This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Business in Longmont is not only booming; it’s finding ways to be sustainable too.
The City of Longmont’s Sustainability program celebrated the successful conclusion of its Sustainable Business Pilot program on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Eighteen participating organizations were recognized for their efforts to incorporate sustainable business practices in three different areas: environmental, economic and social. Now, after the five-month trial period, the Sustainability program is inviting all local businesses to sign up and participate.
The voluntary, free program, which offers resources in both English and Spanish, helps business owners learn about and implement sustainable practices in the three different areas, known in the business world as the Triple Bottom Line. Longmont is the first city in the country to hone in on all three areas of measurement in its sustainable business initiatives, according to Berenice Garcia-Tellez, Economic Sustainability Specialist for the City of Longmont.
“There are many cities already recognizing the green aspect, but we’re taking it a step further,” she said. “I was impressed to see such a positive response on the social and economic measures. The feedback we received from participants made it clear the program offered easily identifiable steps businesses could take to implement these standards, no matter their size or where they were on the sustainability path.”
Some examples of measures in each area include the following:
- Environmental: Employing energy and water conservation techniques, increasing waste diversion and encouraging sustainable transportation.
- Social: Participating in volunteering and community opportunities, donating to non-profits, implementing diversity and inclusion strategies and offering an employee wellness program.
- Economic: Implementing fair labor practices, mentoring local entrepreneurs, buying local, hiring members of the local workforce and paying livable wages.
Tuesday’s celebration spotlighted all 18 pilot businesses and shared what each has done to implement sustainable practices. Each business received a decal they can display to show their program participation. See a list of participating businesses and how they stacked up at the end of this release.
With excitement for the program growing, Garcia-Tellez wants to encourage any business with a Longmont address to apply. After a business registers, her team will provide free, one-on-one assistance in employing sustainable practices, in addition to connecting participants with financial and educational resources.
“Moving forward, I want to invite all businesses to help us shape a sustainable economy for our residents,” Garcia-Tellez said. “They are all key to building a sustainable future for Longmont.
Learn more about the Sustainable Businesses Program and register today.
Pilot program participants were each awarded a level – gold, silver or bronze – based on a pre-determined point matrix. The following factors were considered when assigning points to a measure on each category:
- Environmental impact reduction potential
- Ease of implementation
- Time Commitment
- Monetary Commitment
- Employee involvement
Participants and their levels are as follows:
- Gold standard winners:
- OUR Center
- Main Street Mat Company
- Left Hand Brewing Company
- Management and Engineering Services
- The Roost
- Silver standard winners:
- Left Hand Corporation
- Simply Bulk Market
- Circle Graphics
- King Hand Car Wash And Detail Center
- UC Health - Longs Peak Hospital
- Cheese Importers
- Bronze standard winners:
- Jefes Tacos & Tequila
- ZTrip
- Goddess Garden
- Intercambio de Comunidades
- Flavor of India
- Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce
- Guacamole's Mexican Restaurant
