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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Certified Green Plus ^TM Businesses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Green Plus^TM Movers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.gogreenplus.org