October 2021 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 SWIYYAH, LLC and Wok This Way; two businesses whose sourcing and operating standards prioritize clean air, zero waste, water conservation, and sustaining livable communities for generations to come.
SWIYYAH, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Operating with human and ecosystem health at the forefront is SWIYYAH, LLC, the first and only organic, plant-based designer/apparel company in Arizona. Owner Jadestorm has created an environmental policy for her business and procures only certified natural materials and dyes for garments that reflect the natural life cycle of the plants and minerals used to create them, mitigating the devastating problems of textile waste and chemical discharge into waterways. On top of becoming Arizona Green Business Certified, SWIYYAH has earned the prestigious Global Organic Textile Standard Organization (GOTS) Certification for their sourcing and business practice standards.
SWIYYAH, LLC exercises the same care and intentionality in their business operations as they do in their sourcing practices. Because garments are made from organic materials including cotton, bamboo, wood, and hemp, pre-washing practices that are prevalent in conventional textile manufacturing can be avoided, preventing toxic effluent from seeping into waterways and conserving hundreds of gallons of water per garment. This has also allowed them to create a plan to recycle and reuse any leftover materials, creating an opportunity for circularity within their operations.
Creating pathways for young people to get involved and enact transformational systems change is championed by SWIYYAH through partner nonprofit Mir’Ra I.M.A.G.E. This collaboration provides opportunities for students grade 6-12 to get hands-on experience and education in developing a vision for environmental, social, and cultural change in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Wok This Way - Phoenix, AZ
Wok This Way is a 100% vegan/vegetarian, Asian-inspired food truck in Phoenix that is no stranger to achieving excellence through the rigors of certification. On top of becoming the first food truck to be certified through the Arizona Green Business Program, Wok This Way is a certified platinum-level Phoenix Green Business Leader and is Green Restaurant certified. They have accomplished this through a strong commitment to sourcing only fresh, organic ingredients, and diverting nearly 100% of their waste away from the landfill through compostable packaging, recycling, composting food scraps, and donating any extra food and supplies to those in need.
Part of building a sustaining community is sharing stories and examples of successes for others to learn from. Owner Kris Mill, nephew Jake, and staff members actively share about their business practices with customers to help them understand the importance of a sustainable local food economy. Wok This Way strives to source plant-based ingredients as locally as possible to support local farms and maintain a minimal carbon footprint. They utilize cleaning products that are natural and biodegradable to prevent chemical runoff, and provide safe, meaningful work for employees while empowering people with special needs and through employment.
In an effort to promote sustainable behaviors within their customers and the general public, Wok This Way provides education on sustainability, nutrition, and communications about events through their blog, and offers discounts to those who bring their own utensils and bowls to their food truck. Now that’s “woking” the talk.
Get your business the recognition it deserves for being a sustainability leader in your 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
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
