Floraline Display, a Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturing company, joins over 60 businesses and organizations across the United States that have earned full Green Plus certification.

A family-owned and operated business for more than 20 years, Floraline Display manufactures commercial floral display fixtures and custom cabinetry.  Floraline began the Green Plus certification process in August, 2010. The company has embraced sustainability by using technology as a platform for sustainable improvements, such as auto-programmed thermostats and motion-censored lighting.

Part of Floraline’s innovative sustainability practices stem from the innovation it puts into its products, such as state of the art pre-manufacturing imaging models, which allows designers to create digital images of displays prior to manufacturing, cutting down on its production waste and eliminating the unnecessary purchase of materials.   As a result, Floraline has achieved zero waste for all its new manufactured products for the past six months.

Floraline Display received a 95 percent overall score from Green Plus, and is dedicated to continually improving its sustainability initiatives.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus

www.gogreenplus.org

Excel Moving & Storage, a warehousing and transportation company in Raleigh, North Carolina, has joined the 60 business and organizations across the country that have officially become Green Plus Certified.

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.

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 resources use by purchasing energy efficient appliances, 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 incentives for employees to 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.  It has also been recognized by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and others for helping the region grow and succeed.

For more about HPG’s sustainability practices in their own words, click here.

The Institute;s Green Plus ^TM program recognizes smaller enterprises’ dedication to triple bottom line sustainability by measuring their business, environmental and community practices. Green Plus ^TM Certification is the Institute for Sustainable Development’s highest level of recognition.

“We are proud to be working with smaller enterprises nationwide that are dedicated to triple bottom line sustainability,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.  ”These organizations are pushing the boundaries of small business sustainability in their respective communities and are realizing positive economic and employee change through their efforts,” Carmody concluded.

“During the last several years, we’ve formalized, expanded, and championed our approach to sustainability,” said Matthew Twomey, President and CEO of High Construction Company and COO of Greenfield Architects.  ”As our teams at High Construction Company and Greenfield Architects Ltd. went through the Green Plus Certification process, we found it informative and inspiring,” concluded Twomey,

Organizations that have completed the first step in the Green Plus ^TM program are also recognized and earn the designation Green Plus ^TM Mover.  Those organizations include: Bull City Forward, Crafton Tull Sparks, Denver Truck Painting, Four Seasons Produce, Graystone Properties, HRW, Inc, Linda McCoy Cromartie with the Chapel Hill Realty Group, Midland Concrete & Sand Transportation, Paulsen, Megaard & Co, Pharmaceutical Calibrations and Instrumentation, LLC (PCI), South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces (SEEDS), Shoeboxed.com, The Scrap Exchange, and Universal Printing.

New Green Plus^TM Certified Organizations

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Columbus, IN (http://www.columbusareachamber.com/)

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce in Columbus, Indiana is a member driven organization working to grow the region’s economic cluster through a “pocket of greatness.”  With the goals of fostering innovation and helping companies to better leverage enabling technologies, the chamber continues to strive toward achieving their mission of excellence and economic growth.

“The Green Plus certification Process was an interesting opportunity for us to evaluate the Chamber’s policies and procedures that can have positive effect for our employees, our Members, and the environment,” said Valerie Chowning, membership director of the Chamber.  ”One of the most significant outcomes for us is that we have leveraged our position in the business community to promote green efforts and community resources at our events to encourage positive changes that can affect the environment,” concluded Chowning.

The chamber has chosen to lead by example through their efforts to adopt a more environmentally sustainable method of doing business. They are investing in a large scale remodeling to switch to energy efficient appliances and to install Dirtt office systems, which improve lighting and reduces waste. As a leader in the Columbus business community they have made it their responsibility to increase environmental awareness. Their hope is to utilize the Green Plus certification to stimulate their members in focusing on more sustainable efforts.

Global Electric Electronic Processing

Research Triangle Park, NC (http://www.geepglobal.com)

GEEP is a Canadian company focused on reverse supply chain solutions for telecom and IT products. It earned Green Plus Certification for its Research Triangle Park location in North Carolina.  GEEP has taken a leadership position in the recycling of IT products through state-of-the-art facilities and innovative equipment.  Their mission, “zero landfill objective,” is to work with clients to recycle end of life inventory in an environmentally safe way. They are certified and registered to ISO 9001:2008 (quality) and 14001:2004 (environmental) standards.

“At GEEP, we take great pride in protecting the environment by recycling electronics in the most responsible manner, and the Green Plus Certification is more evidence of our commitment.  We relentlessly look for ways to improve, and [the] diagnostic tool gave us some very good ideas which we are putting into action,” said Dan Roe, business development executive at GEEP.  ”GEEP recognizes the need for people to make smart choices now, to safeguard a brighter future for all of us, and we are proud to be associated with an organization like the Institute for Sustainable Development,” concluded Roe.

Sustainability is part of GEEP’s core mission and they are constantly developing ways to improve this aspect of their business.  Through their work they are able to demonstrate that recovering materials from recycled scraps is more efficient than mining ore often necessary for many IT parts. Not only has GEEP demonstrated a commitment to the environment, but they have also been actively involved in their community through participation in food drives and computer giveaways to schools.   GEEP has shown a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and continues to emphasize it through their everyday work.

High Construction and Greenfield Architects

Lancaster, PA (http://www.highconstruction.com/ and http://www.greenfieldarchitects.net/)

High Construction located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania provides commercial construction and design-related services in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey.  As a design-builder, general contractor, and construction manager, they build facilities that create solutions for businesses.  High Construction is focusing on building trustworthy relationships and being innovative leaders.

“Since the High companies’ inception nearly 80 years ago, our organization has embraced a number of the guiding business principles that include 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 Matthew Twomey, President and CEO of High Construction Company and COO of Greenfield Architects.  ”As we continue to chart our company’s course towards incorporating more sustainable products, processes and services, we look forward to continuing to help our customers accomplish their own similar goals through the green-related facilities, services, and expertise we provide,” concluded Twomey.

High Construction has implemented energy use reduction efforts and invested in water use reduction methods. These efforts have included lighting and occupancy timers, CFLs, low power modes of electronics, and reduced flow faucets.  Not only are they making physical changes to their workspace, but they are also promoting employee education of sustainability issues. They are planning an energy conservation week in January 2011 to further promote behavior changes and regularly disseminate information about a wide variety of sustainability topics.

Pantek, Inc.

Independence, OH (http://www.pantek.com/)

Founded in 1995 in northeast Ohio, Pantek, provides comprehensive IT services to companies who utilize Open Source technologies. Their many years of IT industry experience allow them to offer a competitive advantage in technology to their clients.

“Going through Green Plus certification really opened our eyes to sustainability issues and to the environmental cost of doing business. Now that we know, we’re taking the necessary steps to minimize that cost – because it’s the right thing to do,” concluded Barry Zack, president of Pantek.

Since moving to a new building in 1998, Pantek has shown a strong commitment toward sustainability and improving their green practices.  In choosing a location for their new offices, a major criterion was available natural light; all offices and cubicles have sources of sunlight. Notably, in order to reduce environmental strain from commuting, Pantek, has also developed a program in which employees who demonstrate excellence in their work, may work from home 1-2 days a week.  As an IT company, computers are essential to Pantek’s business; to fill this need they utilize power efficient computers with rated energy saving power supplies. They are also planning to employ more efficient computer servers.

New Green Plus^TM Movers

• Bull City Forward – Durham, NC (http://www.bullcityforward.org)
• Crafton Tull Sparks – Rogers, AR (http://www.craftontullsparks.com)
• Denver Truck Painting – Denver, PA (http://www.denvertruckpainting.com)
• Four Seasons Produce – Ephrata, PA (http://www.fsproduce.com)
• Graystone Properties – Cleveland, OH (http://www.graystoneproperties.com)
• HRW, Inc. – Raleigh, NC (http://www.hrw.net)
• Linda McCoy Cromartie with the Chapel Hill Realty Group – Chapel Hill, NC (http://www.tarheellinda.com/)
• Midland Concrete & Sand Transportation (http://www.gogreenplus.org/author/midland-concrete-and-sand-transportation-inc)
• Paulsen, Megaard & Co – Bothell, WA (http://www.paulsenmegaard.com)
• Pharmaceutical Calibrations and Instrumentation, LLC (PCI) – Raleigh, NC (http://www.pci-llc.com)
• South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces (SEEDS) – Durham, NC (http://www.seedsnc.org)
• Shoeboxed.com – Durham, NC (http://www.shoeboxed.com)
• The Scrap Exchange – Durham, NC (http://www.scrapexchange.org)
• Universal Printing – Durham, NC (http://www.universalprinting.com/)

The Institute for Sustainable Development is proud to announce the two newest Green Plus Certified businesses: The Irregardless Café & Catering, Raleigh, NC and Yes! Solar Solutions of the Triangle, Cary, NC.  Both businesses are members of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and were announced at the Chamber’s Green Plus Recognition luncheon at the Irregardless Cafe on Monday, September 20.  They have both been participating in the Green Plus program since the beginning of the year and each is an example of a truly triple bottom line approach to sustainability.  ”Having a business that promotes alternative energy and a sustainable lifestyle, we wanted to make sure we walked the walk as well as talked the talk,” said Kathleen Miller of Yes! Solar Solutions. “A day will come when it will not be a choice whether or not to practice sustainable business, and the Green Plus process was an easy, affordable and thought- provoking road map on how to become one.”

The Raleigh Chamber’s Recognition Luncheon was widely attended and drew a diverse group of business owners there to hear keynote speaker Jim Fryling of The Redwoods Group and recognize small businesses who are dedicated to sustainability and going through the Green Plus program.  Among those recognized were Certified Green Plus Businesses: Hughes, Pittman & Gupton, Triangle Community Foundation, and the Umstead Hotel and Spa.  The following Green Plus Movers were also recognized for their progress through the program: Accentuate Staffing, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, iContact, Raleigh Radon, Revealed Design, and Springleaf Strategies.

“The Green Plus certification process generated unexpected benefits for us,” said Anya Gordon of the Irregardless Cafe & Catering.  ”Despite the fact that the Irregardless Cafe has been dedicated to local, sustainable practice since it was founded 35 years ago, the certification process challenged us to formalize our strategic planning process . . . [and examine] all aspects of the business through the ‘sustainability’ lens, from the Cafe’s landscaping to the building’s roof – expanding our view beyond the restaurant’s menu and the recycling of waste. “

The luncheon’s keynote, Jim Fryling of The Redwoods Group, spoke about sustainability and what his organization sees as his obligations to the communities they serve.  The Redwoods Group is a privately held, socially responsible, commercial specialty insurance provider based in Morrisville, NC.  The Redwoods Group is also Green Plus Certified — click here to read a profile on the Redwoods Group.

About Irregardless Cafe & Catering, Raleigh, NC (http://www.irregardless.com)

The Irregardless Café and Catering is a Raleigh institution.  The longest family-owned restaurant in the community, it was also the first vegetarian restaurant in the Triangle.  It is a superb example of triple bottom line sustainability and its owners, Anya and Arthur Gordon, are dedicated to supporting their community through their business.  The Café regularly hosts local musicians and artists as well as science discussions.

Local food is a priority at the Irregardless Café, but their dedication to their employees is unparalleled.  For example in 1994 the restaurant was victim of a fire and underwent nine months of renovation and restoration.  During that time, full time employees were kept on in exchange for volunteering with local nonprofits.

About Yes! Solar Solutions of the Triangle, Cary, NC (http://www.yessolarsolutionsnc.com)

Yes! Solar Solutions of Cary provides turnkey clean energy solutions for businesses and residential homes alike. Owners, Steve and Kathleen Miller, are long time residents of the Triangle and opened the only North Carolina branch of Yes! Solar Solutions in order to meet the growing clean energy needs of the community.

Dedicated to raising awareness around clean energy and helping people realize a solution, the team at Yes! Solar Solutions participates in community activities, hosts informational events, and works with businesses and home owners alike to take advantage of the incentives around making the change to solar energy.  Yes! Solar Solutions was also the inaugural partner of the Green Plus Partner Discounts – a program which provides discounts and incentives to Green Plus businesses from other businesses in the network.