October's Green Certified Businesses
We’ve got some new local businesses in our Certified Green family! Meet the businesses that are doing their part for the environment and show your appreciation by choosing them for your purchases, sending a note of thanks or engaging with them on social media.
Interested in having your business certified through Local First Arizona’s green business programs? Click here if your business is in the metro Phoenix area or click here if your business is in southern Arizona.
Euclid Solutions
Smart use of natural resources is the main focus of Euclid Solution’s business model, as they advise their clients on ways to implement strategies that improve resiliency and reduce operational costs. As a business that provides sustainability solutions via a variety of products like LED lighting, bottle-less water stations and solar and wind power products, it makes sense that they operate with a minimal environmental footprint. Energy is reduced by opting for daylighting in the office, monitoring energy bills to watch for spikes, using ceiling fans to cool the space, and maintaining the HVAC unit. Pollution prevention includes choosing cleaning chemicals that are less toxic, properly disposing of electronic waste and chemicals, and avoiding chemical fertilizers and pest control sprays. Waste is carefully monitored, with materials that can be recycled properly, and food waste is composted. The packaging is reused, soft plastics are properly recycled and balloons, Styrofoam and plastic water bottles are avoided. The company avoids printing when possible, and opts for recycled content paper products. Water use is monitored each month by reviewing bills and checking for leaks, and gravel landscape reduces the need for outdoor irrigation. Owner Aaron Bercovitch also gives back to the community by serving on the Board of the Arizona Green Chamber. - MORE
Modern Phoenix
Modern Phoenix is the influential brainchild of Alison and Matthew King, admirers and advocates of Arizona’s midcentury architecture. For almost twenty years they have been developing a network to catalog the historic building stock, educate the community on adaptive reuse, champion preservation efforts and promote the timeless style of the 1950s architects and designers. Along with encouraging the preservation of existing buildings, the Kings operate their own business in a sustainable fashion. Energy conservation includes using Energy Star appliances, daylighting when possible, using ceiling fans, tracking energy use and shading the windows and walls. They opt for natural cleaning products without fragrance, recycle spent printer ink, eliminate chemical air fresheners and, in true retro style, they prioritize materials that are repurposed. Paper, plastic and cans are properly recycled and the King’s choose recycled or Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, which ensures that deforestation is not a side effect of their printing needs. Modern Phoenix also supports local nonprofits, including hosting a used vintage furniture drive which also promotes the reuse mantra. One of the most important sustainability actions they take is inspiring property owners and homeowners to implement green building strategies through seminars and home tours. - MORE
Root Salon
The Root Salon owner Lauren Hart has been working on sustainability initiatives for many years. When moving to their current Phoenix location, her attention to creating an energy-efficient space quite literally paid off, as they increased the size of their space while also paying less on their energy bill than in their previous smaller location. This was accomplished by installing energy-efficient lighting, using programmable thermostats, choosing Energy Star office equipment and appliances, using a tankless water heater, shading sun-exposed windows with smart shades, and replacing bonnet hairdryers with roller ball dryers. Another significant step was joining the Green Circle program, which provides a specialized service for salons to send waste, including foils and hair care product containers, to be recycled. Stylists also opt for reusable gloves over one-time-use alternatives, and the salon carries products for sale that are refillable. Pollution prevention strategies include avoiding chemical air fresheners, avoiding spraying for pests indoors, and proper, careful disposal of unused chemicals. Biking to the salon is encouraged, with secure bike storage available and a bike kit on-site for quick repairs. They conserve water by having low flow toilets, having a water audit performed, using an Energy Star dishwasher, and they are looking into lower water use spray nozzles in their shampoo area. - MORE
True View Glass
Located in Phoenix, True View Glass installs windows, patio doors, showers and commercial glass, all with a team dedicated on lowering their environmental impact. To ensure that as little goes to the landfill as possible, they recycle all acceptable materials and donate salvageable items to Habitat for Humanity. To reduce waste, they avoid individual bottled water for their installation crew by offering a water refill station instead and go paperless whenever possible. True View’s energy conservation efforts include having an energy audit performed by SRP, using smart thermostats, performing checkups on HVAC units twice a year and changing air filters regularly. They carefully plan delivery and installation routes which reduce pollution associated with transportation. Water conservation includes monitoring their water bill and having landscaping with no irrigated turf. Leading the green charge is Marnie Jones, the Client Relations Manager and their newly formed Green Team that helps move the company in the right direction. Their impact is moving outside of the office as well, as they are participating in the Adopt-a-Street program where their team picks up trash and debris along their designated roadway. True View Glass has also been recognized through the City of Phoenix Green Business Leader program. - MORE
Western Sky Communications
Western Sky Communications is a small business run by Martha Retallick, a writer and photographer who has transformed her home office's backyard into a desert oasis, rejuvenated by a new rainwater harvesting system. In addition to using rainwater for irrigation and running her entire operation on solar power, Martha makes it a point to source everything she possibly can locally, supporting her community and keeping her carbon footprint small. Her innovation and dedication to building resiliency and maintaining the sustainability of Western Sky serves as inspiration for other local businesses looking to make a lasting impact. Martha is certified at the Silver level with 40 points on the Southern Arizona Green Leaders checklist, completing entire sections of that checklist and cementing Western Sky Communications as a true leader in Tucson sustainability. - MORE