Verona Launches Green Business Recognition Program!

Sustainable Verona announces a new Green Business Recognition Program to recognize and promote local businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability by implementing responsible environmental practices at their business.

To qualify for the program, businesses agree to five out of a menu of 10 actions, which include:

• 1. Turn off lights, computers and other office equipment on nights and weekends
• 2. Use a programmable thermostat or control during unoccupied times
• 3. Replace light bulbs with low energy LEDs
• 4. Use recycled paper products
• 5. Use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies
• 6. Recycle (business products as well as consumer waste)
• 7. Promote walking, biking or carpooling to work
• 8. Offer a wellness program to employees
• 9. Purchase local material/foods regularly (Local = 5 mile radius)

The tenth is a “wildcard” category for actions specific to the business and industry. “The goal is to make the program approachable for any business in town, not just the ones you would typically think of as being green,” Neale said. “We want to show that there are simple steps any business can take to be more environmentally friendly while saving money as well.”

Participating businesses get their logo and business profile featured on the Township Green Business and Facebook pages, a free table at the annual Green Fair and a discount on the Vidoovy Video and Subscription. They also have access to education, networking support, and free energy and waste assessments through Sustainable Verona.

“We’re trying to find innovative ways to help support local businesses because a thriving business community is the backbone of a sustainable community. We want to encourage people to live and shop locally. The Green Business Recognition program fits right in with our newly launched Video Community Map, which is why we are able to offer a huge discount for any Green Business looking to get involved with the Vidoovy Platform” Neale said.

Business owners interested in joining the program can email sustainableverona@gmail.com for an application until the Township website is back up. Sustainable Verona is also asking all business owners to fill out a quick five-question survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/22N3Z6M. The results will be used to tailor this and other programs for Verona businesses.