Green Leaf Program Promotes Eco-Conscious Practices
More Businesses Invited To Participate
The Green Leaf Award was developed by the Village of Shorewood Conservation Committee to encourage local businesses to take concrete steps toward a more sustainable way of operating their business. Greening your business helps attract new customers, develop a loyal customer base and create a healthier work environment for employees. Businesses can also improve their bottom line and consumers receive more environmentally responsible product and service options.
How Does the Green Leaf Program Work?
Volunteers collaborate with business owners and managers to conduct green business assessments. Topics covered in the assessment include energy, transportation, waste reduction, water and air quality, responsible purchasing, building and remodeling, food, and education. When a Shorewood business meets specified criteria it receives a Green Leaf Award. A Green Leaf decal is available for posting on a storefront window, and notice of the award can be posted online on a business website.
2011 Green Leaf Award Winners
- Allstate Insurance/Andrew McCabe Agency, 4451 N. Oakland Ave..
- Stowell Associates, 4485 N. Oakland Ave.
2010 Green Leaf Award Winners
- CYGA, 3575 N. Oakland Ave.
- Gardens by Garland, 3610 N. Oakland Ave.
- Garden Room, 2107 E. Capitol Dr.
- Grande Flowers, 1433 E. Capitol Dr.
- SHOP, 1918 E. Capitol Dr.
- Stone Creek Coffee, 4106 N. Oakland Ave.
Doug McDonald, manager of the Garden Room and pilot participant says, “The process was smooth and easy, but not effortless.” He also added that ninety percent of making your business greener is culture change and a change in your thinking.
Liz LeBlanc Sumner, co-owner of SHOP and another Green Leaf Award Pilot business says, ” The checklist shows you that small things you can do can have a huge impact.”
Other Shorewood Businesses and Volunteers Invited To Participate
Who is eligible to participate?
Any building owner who rents to businesses in Shorewood, and any business who rents space in Shorewood for their business. Applicants must meet all prerequisites and at least 10 strategies from the checklist. The checklist was designed to accommodate as many situations as possible to address the diverse types of buildings and businesses within the Village. (Some strategies on the checklist may or may not apply to a particular business or building.) Please click here to download the checklist.
I’m interested, now what do I do?
If your business is serious about instituting or incorporating more green practices into your business, contact Peter Cahill, Village of Shorewood, at 414.847.2706 or pcahill@villageofshorewood.org. He will link you up with a Green Leaf Award volunteer to answer your questions and to set up a meeting to begin the process.
If you are interested in becoming an environmentally sustainable business assessment volunteer, you can also contact Mike Hawes, who can connect your with another volunteer to set up a time to shadow a volunteer conducting a business assessment and train you.