Eastside Green Business Challenge Launches in Redmond

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, there will be a brownbag workshop and training session called: "Meeting the Eastside Green Business Challenge." This no-cost event will be hosted by challenge participant Lake Washington School District at its 's Sammamish Room (Redmond Town Center Location) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Redmond coordinator for the Eastside Sustainable Business Alliance (ESBA), Tom Hinman, describes the challenge further in this news release:

Businesses and non-profit organizations in Redmond are invited to a February 21 workshop providing free tools for cost-effective, resource-efficient business practices. Intended for COOs/CFOs, facility managers and 'green team' leaders, this is the Redmond launch of a friendly competition among businesses, non-profits and seven Eastside cities to see who can save the most money and natural resources in 2012.

The program format will include a panel moderated by Dr. Karl Ostrom, co-director of the Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability (NBIS), and featuring local perspectives from several business sectors and a brief case study. An Eastside Green Business Challenge overview and Scorecard training by program administrator Paul Andersson will follow, accompanied by informational resource tables after the formal program.

Introducing concepts, resources and training, the Green Business Challenge is based on templates successfully implemented by ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) in Chicago, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C.  For example, Chicago businesses saved $5 million, cut energy use by nearly 9 percent and reduced carbon emissions by 54,000 metric tons in the first year of their challenge.

With components covering energy, waste, transportation, water, employees and community, Green Business Challenge members benefit by learning about:

• Financial savings
• Technical assistance
• Resource conservation
• Community recognition
• Innovation and best practices
• Brand enhancement
• Quantifiable results
• Local case studies

Bring a brown bag lunch and come start 2012 by learning about performance enhancements and ways to set new environmental goals. 

RSVPs are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. To register for this
free event, email Paul Andersson, ESBA program administrator, at PAndersson@BellevueWA.gov. For other questions, contact Tom Hinman, ESBA’s Redmond coordinator at 425-216-3723 or tom@thinmanassoc.com.

About ESBA: 

The Eastside Sustainable Business Alliance works to support the adoption of sustainable business practices among local businesses by offering training, resources and networking opportunities that increase environmental, economic and social prosperity on the Eastside.  Members of the Alliance include the cities of Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah, Mercer Island and Renton with staff support at the City of Bellevue.  One of only four such initiatives to be funded in a national competition, the Eastside Green Business Challenge is partially supported by a grant from Office Depot and ICLEI USA.

For more on the Green Business Challenge and to learn about the Eastside Sustainable Business Alliance (ESBA), please go to esba.sustainableeastside.org.