March 2022 Certified Green Businesses
We are excited to announce the latest businesses to become certified through the Arizona Green Business Program. Read on to discover Local First Arizona members MISGIF and Company Eco: two businesses whose sourcing and operating standards prioritize clean air, zero waste, water conservation, and sustaining livable communities for generations to come.
MISGIF - Tempe, AZ
Forming strong ties in the community has become critical for businesses in Arizona. We are in a time where consumers increasingly support businesses that align with their core values and care about the places they operate in. MISGIF in Tempe, AZ exists to help businesses connect more deeply with their customers, intended audience, and employees through stylish and sustainable animated photo booth experiences. Events are customized to provide businesses with marketing solutions that increase their brand awareness and help them to capture leads and data in a fun way.
Chief MISGIF-maker and Creative Director Jessie Whitfield sought Arizona Green Business Certification as a way to measure MISGIF’s impact and communicate her values of environmentalism, community well-being, and localism. Jessie and MISGIF have focused on the benefits of providing digital photo booth, animated GIF, and video experiences, allowing businesses to seamlessly integrate with their social media and online marketing efforts while avoiding the need for printed photos. Jessie has linked this choice to the impacts of toxic, non-biodegradable and non-recyclable materials from the industry ending up in landfills. MISGIF makes the effort to provide high-quality recyclable and reusable props and staging items to their clients as a waste prevention measure that avoids production of one-time use items and saves money.
Jessie’s commitment to protecting Arizona’s natural resources and being a strong steward in her community is outlined in MISGIF’s Sustainability Policy, which includes a commitment to localism. Jessie sources products and services as locally as possible for MISGIF, a choice that minimizes the transportation miles and environmental impact of her supply chain and directly supports quality businesses, jobs, and families here in Arizona.
Company Eco - Red Rock, AZ
Being thoughtful about sustainability while making purchases online can be difficult. How can you know for sure that companies are walking the walk when it comes to protecting the planet? Company Eco aims to provide solutions to this conundrum - they are an online retail business that supports the growth of a sustainability-considerate economy by sourcing home, bathroom, and kitchen products from ethical makers and purveyors. The Company Eco dedication to education is apparent on their website, which shares sustainability practices with customers by offering a sustainability rating on each product across its entire life cycle.
Company Eco owner Jessy Long, based in Red Rock, Arizona, is solar powered! Working from his home office, Jessy relies on solar panels to run his operation and offsets carbon from business travel and all delivery emissions by supporting reforestation and renewable energy projects. Company Eco especially shines in the waste category, composting and recycling almost everything used in business operations and making sure all materials are added to the appropriate waste stream. For deliveries, they also provide information on best practices for waste diversion to customers, multiplying their impact. Plastic and other waste materials are cut off at the source whenever possible - Company Eco purchases used and recycled supplies for everything they do, and does not use plastic anywhere in product packaging.
Overall, Company Eco sets itself apart from any other online retailer, protects consumers, and combats greenwashing by offering only the best quality products via their innovative rating method, based on responsible sourcing and environmental excellence. Owner Jessy Long plans to grow and share his knowledge and beneficial impact as Company Eco grows and expands, modeling ways to ensure a bright and resilient future for the Arizona economy.
Fun Fact: Both businesses recognized here, Company Eco and MISGIF, are dedicated to incorporating as much as possible about sustainability into all of their operations, and so have participated in our project planning program SCALE UP as well as being Local First Arizona Certified Green Businesses! Learn more about SCALE UP here.
Get recognized for being a sustainability leader in your community by becoming a Certified Green Business!
Reach out to the Sustainability team using the Arizona Green Business Certification Interest Form or contact Nick Shivka, Sustainability Program Manager - nick@localfirstaz.com / 602-956-0909 ext. 25