Sitka Green Business Awards

Sitka Global Warming Group and Sustainable Sitka (SGWG/SS) are proud to recognize the following Sitka "Green" Businesses that are doing good things for the environment while also doing good things for our local economy.  Through implementing green, environmentally-sustainable business practices, these award-winning businesses are contributing to the sustainability of our community, both in an environmental sense and in a financial and social sense.  For their work toward sustainability, we recognize and thank our local "Sitka Green Business Award" winners for 2010!

 

2010 Sitka Green Business Awards

The following businesses are being recognized and certified as Sitka Green Businesses for 2010

To see the list of businesses and the green practices they are specifically being recognized for, please click here

Special Recognition

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

 

Program Participation

SGWG/SS developed this local “certification” process to determine those businesses and practices to recognize through this program.  The program’s four levels recognize different levels of commitment towards green practices.  The more actions that a business is doing to help the environment, the higher the recognition level they received.  The special recognition category was set up for a business involved in a one-time, major environmental initiative. Awards for 2010 were determined as follows.  Businesses using: 1-3 green practices received a Bronze Award; 4-6 green practices – a Silver Award; 7-9 green practices – a Gold Award; 10 or more green practices – the Platinum Award.  The special recognition category was set up for a business involved in a one-time, major environmental initiative.

Awards are determined through nomination by any interested party (employees, customers, etc.), with the nominated business determining their own participation (see Nominations below).   This (2010) is the first year that SGWG/SS Sitka have presented the green business awards.  We hope to present awards each year, once a year.  Since many nominations were based on observed practices (either from employees or from customers), SGWG/SS likely missed many green practices at the award-winning businesses.  For businesses already receiving awards, SGWG/SS will recognize existing and new green practices during the next set of yearly awards.  Nominations for previously un-recognized businesses will be considered on an ongoing basis.  We will will take nominations for additional 2010 Sitka Green Business Awards, either from businesses themselves or from customers (see instructions under Nominations, below).  

The criteria for the awards are in constant development.  SGWG/SS reserve the right to determine what practices will be listed and recognized and what businesses qualify for the awards. 

 

Green Practices List:

The following list of green practices was compiled from practices currently being used in Sitka and was used to determine the level of award for 2010.  To see the list of businesses and the green practices they are specifically being recognized for, please click here.   A copy of this list, designed for printing or copying and filling out as a form, is available under Nominations below. 

WASTE REDUCTION
Reuse materials
Give away usable items and food rather than throw it away
Encourage double-sided printing
Recycle 1 or more city-sponsored items
Recycle "specialty" items (batteries, shopping bags, print cartridges, phones, etc.)
Compost coffee grounds or food waste
Discount for customers using reusing items (cups, bags, etc.)
Use reusable serving items (plates, forks, etc.) rather than throw away items
Use web-based (paperless) marketing, billing, newsletters, etc.
Proper disposal of hazardous waste
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Energy Efficient lighting (Install/use CFLs, LEDs, etc)
Energy efficient heating (Install/use programmable thermostat, turn down heat at night)
Turn off lights, electronics (computer, etc.) at night
Installed/maintain other energy saving devices (elec. hand driers)
TRANSPORTATION
Provide/maintain covered bike parking
Support bike/walking programs (for employees or special initiatives)
Consolidate errands - Transportation efficiency
Use teleconferencing/ videoconferencing to reduce travel for meetings, training, etc.
Use 4 stroke outboards/take other measures to reduce boat fuel use
GREEN MATERIALS
Use recycled paper/refurbished office supplies
Use environmentally friendly supplies/methods (including green seal certified products, natural fertilizers, un-bleached napkins with soy ink, etc.)
PRODUCTS
Provide training and consulting regarding green products
Sell Fair Trade certified products
Sell locally made/grown items
Sell reusable shopping bags
Sell re-used items
Ask clients to reuse towels
COMMUNITY/ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
Organize/promote clean-up events (land, water, beaches)
Promote/support green education (about energy conservation, invasive species, green practices,etc.)
Support local foods activities
Have employee Green Team

 

 

Nominations

If you own, work for or know of a Sitka business doing green practices that you would like to see recognized with a Sitka Green Business Award, we'd like to hear from you!  Please go to the Green Business Nomination Form, copy and paste the attached table into a WORD document, fill in the business name at the top and put an x in any green practices currently occurring at that business.  Please email that filled-in list to info@sitkaglobalwarming.org.  Also, if you have or know of additional green practices occurring that you would like us to consider adding to our list, please include a list of those in your email.   Make sure to send us the business name and address as well as your name and email address.  If you'd just like more information, please contact us at info@sitkaglobalwarming.org

 

 

Program History

At a March 2009 SGWG/SS meeting one member suggested, "Thank local companies and businesses for green practices. Recognize those who are taking an initiative! promote the positives!"  By April of that year, a green business recognition program was prioritized as one of the most important actions to be taken by SGWG/SS in 2009/2010.

This program came about because members of SGWG/SS recognized that many Sitka businesses are engaged in green practices such as recycling, composting, installing bike racks, encouraging use of reusable cups/bags/plates, and energy conservation.  Realizing that these “green” practices benefit the environment, save money, and increase our sustainability, SGWG/SS wanted to recognize and thank those businesses, encourage others to start “greening” their business, and help local businesses take advantage of a green marketing strategy.  We hope these awards are the start of added business and sustainability in Sitka.

 

 

Recent News Releases and More

Date:    April 15, 2010                               

Contact: Michelle Putz, Sitka Global Warming Group

Sitka Green Business Award Winners Announced

 Last week 32 Sitka businesses were awarded the 2010 “Sitka Green Business Award” for their green business practices by the Sitka Global Warming Group and Sustainable Sitka (SGWG/SS).  Three Sitka businesses, Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and the US Forest Service-Sitka Office received the highest recognition, the Platinum level award.  Two businesses received Gold level awards, eight businesses were awarded Silver level awards, and 18 businesses received Bronze level awards. The City and Borough of Sitka and Sitka Assembly received the 2010 Special Recognition award for their work on Climate Action Planning in 2009 and 2010.

Sailor's Choice Coffee and Sea Mart accepting Green Business Awards

 Natalie Sattler, a member of SGWG/SS, presented some of the awards to the businesses last week.  “Many businesses were surprised and excited to be recognized because they did not know that their customers had nominated them,” said Natalie, “these awards are a great way to support businesses who use sustainable business practices.” 

 “We recognize and appreciate how these award-winning businesses are contributing to the sustainability of our community, both in an environmental sense and in a financial and social sense,” says Michelle Putz, a representative of SGWG/SS.  “This program came about because members of SGWG/SS recognized that many Sitka businesses are engaged in green practices such as recycling, composting, installing bike racks, encouraging use of reusable cups/bags/plates, and energy conservation.  Realizing that these “green” practices benefit the environment, save money, and increase our sustainability, SGWG/SS wanted to recognize and thank those businesses, encourage others to start “greening” their business, and help local businesses take advantage of a green marketing strategy.  We hope these awards are the start of added business and sustainability in Sitka ,” said Michelle.  SGWG/SS also wanted to recognize and thank the employees at these businesses since they are the people who actually implement these green actions.

 SGWG/SS developed the local “certification” process to determine those businesses and practices to recognize through this program.  The program’s four levels recognize different levels of commitment towards green practices.  The more actions that a business is doing to help the environment, the higher the recognition level they received.  The special recognition category was set up for a business involved in a one-time, major environmental initiative. 

 Awards for 2010 were determined as follows.  Businesses using: 1-3 green practices received a Bronze Award; 4-6 green practices – a Silver Award; 7-9 green practices – a Gold Award; 10 or more green practices – the Platinum Award.

 SEE LIST ABOVE

“We are excited about the long list of local businesses taking action to reduce their environmental footprint in Sitka .  All of our award winners, but especially our three Platinum award winners, Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and the US Forest Service-Sitka Office, are taking many great actions to reduce waste, conserve energy, reduce fuel use in transportation, and support the community and green products industry.  We hope that businesses review the list of green practices and work towards reaching a higher award level next year by adding more practices,” said Michelle Putz of SGWG/SS.

 This is the first year that SGWG and Sustainable Sitka have presented the green business awards.  They hope to present awards each year, once a year.  Nominations for previously un-recognized businesses will be considered; SGWG/SS said they will take nominations for additional 2010 Sitka Green Business Awards, either from businesses themselves or from customers through email with instructions on the SGWG website.   

 Since many nominations were based on observed practices (either from employees or from customers), SGWG/SS says they likely missed many green practices at the award-winning businesses.  For businesses already receiving awards, SGWG/SS will recognize existing and new green practices during the next set of yearly awards.

 “We hope this recognition supports businesses who use and take on more green practices, and also increases their business, particularly as the summer season comes on and people start making their buying choices,” said Michelle Putz.  Businesses that are recognized receive a “2010 Sitka Green Business Award” certificate that can be placed in the business’s window or check out counter to identify it as a green business.  Green businesses are also listed and discussed on the SGWG website at www.sitkaglobalwarming.org (select Green Businesses from the Contents bar).  “We’ve offered the businesses the opportunity to put their website link on our green business page to help increase their web presence and help them link up with customers who are looking to reduce their environmental footprint” said Michelle.  SGWG/SS will also provide businesses with the “Sitka Green Business Award” logo (a drawing of Mt Edgecumbe in bronze, silver, gold, or green (green for Platinum) to place on their print advertising and websites. 

 SGWG/SS compiled a list of over 30 “green” practices that are being used to determine the green business awards.  They will consider adding other green practices to the list if businesses suggest them.  “Our criteria for the awards are in constant development,” said Michelle.  The current green practices being recognized are listed below.