.

Environmental Solutions Group — Greensboro, NC (www.esgtesting.com)

Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) is a firm based out of Greensboro, NC that specializes in residential and commercial environmental assessments and testing services.  Founded by current president, Craig Whittaker, ESG provides their clients with environmental building assessments, energy performance analysis, and third-party verifications for LEED, ENERGY STAR homes, Green Building, and Indoor Air Quality.

Voted 45^th among North Carolina’s Top 100 Small Businesses by Business Leader Magazine in 2009, ESG was also recognized as one of the top environmental firms in the Triad in 2006, 2007, and 2008 by the Triad Business Journal.

The King’s Daughters Inn – Durham, NC (www.thekingsdaughtersinn.com)

Whoever said green and luxury don’t do together hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting the King’s Daughters Inn B&B.  This boutique hotel, opened in April 2009, is run by Deanna and Colin Crossman and is located across the street from Duke’s East Campus near downtown Durham, NC.  The Crossmans purchased the historical property and spent the better part of two years renovating the building, which was originally built as a residence for a dormitory-style retirement home, into a luxury boutique bed & breakfast.

Though many said that renovating an historical property into an eco-boutique B&B was impossible, the Crossmans proved otherwise.  Among other measures, each room has its own total energy management system, they installed a gray water system to reduce indoor water usage, a 10,000 gallon rain water cistern for irrigation, used porous concrete in the parking lot, created a rain garden, installed low-flow fixtures in each bathroom, and LED lighting (light emiting diodes) where possible.

Quality Staffing – Cary, NC (www.quality-staffing.com)

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.

Wohlsen Construction Company – Lancaster, PA (www.wohlsenconstruction.com)

Founded in 1890, Wohlsen Construction Company offers a wide range of construction, design, build, and facilities services.  With full service offices in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, Wohlsen Construction customers are located throughout the Mid-Atlantic states and 75% of their clients are repeat customers which plainly shows their commitment to quality, safety, and service.

Wohlsen Construction also supports its local communities and encourages its employees to donate their time, serve on the boards of civic organizations, and make financial contributions through various methods such as the annual Holiday Gift Giving.

New Green Plus^TM Movers

• Allora Consulting, LLC – Chapel Hill, NC (www.alloraconsulting.com)
• AlphaGraphics Cary – Cary, NC (http://cary398.alphagraphics.com)
• Aramark at the R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center – Durham, NC (www.acc-rdthomasconferencecenter.com)
• Armadillo Books – Chapel Hill, NC (www.armadillobooks.net)
• Avista Resort – North Myrtle Beach, SC (http://avistaresort.com)
• ActionCOACH – Ben Quinn – Chapel Hill, NC (www.actioncoach.com/benquinn)
• Carpe Diem Cleaning – Durham, NC (www.carpediemcleaning.com)
• Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce – Columbus, IN (www.columbusareachamber.com)
• Communication Matters – Hillsborough, NC (www.cmatters.org)
• Council of Smaller Enterprises – Cleveland, OH (www.cose.org)
• Damon’s Grill – North Myrtle Beach, SC (http://ribsribsribs.com)
• Dos Perros Restaurant – Durham, NC (http://dosperrosrestaurant.com)
• Downtown Raleigh Alliance – Raleigh, NC (www.godowntownraleigh.com)
• EcoSelect Furniture – Greensboro, NC (http://ecoselectfurniture.com)
• Elliot Realty – North Myrtle Beach, NC (http://elliottrealty.com)
• Fleetwood Fixtures – Leesport, PA (www.fleetwoodfixtures.com/)
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Tallahassee, FL (www.ficpa.org)
• Flowers by Paulette – Lancaster, PA (www.flowersbypaulette.com)
• Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce – Durham, NC (www.durhamchamber.org)
• Greensboro Chamber of Commerce – Greensboro, NC (www.greensboro.org)
• Grimball Jewelers – Chapel Hill, NC (www.grimballjewelers.com)
• Henderson Area Arts Alliance – Henderson, KY (www.haaa.org)
• Hughes Pittman and Gupton, LLP – Raleigh, NC (www.hpg.com)
• Horry Telephone Cooperative – Conway, SC (www.htcinc.net)
• Humanitys Loom LLC – Westlake, OH (www.humanitysloom.com)
• Loco For Coco – Greensboro, NC (http://locoforcocochocolate.com)
• Lube Stop – Berea, OH (www.lubestop.com)
• Mother Murphys Laboratories – Greensboro, NC (www.mothermurphys.com)
• My Green Table – Durham, NC (www.mygreentable.com)
• Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation – Hillsborough, NC (www.pemc.org)
• PlotWatt – Durham, NC (http://blog.plotwatt.com)
• Point to Point – Beechwood, OH (www.pointtopoint.com)
• R.W. Sauder – Lititz, PA (www.saudereggs.com)
• Revealed Design – Raleigh, NC (www.revealeddesign.com)
• Rockfish Interactive – Rogers, AR (www.rockfishinteractive.com)
• Shirley’s Flowers and Gifts – Rogers, AR (www.shirleysflowersinc.com)
• Triangle Community Foundation – Durham, NC (www.trianglecf.org)
• Umstead Hotel and Spa – Cary, NC (www.theumstead.com)
• Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants – Bellevue, WA (www.wscoa.org)
• Yes Solar Solutions – Cary, NC (www.yessolarsolutions.com)

Partnership To Make Green Plus™ Available to 1.2 million U.S. & Canadian Businesses

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announced today that it will partner with the North Carolina Research Triangle based Institute for Sustainable Development to offer Green Plus™, a program to help small businesses succeed while becoming stronger stewards of the environment and their communities.

Businesses participating in Green Plus™ are evaluated on their business, environmental and community engagement practices, receive university-based coaching, access to a national business network, and may be Certified Green Plus™ upon achieving high scores across three categories. Green Plus™ certification is not industry or product specific, but instead is a recognition program that works across sectors for small businesses in any industry.

“Small and medium sized businesses are critical employers and engines of new job creation – and often have the fewest resources to pursue sustainability. Today, they are under more pressure to demonstrate positive stewardship of their environment and communities,” said ACCE President Mick Fleming. “Green Plus™ will help America’s chambers of commerce lead on these issues and give their members a competitive edge in changing times,” Fleming concluded.

The partnership will make Green Plus™ widely accessible to the 1.2 million businesses represented by the ACCE’s chamber of commerce members, building the brand value of Green Plus™ certification for smaller enterprises and creating a stronger network through which participating businesses can develop leads and share expertise with one another.

ACCE and its foundation will be the key marketing channel for Green Plus™ nationwide, and will engage its chamber executive members in ongoing improvement and expansion of the program. Green Plus™ will be ACCE’s lead sustainability training, networking and certification program for small and medium sized enterprises. Through Green Plus™, the Institute for Sustainable Development will work with its chamber and university partners to prepare small enterprises for new trends in business, the environment and corporate social responsibility.

“Retail customers and large private and public sector purchasers are increasing requiring smaller enterprises to be conscious of their environmental impact and community engagement,” said Chris Carmody, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development. “As these kinds of standards become the norm, American small business will need affordable assistance in meeting them,” Carmody concluded.

Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada.ACCE has 1,250 chamber of commerce members. The mission of ACCE is to support and develop chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities.

The Institute for Sustainable Development is a non-profit partnership of higher education, business and philanthropic leadership. The Institute’s mission is to combine university expertise with business leadership to assist small and medium sized enterprises in meeting sustainability challenges. Institute partners comprise the Duke University’s Center for International and its Nicholas School of the Environment; University of North Carolina’s Center for Global Initiatives and its School of Social Work; the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Greater Durham Chambers of Commerce; and business and philanthropic leaders GlaxoSmithKline, Lenovo, and the Fenwick Foundation. Currently, the Institute has Green Plus™ partnerships with the Cary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Greater Durham, Morrisville and Greater Raleigh Chambers of Commerce and with the Lancaster (PA) Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2007, Tony Waldrop, Vice Chancellor of Research and Economic Development at UNC Chapel Hill, commissioned the development of a business plan to assist small and medium sized businesses nationwide in becoming more sustainable. After the plan was developed by the Center for Sustainable Enterprise at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business, the Institute worked with chambers of commerce and smaller enterprises in the Midwest and southeast to beta test the Green Plus™ tool and build a university and peer-training network.

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