January’s Certified Green Businesses
Lots of local businesses kicked off 2020 in sustainable style! Show the love by supporting these businesses that were certified through the Local First Arizona Green Business Program in January.
Art Resource Center: This hidden gem is the epicenter for upcycling aficionados and zero-wasters. Founder Sherrie Zeitlin and her team divert tons of materials from the landfill (paper, paints, fabric, bottles, containers – basically anything imaginable) and offer it for reuse by artists, educators, nonprofits and the general public. They practice sustainability in their operations as well – conserving energy by switching to LED bulbs and using occupancy sensors in their large facility, eliminating chemical air fresheners, avoiding spraying for pests, recycling all acceptable materials and using donated items including bags for purchases rather than buying new. – MORE
Cartel Coffee Lab, Tempe: Cartel serves up delicious coffee drinks in sustainable style, thanks to their dedicated staff who tackle green initiatives. Energy is conserved through the facility by using Energy Star appliances and smart thermostats. A large amount of food ingredients are sourced from local farms which limits the miles it travels. Reducing and recycling their waste is a priority, with coffee grounds and food scraps getting composted and cardboard, plastics, paper and cans recycled properly. Cartel participates in Terracycle’s coffee bag recycling program, they provide reusable plates, cups and utensils, they choose recyclable or compostable to-go ware and offer incentives to customers who bring their own cups. They conserve water by using dual flush toilets and an air-cooled ice machine, and they are part of the Tempe Grease Co-op which helps them properly disposes of fats, oils and grease. - MORE
Arizona Apparel Foundation: The passionate team at the Arizona Apparel Foundation is changing the local fashion scene by offering Arizona designers a place to hone their skills in an eco-friendly manner. Founders Angela Johnson and Sherri Barry advocate for a greener way of doing things in an industry known for pollution and resource waste. Programs like the ReFABRICate line of apparel that is made from leftover material keeps non-recyclable items out of the landfill and their partnership with The Centers for Habilitation creates tote bags made from event banners and fabric scraps. They practice energy efficiency by using programmable thermostats and occupancy sensors. When shipping items they opt for eco-friendly shipping materials. They recycle all items accepted by the City of Tempe, have a “no glitter” policy, and centralize purchasing to reduce waste. –MORE
Refresh Glass: The OGs of upcycling in Arizona, Refresh Glass turns empty wine bottles into unique drinking vessels, candle holders and planters. Founder Ray del Muro has a goal to rescue ten million bottles, all while limiting the environmental impact of the company’s operations. Energy efficient lighting and LED exit signs are used in their warehouse and windows are shaded. Natural cleaning products are used in their facility, and chemical air fresheners are avoided. Bottles that cannot be used are recycled, and the packaging for the finished glassware is all recyclable. The company vehicle is properly maintained and routes are planned to reduce transportation emissions. Del Muro also mentors circular economy start-ups, helping grow the trash-to-treasure movement in Arizona. – MORE
Sole Sports, Tempe: Finding the perfect running shoe at Sole Sports is easy thanks to their fantastic customer service, but you might not know all that they are doing to be sustainable. They keep hundreds of pairs of shoes out of the landfill by giving store credit to customers who donate used shoes, which are given to various charity groups. Shoe boxes are donated to local schools, and packaging materials are saved and reused. They have a water refill station which eliminates the need for bottled water, and they recycle all cardboard, plastic, paper and cans. They have dual flush toilets to save water and have transitioned to LED bulbs and exit signs. - MORE
Truce: Truce is a local company making chemical-free cleaners that remove grime from your life without comprising your health. They also walk-the-talk in their business operations and are strong advocates for a more sustainable way of doing things. LED lighting, programmable thermostats, Energy Star rated refrigerators and well-maintained HVAC units all help conserve energy. Unsurprisingly, they eliminate chemical air fresheners in their facility. They ship products with the environmental impact at the forefront, using previously loved boxes complete with stickers asking the recipients to reuse or recycle. The truce team recycles, goes paperless as much as possible and offers flex scheduling for their staff to avoid heavy commute times. - MORE