Meet the Certified Green Businesses
We’re kicking off 2020 by celebrating our first group of local businesses to achieve recognition in the Local First Arizona Green Business Program! These businesses have worked with LFA during the pilot of the program, and are being recognized for their significant achievements in waste diversion, energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, transportation reduction, stormwater and wastewater best practices and general sustainability in operations. Learn more about this impactful group and be sure to thank them by purchasing their goods and services.
Adventurous Stills: This Tempe distillery makes spirits from natural grains that are sourced regionally. They practice sustainability in many ways, including giving spent grains to local farms to be used in cow feed, recycling water used in the cooling process, replacing plastic cups with reusable shot glasses in their tasting room, switching to LED lights and more. Stop by their tasting room to try out a cocktail and pick up a bottle to share with friends. - MORE
Flinn Foundation: The mission of this philanthropic organization is to improve the quality of life in Arizona for future generations, and they walk the talk when it comes to environmental sustainability. The staff-led Green Team is working hard to implement impactful practices that reduce environmental impacts and share the importance of sustainability with those who use their facility. They have reduced energy use by upgrading to LEDs and have had an energy audit done on the building, omitted chemical air fresheners, recycle all acceptable materials and compost organic matter, conserve water by using low-flow aerators and monitor water use for the landscaping. - MORE
Integrity Valet: Sustainability is a passion for Integrity Valet owner Ryan Rabish, and it has seeped into the way this local valet company operates. Valet employees are all provided with reusable water bottles to avoid single use plastics while on shift, smart thermostats have been installed in the office to reduce energy use, office staff takes recyclable material offsite rather than landfill it, transportation emissions are reduced by assigning staff shifts that are close to their homes and by requiring staff to digitally send reports to office staff rather than driving. - MORE
Rio Salado Audubon Center: Organizations focused on environmental issues see climate change impacts first hand, so its no surprise that the staff of Phoenix’s Audubon Center is all-in when it comes to operating with the planet in mind. Housed in a LEED certified building, the team plays an important role in connecting people to natural surroundings through educational programs and event hosting. The building has a solar installation, an on-site composting setup, a graywater system that reuses water and Electric Vehicle charging stations in the parking lot. Staff opts for natural cleaning products and recycled content paper products, and no harsh weed killers or chemical air fresheners are used on the property. - MORE
Tracy Dempsey Originals:: Local foods are top of mind at this Tempe bakery, thanks to owner Tracy Dempsey’s attention to sourcing from local farms and growers. Their recently launched Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program offers the chance for community members to have access to seasonal Arizona grown produce, and the retail shop offerings include items from Arizona food producers including wine, spices and pastas. Dempsey advocates for sustainable food policy through local nonprofits. Inside the shop her team are pros at reusing materials like cardboard inserts from wine boxes to create signage, they offer incentives (aka cookies!) for customers who bring their own containers, have eliminated plastic water bottles, plastic bags and Styrofoam. They participate in the Tempe Grease Cooperative to ensure proper disposal of fats, oils and grease, had a water audit performed, reduce transportation emissions by carefully planning deliveries and mointor bills to conserve energy. - MORE
Witnessing Nature in Food: Providing healthy, organic food while reducing the waste associated with catering is top priority for Jennifer Johnson. Her company provides catering and meal prep services for all ages, including healthy lunches for school kids which feature no fried food. Johnson has successfully implemented sustainability practices into the commercial kitchen she shares including composting and recycling, maintaining kitchen equipment to focus on energy efficiency, recycling soft plastics and working to replace them with more sustainable products. She goes above and beyond to recycle nitrile gloves by participating in Terracycle’s program and carefully monitors the waste produced in operations through waste audits and tracking. Witnessing Nature in Food has received recognition for sustainability efforts through the City of Phoenix, City of Scottsdale and Arizona Green Chamber. - MORE
Independent businesses in Tempe and Phoenix interested in participating in the Green Business Program can find more information online.
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