The awards, presented by GlaxoSmithKline, bring together academic, business, and philanthropic leaders from around the country to recognize organizations in the following categories: Sustainable Enterprise, Sole Proprietor, Non-Profit, Small Business (5-50 employees), Medium Sized Business (+51 employees) — and the Green Plus™ People’s Choice award, decided by popular vote.

Winners will be announced Friday, June 18, 2010, at the North Carolina Research Triangle Park Headquarters.  The awards ceremony will be held in the Archie K. Davis Conference Center at the LEED Silver Certified Research Triangle Park headquarters. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. A light breakfast will be provided by Sage & Swift Catering of Durham, and the program will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m.

For more information about the NASE awards or to register for tickets, please visit www.gogreenplus.org/events.

Green Plus™ Sustainable Enterprise of the Year finalists, presented by The Research Triangle Park

• Cargas Systems (Lancaster, PA)
• Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau (Durham, NC)
• The King’s Daughters Inn (Durham, NC)
• Lube Stop (Berea, OH)
• Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (Hillsborough, NC)
• The Taylor Companies (Bedford, OH)

The Green Plus™ Medium-Sized Business of the Year finalists

• MG Capital Maintenance (Cary, NC)
• The Umstead Hotel and Spa (Cary, NC)
• Warfel Construction (Lancaster, PA)
• Wenger Feeds (Lancaster, PA)
• Wohlsen Construction (Lancaster, PA)

Presented by Wells Fargo, the Green Plus™ Small Business of the Year finalists

• Dos Perros Restaurant (Durham, NC)
• Environmental Solutions Group (Greensboro, NC)
• Irregardless Café & Catering (Raleigh, NC)
• Laser Plus (Lancaster, PA)
• Riley Life Industries (Durham, NC)

Green Plus™ Non-Profit of the Year finalists

• Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (Chapel Hill, NC)
• Downtown Raleigh Alliance (Raleigh, NC)
• Plymouth Church United Church of Christ (Shaker Heights, OH)
• The PTA Thrift Shop (Chapel Hill, NC)
• The Triangle Community Foundation (Durham, NC)

Green Plus™ Sole Proprietor of the Year finalists

• Benjamin Environmental Solutions Team (West Palm Beach, FL)
• Brick Street Botanical (Rogers, AR)
• Eco Select Furniture (Greensboro, NC)

For more information about the NASE awards or to register for tickets, please visit www.gogreenplus.org/events.

Descriptions of the award finalists

Sustainable Enterprise of the Year – Presented by The Research Triangle Park

Cargas Systems

Cargas is an information technology firm that implemented programs to ensure sustainability right from the start such as making Cargas an employee owned company and offering profit sharing to all employees.  In August of 2010, Cargas will move and is striving for LEED Silver Certification in its new building, which will include solar panels, passive solar, trombe walls, water source heat pumps and water-saving plumbing fixtures.  From offering flex time and telecommuting to a four-week paid sabbatical, Cargas has a unique culture which cultivates individual development.

Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCVB)

DCVB excels in their commitment to triple bottom line sustainability.  Among their positive environmental practices, DCVB has installed a 3,000 gallon cistern to use for landscape irrigation and a high-efficiency HVAC system with zone controls and load monitoring reduces energy usage.  Among the 120 awards and recognitions garnered, DCVB was honored with a Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility and ranked by CEO Update as one of the Top Places to Work in Nonprofits.

The King’s Daughters Inn

The King’s Daughters Inn strives to inspire their guests by showing them how seamlessly green technologies can be woven into everyday life.  The Inn was created by renovating a historic property into a modern, eco-boutique hotel.  This combination of old and new hosts an integrated energy management system for each room, a 10,000 gallon cistern and rain garden, and a pervious concrete parking lot, as well as educational tours for legislators, students, and the general public.

Lube Stop

Since 2006, Lube Stop has aggressively pursued more sustainable business practices, which have reduced expenses by hundreds of thousands of dollars, significantly reduced waste streams, and differentiated them in a mature, competitive market.  Some LSSP projects included converting common oils from expensive case packaging to bulk storage, using remanufactured toner cartridges, establishing a companywide energy use policy, and the 2008 launch of the EcoGuard™ Oil Change Service, which is one of the company’s most visible innovations.

Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation

Piedmont EMC, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative based in Hillsborough, is a nonprofit electric utility that strives to empower and partner with consumers to provide energy value and to provide an environment for achieving personal excellence and growth for employees.  The organization serves an energy-conscious membership living and working in residential, university and farming communities.  Through smart grid technology, the Cooperative’s consumers have the option of prepaid electricity, allowing them to buy electricity before they need it and instantly scan their daily energy usage through their computer.

The Taylor Companies

Established in 1816, Taylor is the oldest furniture manufacturer in the United States. Taylor Company developed much of their sustainable practices over the past 5 years by playing a key role in the remediation of a 50 acre Brownfield, responsibly diverting most of their manufacturing waste, conserving natural resources, and commissioning a life cycle assessment report of their best selling desk series to educate stakeholders in decision making processes such as corporate strategy, product design, purchasing and marketing.

Green Plus™ Medium-Sized Business of the Year

MG Capital Maintenance

MG Capital is a janitorial company in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina that started implementing green cleaning procedures in 2008 by converting to environmentally friendly chemicals that meet strict Green Seal™ standards.  Since then, MG Capital has installed chemical dispensers with dilution control systems, utilized micro fiber cleaning systems, and also upgraded vacuum cleaners to include HEPA filters for better indoor air quality and a noise level of less than 70 decibels.  The organization encourages employees to support local charities and non-profit organizations through participation in fund-raising events, financial contributions and in-kind contributions.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is a luxury Five Star and Five Diamond property that seeks to engage guests in the sustainability conversation through education and communication.  The Umstead sources over half of the food products from local farms or vendors, and the grounds include a pond with a restored fish habitat, turtle nesting areas, butterfly garden and a 0.3 mile walking trail that features educational signage for guests to enjoy.  Additionally, the Umstead has an extensive recycling program for paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic in place.

Warfel Construction Company

Founded in 1911, Warfel Construction Company subscribed to sustainability before it became a buzzword. Warfel Construction has tried to maximize their efforts to achieve triple bottom line sustainability through continued education and serving as a point a reference for others to follow.  Additionally, Warfel tout their efforts through advertising on local billboards and in mailings in order to raise awareness within their community about sustainability and green practices within its industry.

Wenger Feeds

Wenger Feeds’ commitment to triple bottom line sustainability shows their leadership in the agricultural industry.  From supporting over 50 local organizations to retrofitting lighting systems in their Rheems Mill facility in Lancaster County and planting 80 trees at their Muncy Mill facility in Northern Pennsylvania, Wenger is pushing the boundaries within their industry and helping other small agricultural businesses see what is possible.

Wohlsen Construction Company

Wohlsen Construction Company has embodied sustainability for 120 years and continued to improve their fiscal performance amid the economic downturn.  95% of Wohlsen’s management team are certified in Green Designations and sustainability is emphasized through ongoing training.  To reduce waste, Wohlsen has adopted specific changes in their operational habits everything from upgrading all appliances and computers to Energy Star products, to transitioning to electronic invoicing, and upgrading their servers to reducing their energy usage by 50%.

The Green Plus™ Small Business of the Year, presented by Wells Fargo

Dos Perros Restaurant

Opening in Durham in August of 2009, Dos Perros serves authentic Mexican food in a fresh, modern atmosphere.  Chefs can frequently be found shopping at the Durham Farmers Market, and local produce is the inspiration for many of the restaurant’s vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.  Dos Perros is based in a building recently renovated for historic and environmental preservation, and gets nearly 1/3 of its AC and heating needs from geothermal energy.

Environmental Solutions Group

The Environmental Solutions Group practices a culture of sustainability with employees and customers.  The EPA recognized ESG with a 2010 Leadership in Housing Award for adding 45 new builders of ENERGY STAR Homes in North Carolina during 2009.  Other sustainable practices include carpooling to all job sites and bicycling to and from the office, asking all customers what they are doing to be more sustainable, and including sustainability tips on their website.

The Irregardless Café

The Irregardless Café has been dedicated to innovative sustainability solutions since opening in 1975.  Started as Raleigh’s first vegetarian-and-vegan-only restaurant, the Café purchases much of its food through local farmers and the Farmer’s Market.  They also support their community and the arts through donations, trade, and other support.  When the Café was closed for 11 months due to fire in 1993, Chef Arthur Gordon continued to pay his employees asking that they volunteer at community nonprofits instead.

Laser Plus

Laser Plus has been a leader in the printer sales, service and supplies industry since 1986, as well as a service provider and reseller of new and refurbished office machines.  The organization has made several physical modifications that would help the Laser Plus employees to live the sustainability concept more fully on a daily basis; from rewiring lighting into zones to earth friendly cleaning materials and supplies for the lunch room.  Half of the employees serve on boards, others act as volunteer EMTs, adopt highways, help in local schools, done in a day events, and play pool for charity.

Riley Life Industries

Riley Life Industries is a warehousing and order fulfillment company that has pushed the boundaries of what it means to focus on the triple bottom line.  A small sample of its sustainable solutions include reducing packaging costs by 61% through reuse, organizes monthly company-wide community service activities, purchasing a battery powered forklift, encouraging carpooling, and bringing together shareholders to encourage community-wide sustainable practice sharing.

The Green Plus™ Non-Profit of the Year

Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district is focused on implementing innovative sustainable practices, which included the creation of a representative Green Team. The District is engaged in moving the district forward in several areas; including reducing energy usage, increasing the level of recycling, revising and developing sustainability policies, and developing awareness across the district.  CHCCS has recently changed their district food provider, which has allowed for the elimination of Styrofoam lunch trays, a focus on locally produced foods, and financial support for district sustainability initiatives.

Downtown Raleigh Alliance

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is a non-profit organization comprised of individuals, associations, corporations, and partnerships that want to improve Downtown Raleigh. This leadership organization is focused on the revitalization of Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina and serves as a clearinghouse and advocacy group for all issues affecting Downtown. DRA also manages the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market, which requires sellers to meet stringent standards and only sell local products.

Plymouth Church United Church of Christ

Plymouth Church UCC is taking a sustainability-based look at themselves, their congregation, and the community that they serve.  The innovative sustainability solutions implemented include eliminating waste, reducing utility usage at the church and among their members, and creating a community garden.  The Church also includes Green Tips in their monthly newsletter, used green building methods when renovating their conference room, and serve as an example of sustainability in its community.

PTA Thrift Shops

As one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the Triangle area, the PTA Thrift Shop, Inc. supports the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools with their year-end profits, which over the past five years has been in excess of $2 million, by operating thrift shops in two locations.  One of the goals of PTA Thrift is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and to generate additional revenue, if possible, from items that are deemed “unsellable.”  To the tag lines ‘People, Planet, Profit’ and ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, the PTA Thrift Shop adds ‘Shop, Save, Support!’

Triangle Community Foundation

Triangle Community Foundation (TCF) is a nonprofit philanthropic foundation that manages $135 million in funds established by individuals, businesses and families. From these funds, they 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 has an extensive employee environmental education campaign and works to reduce waste and conserve resources throughout its daily activities.

Green Plus™ Sole Proprietor of the Year

Benjamin Environmental Solutions Team
Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Benjamin Environmental Sustainability Team (BEST) consults with businesses and individuals who want to live a greener lifestyle.   BEST hosts a cable television series called “Sustainable Life” that helps to show how sustainability measures are being incorporated into life across the United States.

Brick Street Botanical

Brick Street Botanical leads by example with its sustainability practices and has developed a following of clients and other businesses that support their commitment to continually improving our sustainability efforts.  Their sustainable initiatives include conscientiously avoiding traditional floral shop practices that are harmful to the environment, buying locally from gardens and nurseries whenever possible, and using suppliers within a 200 mile radius for the vast majority of our purchases. Brick Street Botanical also recycles gray water for plants, and supports local artists and handmade art.

EcoSelect Furniture

EcoSelect creates custom leather and helps upholster furniture made with green, renewable products, and manufactures it using environmentally sustainable practices. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, every piece of furniture is manufactured locally, using craftspeople from family-owned businesses.  All leather is from a certified tannery, while hemp products come from subsistence farmers and is processed locally.

Thirteen Businesses in Three States Receive Green Plus Recognition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Certified Green Plus Businesses

Bland Landscaping

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

Riley Life Industries, Inc.

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

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

The Redwoods Group

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

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

Zemo Trevathan & Associates

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

New Green Plus Movers

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

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

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

Business Class

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

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center

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

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham-Chapel Hill

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

MG Capital Maintenance

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

Laser Plus

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

One Minute Green

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

Quality Staffing Specialists

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

Springleaf Strategies

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