Published February 8 2013
Winners of the 2012 Eastside Green Business Challenge have been named. The Challenge's top 10 performers received special honors and a "Green Office Makeover" from Office Depot, sponsors of the Challenge.
The winners were announced last week at a recognition event at City Hall. The event included dinner, comedy and a ceremony where over 30 eastside organizations were recognized for their efforts.
Bellevue Councilmember John Stokes opened the ceremonies by thanking local businesses, saying "We love it when businesses come out and show their support of emerging trends, especially more responsible business practices. The jobs of tomorrow are in clean technology, and the jobs of today will only last if they are responsibly stewarding our natural and community resources."
Participants in the Challenge completed a sustainability performance scorecard, demonstrating the level of environmental and community improvement measures being practiced by their organization. Businesses utilized local partners and Challenge sponsors to improve their performance on the scorecard throughout 2012. Over 30 businesses participated- attending training sessions, taking advantage of free resources, and measuring improvements to their environmental, social, and financial bottom lines. The program was, and will remain in 2013, open to public and private entities across seven Eastside cities including Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Redmond, Renton and Sammamish.
The program had set ambitious targets for cost savings ($2 million) and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (10,000 metric tons) among participating businesses. When the final results were tallied, businesses reported $1.9 million in savings and a reduction of over 13,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from energy savings alone -- that's 2,895 cars taken off the road for one year! In addition, businesses reported saving over 1,000 tons of solid waste and 53 million gallons of water -- equivalent to 80 Olympic size swimming pools.
Top 10 award winners included:
Bellevue College Education Educating the Masses Award
HDR Engineering Consulting Green by Design Award
Harvest Moon Garden Design Residential Services Grassroots Award
Pagliacci Pizza Restaurant So Fresh and So Green Award
Service Linen Supply Business Services Green DNA Award
Accents Et Cetera Gift Baskets Retail/Wholesale Small Business, Big Commitment Award
Puget Sound Energy Utility Power to the People Award
GLY Construction Construction Relentless Pursuit of Green Award
Unity of Bellevue Faith Based Most Improved Award
Keeney Office Supply Business Services Local Legends Award
For more information or how to register for this program in 2013, visit the Eastside Sustainable Business Alliance. Pictures from the event can be viewed on Bellevue's Flickr page.