Much of this growth was due to the generosity of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Duke Energy, and the Park Foundation, who provided funding for scholarships to businesses around North Carolina.  

With these new additions, Green Plus now has over 300 businesses and organizations in its network, 65 of which have earned Certification.  The Institute is delighted to have so many dedicated and enthusiastic new members as part of its network of businesses.  A list of the organizations to earn Certification and Mover status can be found below.

New Green Plus Certified Certified Organizations

• Springleaf Strategies (Raleigh, NC) – A committed member of the Green Plus program since the program’s beginning, Springleaf Strategies provides consulting service that will allow businesses to properly market their sustainability efforts.  Springleaf Strategies recently moved into a LEED Gold Certified building in downtown Raleigh.
• Triangle Ecycling (Durham, NC) – Run by sole proprietor Larry Herst, Triangle Ecycling works with local businesses to collect and recycle electronics and batteries.
• Terra Nova Global Properties (Carrboro, NC) – Terra Nova is a real estate company that specializes in properties that are built with sustainability in mind.  In the two years Terra Nova has been part of the Green Plus program, it has worked hard to implement new practices, which has contributed to the organization earning Certification
• Pam Herndon State Farm Insurance (Chapel Hill, NC) – Pam Herndon’s State Farm insurance office is the first State Farm office to become Green Plus Certified.  The office also recently moved into a new facility that allowed for it to install energy efficient appliances, lighting, and utilize the outside space more sustainably

New Green Plus Movers

• Harrington Bank (Chapel Hill, NC) – Harrington Bank is the first bank in North Carolina to join the Green Plus program.  The bank’s Green Team has been instrumental in organizing and managing new sustainability practices that have been put in place in all of Harrington’s branches.
• Keller Williams Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) – Keller Williams of Chapel Hill is the first Keller Williams branch to become part of the Green Plus program.  Keller Williams has been very enthusiastic about its participation in Green Plus, and has set ambitious goals for itself as it moves through the program. 
• Company Shops Market (Burlington, NC) – A food co-op based in Burlington, Company Shops joined the Green Plus program through a partnership with a business leadership class at Elon University.  The class is assisting Company Shops in improving its triple bottom line sustainability.
• Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (Winston-Salem, NC) – Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is a philanthropic organization that has assisted Green Plus in the past in its program development.  The foundation focuses on supporting communities improve its social and economic development.
• Vann and Sheridan Attorneys at Law (Raleigh, NC) – Active in the Raleigh community, Vann & Sheridan Attorneys at Law hopes that in addition to business improvement, encouraging sustainability through its business practices and around the office can motivate its employees to bring green practices home. 
• Coastal Plain Conservation Nursery (Edenton, NC) – Coastal Plain Conservation Nursery grows native plants for use in landscaping and retention areas.  Each of its greenhouse facilities are specially designed to maintain optimal conditions for the types of plants they house, ensuring that when plants are used in landscaping, they are already healthy and can quickly adapt to weather conditions. 
• Carolina National Insurance Agency (Chapel Hill, NC) – As one of the recipients of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce scholarships, Carolina National Insurance Agency is a small organization that is dedicated to making its daily practices sustainable, particularly making its office environment as paperless as possible. 
• Dispute Settlement Center (Carrboro, NC) – A nonprofit specializing in mediation and conflict resolution, the Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County works to make a positive social impact throughout its community, and hopes that the Green Plus program can help it reach a broader audience.
• Roving Coach (Clayton, NC) – Roving Coach is a personalized business coaching service that works with organizations to improve employee engagement and “world peace in the workplace.”  Roving Coach has been very enthusiastic and motivated about its involvement in the Green Plus program. 
• Generations Community Credit Union (Durham, NC) – Generations Community Credit Union has branches located all throughout North Carolina, but focuses on improving the economic development and financial stability particularly in under-served communities.  
• Albemarle Home Energy Audits (Hertford, NC) – Albemarle Home Energy Audits is a recipient of a Green Plus Scholarship made possible by the Park Foundation.  The business promotes and encourages energy efficiency in all of its projects, and owner Ron Koppel gives presentations on potential home energy savings to local groups and organizations.
• Top of the Hill Distillery (Chapel Hill, NC) – Part of the famous Top of the Hill Brewery in downtown Chapel Hill, the distillery will continue the brewery’s commitment to using local and natural ingredients to distill high quality sprits.
• Red Dot Construction (Pittsboro, NC) – Owned by sole proprietor Britt Keele, Red Dot Construction works with architects in the planning process of construction to ensure the most efficient use of building materials, resulting in less construction waste and saving money on materials.
• Whole Foods Market – Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) – The first Whole Foods Market in the country to join the Green Plus program, the Chapel Hill store is already committed to providing healthy, organic, and local products to the community, and hopes to be the first Whole Foods to earn Green Plus Certification.
• Fifth Season Design (Carrboro, NC) – Fifth Season Design is an interior plantscaping service that designs building interiors with potted plants and flowers.  The company is committed to the reduction of greenhouse gases, energy use, and post-consumer waste, and supports growers and suppliers who hold the same values and practices.  
• Wilmington Chamber of Commerce (Wilmington, NC) – The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is the latest Chamber to become a Green Plus Partner, and has shown great interest in setting an example to all businesses in Wilmington by becoming a leader of sustainability in North Carolina.
• North Carolina High School Athletic Association (Chapel Hill, NC) – the NCHSAA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging success in student athletes in high schools across North Carolina, through scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org

Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation of Hillsborough, North Carolina, is the first Green Plus organization to become re-certified in the Green Plus program. Piedmont EMC originally earned Certification in 2010. Piedmont EMC is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative based in Hillsborough — a nonprofit electric utility serving 32,000 consumers in parts of Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties.

Green Plus Certification lasts for two years, and when Piedmont’s Certification was set to expire at the beginning of 2012, the organization was proactive in ensuring it would continue to be a leader among Green Plus businesses and retain its Certified status.  

“Sustainability is important to Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation because of the important role sustainability plays in our goal to empower our 30,000 plus members on making wise energy decisions,” said R.G. Brecheisen, the President and CEO of Piedmont EMC.  ”The Green Plus program has provided us with an important tool that reports the initiatives and programs we implement concerning energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable resources both with our members, community and employees.”

The company resubmitted a detailed assessment of its sustainability initiatives, many of which had improved greatly since its last submission two years ago.  Those initiatives include:

• Recycling or reusing all materials, including scrap metal and electronics
• Partnerships with several community organizations
• Investing in energy efficient equipment
• Purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset carbon usage

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus 

www.gogreenplus.org

CBI Technologies, a perimeter mosquito and pest control company based on the coastal plains of North Carolina in Lumberton has become the latest organization to earn Green Plus Certification.

Harry Carter, the owner and founder of CBI, is very active in his community’s Adopt-a-Highway program and with local animal shelters, and has a personal philosophy that as a perimeter pest control businesses, he is held accountable for operating his business in a manner that is safe for the environment and healthy for the community.  Carter uses EPA-approved pest control measures that do not harm animals, plants, and the surrounding environment, and makes sure to invest the time and effort to research new technologies and equipment that will not only make his own business successful, but will also ensure the health and safety of the surrounding environment. 

Carter uses pest-control strategies that are nontoxic except to the targeted pest and ultra-low volume sprayers to ensure no unnecessary treatments are wasted.  In addition, Carter employs the use of integrated pest management (IPM), which is a pest control strategy that focuses on preventative measures to avoid pest infestations rather than relying solely on chemical treatments.  Through his responsible and sustainable strategies, Carter has become licensed to practice his business all throughout North Carolina, as well as in South Carolina and Georgia.  

CBI Technologies joined Green Plus through the North Carolina Rural Center, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the economic wellbeing of the 85 counties in North Carolina whose primary economy is agriculture.  

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org

Green Plus's Amanda Komar (third from left) and Chris Carmody (fourth from right) present the Museum Green Team with a certificate designating them Green Plus Certified.

The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science has earned Green Plus Certification, becoming the first museum in the country to earn the distinction.  

The Museum is located on 84 acres of land in Durham, North Carolina that includes an interactive science park, a butterfly conservatory, enclosed sanctuaries for the Museum’s resident black bears and red wolves, as well as other outdoor learning exhibits.  Sustainability is woven into each of these exhibits through

• Natural landscaping
• Native plantings
• A partial green roof
• Solar hot-water heaters
• Rainwater collector cisterns
• Extensive composting
• Minimal materials used in exhibit displays
• And an energy monitoring system that allows Museum staff to automatically manage the energy use in any exhibit from one central location. 

The Museum Green Team – a passionate group of Museum staff members – is responsible for creating and implementing these sustainable initiatives. 

“The Green Team is really an enthusiastic group of people who are very committed to making a good infrastructure at the Museum,” comments Janet Hoshour, Director of Membership and a member of the Green Team.  “For most of the people who showed up on the Green Team, [sustainability] was already part of their personal life and personal commitment.”

The Museum had more than 446,000 visitors in 2011, creating the potential to educate a huge number of people about the importance of sustainability.  As a publicly owned institution, being open and transparent about presenting its sustainability efforts is very important to the Museum, and now that it is Green Plus Certified, educating the public on sustainability is one tactic the Museum is excited about pursuing.  Green Plus is proud to have the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science join its ranks of Certified organizations, and hopes that other museums around the country will be inspired to pursue greater sustainability in their organizations, as well.

Assembled Products Corporation, a manufacturing company based in Rogers, Arkansas, joined the growing list of businesses and organizations to become Certified Green Plus.

APC, which scored over 90% on the Green Plus Certification Survey, manufactures products that are sold to Fortune 100 Retailers, who, much like the Green Plus program, assess their suppliers on their environmental initiatives and goals.

APC’s dedication to sustainability is evident in the work and commitment of its Environmental Sustainability Committee.  Formed in 2008, the APC Committee is responsible for formulating and executing the company’s sustainability policies.  APC says, “the Committee searches for corporate practices that can make APC more environmentally friendly.   [It seeks] real solutions for real environmental challenges that face us both in our sourcing, in our day to day operations, and in the life cycle of the products we produce.” 

The Committee is also responsible for communicating, educating and involving APC’s staff in its sustainability efforts, which they do through periodic newsletters called The Eco Update and through signage in high-traffic areas, like break rooms and near printers/copiers.  The newsletter and signage updates employees on new environmental policies being implemented at APC, and also provides green tips and resources that employees can practice at home.  The Committee meets monthly and comprises members from several different departments. 

Founded in 1983, APC manufactures products that make life easier for and more efficient for everyone.  With 150 employees and four facilities, APC ensures that every aspect of its business is sustainable, from the energy-efficient manufacturing process all the way down to the water-saving faucets in the restrooms.  APC knows that sustainability is important to the people who buy its products, and prides itself on its sustainability efforts and employee engagement programs.  APC is one of seven business in the Green Plus program that hails from Rogers, Arkansas, and is the second Arkansas business and the 60th company in the United States to earn full Green Plus Certified status.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org

The Institute for Sustainable Development announced that six organizations in four states earned Green Plus Certification in the third quarter of 2011. The most recent businesses to achieve full Green Plus Certification are:

• Celito (Raleigh, NC)
• Chartreuse (Lakewood, OH)
• Fleetwood Fixtures (Leesport, PA)
• Four Seasons Produce (Ephrata, PA)
• National Council on Compensation Insurance (Boca Raton, FL)
• Ocean Grown (Clearwater, FL)

“In a sustainable economy, ‘green jobs’ don’t only come from clean energy or energy efficiency businesses — they’re created by Main Street businesses becoming more competitive through sustainable practices,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.

Created by the North Carolina Research Triangle-based Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus is a road map for smaller enterprises looking to save money, make new connections and build their brand as they become better environmental and community stewards. Businesses in 18 states have undergone the rigorous Green Plus diagnostic process and more than 55 have attained the highest level of recognition within the program, Green Plus Certification. 

Learn more about each newly Certified Green Plus organization below.

Celito

Celito is the first internet-service provider and computer consulting company in North Carolina and second in the country to achieve Green Plus Certification.  Part of the Triangle business community for more than 10 years, Celito works with businesses large and small, for profit and non-profit, to help them stay better connected with their clients and employees through a wide variety of services.

Celito’s commitment to sustainability is deeply ingrained.  The company’s equipment and appliances have all been replaced with energy efficient models, and its offices rely mainly on natural light for daily operations. Celito also purchased a fuel-efficient company vehicle and participates in opportunities to raise awareness around sustainability in the Triangle community.

Chartreuse

Chartreuse is a boutique design firm in Lakewood, Ohio.  A small but mighty group headed by Charity D’Amato, Chartreuse was started almost 10 years ago.  Besides encouraging biking to work, using energy efficient lighting, and recycling all possible materials, Chartreuse took advantage of the Council of Smaller Enterprise’s sustainability programs and qualified for an energy efficiency grant which allowed the team to make more significant improvements to their space.

Chartreuse also gives back to the community through many different avenues.  The team is an avid supporter of the “We Run This City” program sponsored by the Lakewood YMCA as well as a host of other non-profits in the area.  Chartreuse also recognizes the importance of supporting the arts community and hosts annual “Art in the Parc” events to feature local artists in their very own Petit Parc.“[Green Plus Certification] is not something that ends our ‘adventure to be more green’ but rather acts as a starting point in the journey to make this world a better place to live and work in…we are “green” with excitement!” said Charity D’Amato, founder of Chartreuse.

Fleetwood Fixtures

Fleetwood Fixtures is an employee-owned manufacturer of store fixtures and furnishings in Leesport, PA.  A member of the community for more than 40 years, Fleetwood started a sustainability committee after customers began inquiring as to the company’s sustainability policies more than two years ago. 

“Other companies focus on the environment when they strive to be green,” Doug Oswald, information systems and facilities manager, said. “We focus on the triple bottom line: people, planet and performance.”

Fleetwood Fixtures went above and beyond to earn Green Plus Certification.  They upgraded the shop’s lighting with new energy efficient fixtures and continually educate customers and employees about sustainable materials through a display in their facility. Fleetwood Fixtures also created a store, staffed by volunteer employees two Saturdays a month, where the public can purchase their extra inventory at significant discounts.  Not only does this provide an extra source of revenue, but it also keeps what would have been waste out of the landfill.  They also started a program called Sweat Green to encourage company-wide exercise during lunch or after work, as well as creating the space for employees to learn about and discuss sustainability issues during weekly meetings.

Four Seasons Produce

Four Seasons Produce, in Ephrata, PA, is one of the largest produce wholesalers in the country and the first to be Green Plus Certified.  In business since 1976, Four Seasons is active in the local sustainable agriculture movement and started working on its current sustainability initiatives five years ago.  Since then it has reduced overall electricity consumption by 25%, diverted 88% of its waste through recycling (as of 2009), and eliminated 1.2 million fleet miles (in 2007-09) through routing and delivery improvements.

“[Since starting the program over a year ago] the Green Plus’ Diagnostic Survey opened new avenues towards our sustainability efforts,” said Randy Groff, director of facilities and energy.  “The survey provided focus on the energy and sustainability areas for improvement but also highlighted our areas of strengths.   We will continue to use the results as a tool for our future initiatives,” he continued.

National Council on Compensation Insurance

National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is the largest provider of workers compensation and employee injury data and statistics in the nation.  In the last three years, NCCI has upgraded lighting by installing motion detectors and LEDs, reduced the amount of waste it sends to the landfill, and upgraded the equipment that cools its data center, a move which has single-handedly saves the company $125,000 a year. 

“Internally, we have known about and seen the many sustainable practices NCCI has put in place, so it’s nice when an outside expert organization recognizes those efforts,” said Joanne Barbour, division executive—IT Infrastructure. “Over time, our commitment makes a difference not only on the company’s bottom line, but in our daily lives and in the environment we leave for future generations.”

Ocean Grown

Ocean Grown, in Clearwater, FL, is a company that makes OceanSolution, a non-toxic “mineralizer” made from ocean water that can be used in place of fertilizer for farmers, landscapers, and gardeners.  Wanting to make their organization as sustainable as their products, Ocean Grown started working with Green Plus in February and is only the third company in Florida to earn the Green Plus Certification.

In 2008, Ocean Grown received the Sustainable Business Award from the Earth Initiative Institute, and it works with local nonprofits and charities like the Miami Metro Zoo and St Jude’s Children’s Hospital to increase awareness of sustainable agricultural solutions.

• Ad Spice Promotional Marketing (Durham, NC)
• AlphaGraphics Cary (Cary, NC)
• Counter Culture Coffee (Durham, NC)
• High Associates (Lancaster, PA)
• North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce (North Myrtle Beach, SC)
• Tremont Electric (Cleveland, OH)
• William H Bunch CPA (Chapel Hill, NC)

“Green Plus™ is about making smart business decisions with an eye toward supporting your community, employees, and local environment,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.

Created by the NC Research Triangle-based Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus is business improvement program that provides a roadmap on triple bottom line sustainability issues for smaller enterprises across the United States. Businesses in North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as the first chamber of commerce in South Carolina all underwent the rigorous Green Plus Certification process and attained the highest level of recognition within the Green Plus program. To date, 50 smaller enterprises out of a field of 250 participants have achieved full Certified Green Plus status.

New Green Plus Certified Organizations

Ad Spice

Ad Spice Promotional Marketing is based in Durham, NC and provides a full range of promotional products as well as screen printing and embroidery. Locally-minded and committed to sustainability, Suzanne Robinson started Ad Spice with these values in mind. Making their processes transparent to their customers, Ad Spice helps educate their clients about responsible options that they might not be aware of, like giving clients a quick tour of their organic cotton garden. Seeing the difference between how organic and traditional cotton are grown are one way their customers can choose from the best products to increase the value of their marketing efforts. Sourcing locally and using water-based inks are other ways Ad Spice shows its commitment to minimizing its impact and supporting the local community.

“Ad Spice Promotional Marketing is joining forces with other purpose-driven companies to demonstrate how businesses can positively impact our communities and our environment,” said Suzanne Robinson. “In an industry where most of our competitors are trying to sell more, more, more – we steer our clients in the direction of buying less and buying better,” said Robinson. “At the end of the day, our clients find that this approach brings their brand real value,” concluded Robinson.

Robinson said, “Our numbers this year speak for themselves: 1st Q 2010 to 2011 our sales for organic and sustainable product purchases are up over 900% because we’re teaching our clients about the value of these products and how to use them.” “Our Green Plus and B Corporation certifications let our clients know that we tell the truth and practice what we preach. In a world of green-washing, our highly credible certifications tell our clients they can trust us,” Robinson concluded.

For more information go to www.adspicepromo.com.

AlphaGraphics Cary

AlphaGraphics Cary is a locally owned and operated printing and marketing services company in Cary, NC. Recognized as one of the leading locations worldwide, AlphaGraphics Cary also received local recognition their efforts to help fight hunger in Wake County. As a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified printer, AlphaGraphics Cary is able to meet their customers where they are and provides them with the sustainable services they require.

“The Green Plus program focused our ad hoc efforts into a strategic, cohesive plan,” said John White, Manager of AlphaGraphics Cary. “The resources, the practical support and potential networking opportunities will yield a tremendous return on our initial investment and efforts,” White continued. “In our role as a service provider to other area business, not only does the Green Plus Certification process compliment our current financial planning and sustainability initiatives, but it also provides a framework to help our customers with these same challenges,” said White.

For more information go to www.cary398.alphagraphics.com.

Counter Culture Coffee

Counter Culture Coffee is a Durham, NC institution. Counter Culture’s dedication to creating a sustainable, fair trade coffee supply chain is readily apparent to anyone involved with the company. By creating and maintaining personal relationships with coffee farmers across the world, Counter Culture is able to multiply its impact and make sustainable livelihoods possible in places where opportunities can be hard to come by.

Counter Culture also created their own Sustainability Scorecard and sustainability goals (in the CUPS initiative – Coffee as an Unrelenting Pursuit of Sustainability), which allows it to holds itself to a higher standard and, in the spirit of transparency, invites their customers and clients to follow along on their journey of achieving carbon neutrality by 2015.

“A core value of our business, the drive toward real environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability, informs every decision we make,” said Brett Smith, President of Counter Culture Coffee. “We’re excited about the network, feedback channels, and other opportunities to improve the sustainability of our business afforded by our Green Plus certification,” Smith concluded.

For more information go to www.counterculturecoffee.com.

High Associates

High Associates, headquartered in Lancaster, PA, is a developer, broker, and manager of commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential properties. Striving to be a responsible steward of the environment and a leader in the community, High Associate’s team of LEED-accredited and Green Space program-certified professionals are setting a new standard for responsible environmental management and were recognized by PPL Electric Utilities on the Energy-Smart Business Honor Roll for significantly reducing energy usage in its facilities.

“High Associates has always maintained a high level of sensitivity to the environments in which we operate and been guided by a smart-growth-driven approach to real estate development,” said Mark Fitzgerald, president and chief operating officer of High Associates. “Going through the Green Plus Certification process was invaluable as it helped us to expand our triple-bottom-line approach to sustainability that includes fostering a positive work environment, being responsible environmental stewards, and bettering our community for the generations to follow,” Fitzgerald said.

For more information go to www.highassociates.com.

North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce

The North Myrtle Beach Chamber is a leader around sustainability in the South Carolina business community. The first South Carolina chamber to offer the Green Plus program to its members, the North Myrtle Beach Chamber is also the first chamber in South Carolina to achieve Green Plus Certification itself. The chamber will be moving to a new location in the fall and in the process of updating the new location based on recommendations from a recent energy audit.

Leading the charge in renewable energy, particularly wind energy, the chamber spearheaded the creation of the North Strand Coastal Wind Team, not only to lead the community towards energy independence but with the long term goal of establishing North Myrtle Beach as an example to other cities. Other members of the team include the city government, the Savannah River National Laboratory, Coastal Carolina University’s Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Authority, and the South Carolina Energy Office.

“In January 2010, when we announced that our Chamber was the first business association in SC to offer the Green Plus certification program to our members, I stated that the focus of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce was on a sustainable economy for our city and region,” said Marc Jordan, President and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. Jordan continued, “At that time, we saw Green Plus as a visionary and valuable tool to assist our members in creating a sustainability plan for their business.” “Nothing has changed to lesson our commitment to this vision today, and by becoming Green Plus certified, we are holding ourselves up to our members as an example of how valuable this tool is in remaining focused on sustainable development,”Jordan concluded.

For more information go to www.northmyrtlebeachchamber.com.

Tremont Electric

Tremont Electric, a rapidly growing company in Cleveland, OH, is changing the way we generate renewable energy through an innovative technology called nPower™. Named “One of America’s Most Promising Start-ups” by Bloomberg Business week in 2009, Tremont Electric has since received numerous accolades for ingenuity as well as its leadership in sustainability.

“Sustainable business practices are becoming a new benchmark for early stage companies,” said Aaron LeMieux, foundation and CEO of Tremont Electric. “Attaining Green Plus Certification clearly demonstrates that Tremont Electric Inc. has mastered and committed itself to continuous improvement of sustainable business practices,” LeMieux continued. “We are very proud to have attained Green Plus Certification this early in our life cycle,” LeMieux concluded.

For more information go to www.npowerpeg.com.

William H Bunch, CPA

William H Bunch, CPA is the second CPA firm to be Green Plus Certified. A small but growing CPA firm in Chapel Hill, NC, William H Bunch is a great example of a business working to make their local community stronger and helps educate other businesses about what is achievable with regards to triple bottom line sustainability. A renovation in 2006 brought more in natural light, allowing employees to keep lights off unless needed and a new employee wellness plan has been implemented in the last 6 months allowing employees to access a National database of wellness programs, among other benefits.

For more information go to www.williamhbunchcpa.com.

You’ll also hear from Marc Pons, president of Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, and Libbie Hough, owner of Communication Matters, about how becoming more sustainable (and achieving Green Plus™ Certification!) helped them be more successful, grow their businesses, and better connect with their customers.

You’ll also learn how YOU can become a Green Plus™ member. Going green is good for your business and your community!  We hope to see you there.

The breakfast is free for Raleigh Chamber members and is $15 for non-members.

Registration is required — click here to register.

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.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina, is a finalist for Green Plus North American Sustainable Medium-Sized Business of 2011 and is also eligible to win the Green Plus People’s Choice Award.  The first Five Diamond hotel to be Green Plus Certified, the Umstead demonstrates that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand in a hotel that’s been named one of the top 500 in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine.

The Umstead grounds include a 3-acre pond and living wetland with riparian buffers and a walking trail pointing out environmental features.  The spa offers organic spa products and Herons Restaurant (a Four Diamond restaurant) sources local, seasonal food, including some sourced from its own garden.  Waste is reduced through recycling and composting, and water and energy use is reduced through features such as reflective roofing and low-flow water closets.   A key feature of the hotel and its support for the local community is its prominent use of North Carolina art.

The Umstead was also recently featured the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants national sustainability case competition.