By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green’s downtown businesses will soon have a chance to prove how green they really are. For two years now, Lucas County has had a sustainability program in place for businesses, according to Holly Myers, environmental and sustainability professor at Bowling Green State University.
Myers and her students would like to bring that “green business” program to downtown Bowling Green. Last week, Myers and three students presented their ideas to the City-University Relations Commission, which endorsed their concept.
To start the process, the businesses will be surveyed. To qualify as a green business, an operation must adhere to the values of environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and quality of life, Myers explained.
The survey covers the following topics:
- Waste reduction and recycling, with points for recycling items, electronic billing and printing double-sided copies.
- Green purchasing, with credit given for buying products in bulk, buying from local vendors and using recycled items.
- Energy conservation and efficiency, with points for using energy efficient lights, shutting down computers not in use, and participating in the city’s Efficiency Smart Energy Conservation Program.
- Alternative transportation for planning delivery routes, using hybrid fuels or employee ride sharing.
- Water conservation and pollution prevention for planting drought-resistant plants, using low-flow toilets or tankless water heater.
- Staff training and public awareness for offering customers green service options, or asking customers if they want a bag (to promote use of fewer bags).
- Community involvement by participating in local charitable events, offering volunteer opportunities to employees, or making annual donations to charity.
- Certifications or awards for safety or other efforts.
Businesses that do well on the survey will be awarded sustainable businesses certifications.
“We really think we can make some changes, recognize businesses for what they are doing,” and maybe convince them to do more, Myers said.
The downtown program will be a pilot for the rest of the community.
“It’s a great way to continue the leadership Bowling Green has shown over the years in adopting sustainability policies,” said Barb Ruland, a member of the city-university commission.
