Chattanoogans gathered for the a Green Drinks Networking Event to celebrate a first in Chattanooga - Crash Pad and Flying Squirrel becoming the first green|light certified companies in the city.
By going through the green|light program, both the Crash Pad and Flying Squirrel now have a formal Eco-Policy that demonstrates their commitment to operating with the triple bottom line in mind – People, Planet and Profit. The following are just some example sustainable strategies that they used:
· Green Cleaning Program
· Sourcing of Local Vendors and Office Supplies
· All LED or CFL lighting and renewable energy production
· Rainforest Alliance Certified to-go boxes
· Water Efficiency Strategies like Duel Flush Toilets
· Foot or Bike Transportation for Errands
· Planting Native Plants Requiring Zero Irrigation
John Ying, general manager of the Crash Pad said, “The Crash Pad and Flying Squirrel are honored to be the first green|light businesses.
Through green|light, we're not only highlighting the sustainable initiatives we've taken, but we're identifying other areas to target that previously weren't even thought of. Ultimately, these future goals will help us be more green and save more money.”
green|light is a voluntary program that highlights businesses that operate as responsible environmental stewards. It is intended for local businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact, save money and communicate to their customers their commitment to operating with our shared natural resources in mind. green|light is designed to add value to participants through increased brand value, energy and water savings, and increased employee satisfaction and productivity. This Chattanooga-grown program was constructed under the premise that keeping local dollars local benefits the community, and with the understanding that a collective approach to environmental conservation yields the most impact.
Participation in green|light does not require a change to a company’s business model, but rather addresses daily operations and their social and environmental impacts. To alleviate common obstacles in similar programs, green|light companies can lease or own their facility, and the pricing structure is based on the number of full-time employees rather than the square footage of the facility.
For more information on how a business can become green|light certified, call Chris LeCroy at 423-648-0963.