August 2021 Certified Green Businesses

This summer has brought a much-needed monsoon season to quench our parched ecosystems and communities across the state. Luckily, more and more businesses across the state have made conserving water and other sustainable practices part of doing business. This month, three new businesses have become certified through the Arizona Green Business Program. Steady Glow Digital, Ivan Martinez Photography, and The Nile Theater + Coffee Shop.

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Steady Glow Digital - Phoenix, AZ

Working with other small businesses, namely those focused on sustainability, is Steady Glow Digital’s bread and butter. They equip their clients with elegantly designed eco-friendly marketing solutions including web content, design, and digital marketing strategies that align businesses with their values and improve their visibility online. Owner Jen Urso knows how important it is for businesses to lead the charge in climate action, and has implemented sustainable practices in all aspects of her business’s operations. 

Maintaining the integrity of the local desert ecosystem is a priority for Steady Glow, therefore they avoid purchasing and providing materials containing toxins and chemicals. This means choosing paper products that are unbleached and made from recycled content, utilizing non-toxic cleaning supplies, and only using organic fertilizer and compost for their landscaping which consists entirely of native and low water use plants. Onsite water catchment cisterns have been employed to feed these plants that attract pollinators and provide shade. On the inside, Steady Glow has ensured their energy and water fixtures are as efficient and low-use as possible through using new and retrofitted fixtures. Day-lighting is employed in the office space, with LEDs providing additional light when needed. 

As a member of Local First Arizona, Steady Glow Digital prioritizes sourcing supplies and services from other local businesses. Urso is also making an impact beyond the walls of her business in her community by participating in City of Phoenix climate action planning sessions, attending conferences and classes on how her business can continue improving its sustainability, is a member of ARISEIA, and supports the Earth Justice organization.

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Ivan Martinez Photography - Mesa, AZ

Beyond products and services, when we seek local businesses to support, we connect most deeply with the story behind their existence. Ivan Martinez of Ivan Martinez Photography is a commercial photographer who listens to his clients to create timeless  images that tell the story of the business., He specializes in corporate and commercial photography, business headshots, advertising, and events of all kinds. While Martinez spends a lot of his time on-site with his clients around the state, implementing sustainable practices into his business operations and office in Mesa are a priority, and he serves as an example to other businesses.

As a member of Local First Arizona, Martinez knows that choosing local businesses for supplies and services keeps dollars and jobs in the local economy, and is therefore prioritizing sustainable and local purchasing throughout his entire supply chain when possible. Localization of purchasing also reduces transport emissions and damage to Arizona’s ecosystems from otherwise lengthy, complex supply chains. Being a photography and marketing business, Ivan Martinez Photography is careful to properly recycle all electronics and accessories at the end of their life with a certified recycler, ensuring hazardous materials are not allowed to contaminate the environment. Martinez has also outfitted his facility with energy-efficient light bulbs, programmable thermostats, and power management software to conserve as much energy as possible.

When he isn’t working for his clients, Martinez is working hard for his local community. He is an active member in many community-oriented organizations including the City of Mesa Museum & Cultural Advisory Board, Mesa HoHoKams, and serves on the board of the Downtown Mesa Merchants Association.

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The Nile Theater + Coffee Shop - Mesa, AZ

Originally opening as a movie house in 1924, The Nile Theater has undergone several transformations through it’s nearly 100 year existence. Now in 2021, The Nile is a  “World Famous” entertainment venue featuring a variety of shows from jazz bands to punk shows to wrestling, as well as home to a coffee shop.boasting a vegan food menu and house-baked goods. The Nile Theater + Coffee Shop is undergoing further transformation in becoming a sustainable business while preserving the integrity and character of the building it’s located in.

A priority for The Nile is developing a culture of sustainability between employees from the beginning. Special training in sustainability procedures is provided to all workers in the coffee shop and the venue, including proper waste diversion, energy conservation, and water conservation practices. Within the Nile Coffee Shop, the vegan food menu features a growing list of ingredients that are sourced from local growers and purveyors, displaying a commitment to supporting a sustainable local food economy. As a result of its efforts, The Nile is able to reuse and recycle all acceptable materials while composting 100% of its food waste, donating the compost material directly to Celestial Stem who distributes the compost to local community gardens. During its recent remodeling, The Nile utilized bricks left over from its original construction in 1924, making them a shining example of a business moving towards zero waste.

Being located in Downtown Mesa, The Nile Theater + Coffee Shop has a strong presence and uses it to benefit its local community. The business serves as a Mutual AID drop-off location, making it an accessible venue for re-distributing food and resources to people in need. The theater itself has recently reopened its doors for live shows and entertainment and has switched to electronic-only ticketing and receipts to further reduce waste and promote safety for concert goers.

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Get your business the recognition it deserves for being a sustainability leader in our community by becoming a Certified Green Business!

Is your business located in Tempe, Mesa, or Phoenix? Reach out to Nick Shivka, Sustainability Program Manager - nick@localfirstaz.com / 602-956-0909 ext. 25 or go to az.greenbiztracker.org to get started!

If you’re located in Southern Arizona (Pima, Yuma, Cochise, or Santa Cruz counties), become a green certified business by reaching out to Kelly Liska, Green Leaders Coordinator - kelly@localfirstaz.com or go to sazgba.com/greenleader to learn more and apply!