The Monadnock Green Business of the Year (GBOY) Award recognizes those socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the Monadnock Region that have developed innovative practices or programs while contributing to the economic vitality of the region. This year will be the fourth annual Green Business of the Year Award; nominations are being accepted now through March 1, 2013.
This honor is awarded by the Keene Cities for Climate Protection Committee in partnership with the Hannah Grimes Center, Monadnock Sustainability Network, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce and Monadnock Buy Local.
Last year’s award winner was The Works Bakery Cafe in Keene, NH which has made sustainability a priority. The firm “was founded on the triple bottom line principle: people, the planet and profit”. Some of the objectives included in its Employee Manual are: purchasing of environmentally responsible materials, recycled products with an emphasis on post consumer content; waste reduction; energy conservation; supporting local charities and non profits along with education of employees and customers about these practices.
From environmentally responsible renovations that both reduce the use of energy and maximize local content and sustainable materials to the careful choice of food suppliers and the items on the menu the emphasis is on sustainability. The Works has demonstrated waste reductions from donating day old leftovers and encouraging customers to bring refillable mugs to recycling and composting much of the waste stream. The commitment to the community ranges from charitable donations, support for fundraisers, serving as a drop point for CSA’s and encouraging staff volunteer activities.
The 2011 Monadnock GBOY winner was the Inn at Valley Farm of Walpole, NH. This unique local Inn features a 105 acre farm following organic and sustainable practices. While the farm supplies the Inn and integrates guests into the farm experience it also sells meats, eggs and produce to direct customers and selected local outlets. Environmentally and socially responsible purchasing is a priority and waste reduction through recycling and composting is an integral part of the operations. The farm invites guests and visitors to learn through the interpretative center explaining the sustainable practices from rotational grazing to no till planting.
The 2010 Monadnock Green Business of the Year winner was Filtrine Manufacturing of Keene, NH. Filtrine has been a leader in energy conservation for a long time. Starting with an energy audit in 2001 it has systematically reduced energy use including a complete update of its lighting including adding motion sensors in many areas, increasing the insulation when the new white reflective roof was installed, selecting more efficient equipment at upgrades and the installation of a solar water heater for process water heating. The firm has encouraged car pooling, switched to a biofuel blend, and has supported other efforts to reduce green house gases such as donating 100 trees to the city on its 100th anniversary.
So if you are a customer, an employee or the owner of a business that is committed to sustainable practices, nominations for the 2013 GBOY are being accepted now through March 1, 2013. Further information and an application can be found here.
Among the criteria for the GBOY award are energy use (efficiency and renewables), community involvement (volunteering, charitable donations), waste reduction (re-use, recycling, composting), sustainable purchasing (minimizing impacts of waste and transportation, recycled content), education and outreach (communicating initiatives with employees, suppliers and customers) and transportation (carpooling, anti idling, vehicle maintenance and procurement).
John Kondos is a founder of Home-Efficiency Resources, Solar Source, a division of the Melanson Co. and the Monadnock Sustainability Network, whose mission is to promote credible, sustainable/ “green” practices in the region.