Certified October 9, 2013

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Accuraty's employees already think green -- at least two of their ten employees walk or bike to work. They purchase equipment and office supplies (monitors, etc) that are green-friendly or have recycled content. Accuraty checked GreenSeal for a non-toxic whiteboard paint before painting their walls in the office so they can write notes on the walls, eliminating the need to use paper. They dispose of batteries and old computers & monitors to proper recycling facilities. They don't buy fancy new stuff when old stuff will suit their needs -- their only printer is from 1996, and they still are using the toner from 2003! They use an online fax service to send or receive faxes. They also run all their small electronic devices (mice, keyboards, etc.) from rechargeable batteries!

Certified October 21, 2013

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Bead In Hand encourages its staff to embrace a green philosophy and to make sustain¬able decisions. We re-use and/or recycle everything possible; we stock recycled content office paper, envelopes, & paper towels, re-use all paper and file folders until they cannot be used any more, and recycle toner cartridges when finished.  Since working with the Illinois Green Business Association, we have adopted new policies and practices that are better for the environment and our business.

Bead in Hand also got new T-8 fluorescent bulbs and LED bulbs for overhead fixtures and the result has been great & cost efficient! Waste reduction is where Bead In Hand really excels at its green practices.  With employees who are already enthused about recycling, it doesn’t take much to get them interested in findings other ways to save.  Paper is not discarded until all usable parts are used, and they make a lot of “recycled” jewelry, a term than includes glass bottles that are sliced and tumbled into a variety of jewelry components, to the use of old hardware (nuts, bolts & washers) as design elements. Making their own paper beads is fun AND good for the environment!  

Certified October 21, 2013

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An independent, full-service realty group,
Beyond Properties has built a reputation for exceeding clients’ expectations
through service and through knowledge of Chicagoland’s diverse real estate
markets. Buying or selling a home or commercial property can be an enjoyable
experience when coupled with our agent’s professionalism, insight and
willingness to go beyond on your behalf.

Beyond Properties is an environmentally
conscious company that adopts green practices in all aspects of company
decision-making.  This includes embracing efforts to recycle, to reuse
products rather than discard them and to reduce consumption of natural resources
wherever possible.  Our sustainability policy is extremely robust, and we
encourage our employees and clients to embrace a green lifestyle at work and at
home.

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(Champaign Office) Sustainability is not a new concept for BLDD. BLDD’s design professionals focus on creating buildings that responsibly utilize land, materials, energy and water during their construction and operate efficiently throughout their entire life cycle. BLDD in Champaign participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program, utilizes paperless and on-screen editing as much as possible, provides recycling bins for employees at every work station, offers reusable dishes and flatware for employees in kitchen area, re-purposes all boxes for shipping and utilizes web-based calendars.

Read a White Paper on BLDD's green efforts >>

Certified May 10, 2013

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The Economic Development Council leads initiatives to help businesses and communities in the McLean County area prosper. They have been a leader in engaging the community on issues pertaining sustainability and green business practices, having been an active member and sponsor for the Bloomington-Normal Community Sustainability Forum.

Mike O’Grady, Director of Government & Investor Relations and Interim CEO of the EDC, on his experience with the IGBA Green Business Certification Program: 

We learned about cost saving practices we could implements in our office that also could be done in our homes, such as changing out the aerators on a faucet to save water, setting our printers so they default to two-sided printing. We also learned that it made good business sense to adopt new polices of operations. Overall, the experience working with the IGBA was interesting and educational. 

Read more about their green efforts with IGBA's White Paper >>

Certified February 15, 2013

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Saving energy and resources are a top priority at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. They have been able to decrease electricity costs while increasing overall productivity each year. As part of their green efforts, they have converted almost 100% of their lighting to high efficiency LEDs, which use just a fraction of the electricity used by regular bulbs. 

The Marriott also utilizes 100% recycled paper, implemented motion sensor lights and water conserving faucets, recycles, has LED lights in all rooms and ballrooms, and donates food waste to compost for their community. Marriott employees turn off lights and electronics when they are not being used and facility staff  turn off chillers and the HVAC system to cools guest rooms when the temperature outside drops below 45 degrees.

The Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center strives to be a green business both for the hotel industry and the Bloomington-Normal community. The staff care about their guests and want every stay to be the best it can while also considering the environment. The Marriott hopes to continue adding green efforts to the hotel and will continue to spread the word. To read more about being green at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott, they have provided a Green Meetings Info Sheet on their website. 

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Body N’ Sole is primarily a running and swimming gear store started in 1979. They stock recycled content office paper, envelopes, paper towels, and remanufactured toner cartridges and recycles them when finished. They centralize employee schedules in a single location and have a drinking fountain for employees. They clean light fixtures regularly for optimal light output and use task lighting where extra light is needed. 

Since working with the Illinois Green Business Association, they have installed faucet aerators and ceiling fans, and are currently looking at several renewable energy options to install on-site. Body N’ Sole also sponsors the Illini Marathon and assists with over 40 running/walking events in the area.

Read IGBA's White Paper of Body N' Sole's green efforts >>

Certified October 16, 2015

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Certified July 9, 2012

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Going green at Busey involves simple practices such as turning off lights and computer monitors when not in use, to making educated decisions on heating and cooling methods. Additionally, Busey offers a progressive hub of online services–including ebank, eBills and eStatements– allowing customers a convenient banking experience while supporting efforts to be sustainable. Demonstrating responsibility through action, Busey continues to develop and enhance a sustainable approach to business to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

“As community members it is important that we look at improving our quality of life now and for the future. Taking a proactive approach to finding the best way to use our resources will allow us to meet this goal,” says Don Schlorff, Executive Vice President of Corporate Administration at Busey. “By carefully reviewing how we do business, we are making changes that positively impact our organization and also improving the communities we serve.”

Read a White Paper on Busey's corporate sustainability efforts >>

Certified October 21, 2013

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Founded in 1998 by Laura and Andrew Maychruk, Buzz Café is a place that IS Oak Park.  We believe good food, community and family are the ties that bind, and the café embodies those ideals wholeheartedly.For the past 15 years Buzz Café has been a vibrant part of the Oak Park Arts District showcasing local art and music, serving as a community center and serving delicious food and coffee! Specializing in locally sourced, organic, vegan and vegetarian foods as well as fair trade coffees from around the world, Buzz Café has become an Oak Park tradition.

Certified May 22, 2014

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MTD 101: We Are MTD introduces you to the services and facilities the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provides and operates. Riding public transportation provides more than just a means to a destination. Public transit saves money, promotes healthy lifestyles, helps the environment, and develops our communities. 

Certified October 21, 2013

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As part of a business association, we have a direct impact on their membership and all their green efforts as displayed at year-round events are seen by the community. As a community organization,  they have the capacity to impact other community leaders, and they believe that having gone  through IGBA’s green business certification program has brought awareness to how they conduct business inside the office as well as outside. They strive to create real change in the Oak Park community and in peoples’ personal lives!

Certified December 11, 2014

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The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment.  The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.

Certified October 21, 2013

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Eyrie Restaurant is a restaurant that purchases food locally from Testa Produce (Chicago) and Gordan Food Services (Grand Rapids, MI). They also do their best to think of menu items with ingredients they can find in the Midwest and purchase locally and in season. They have  all-ENERGY STAR rated appliances and “Use Water Wisely” signs in the kitchen and in the restaurant, and only serve water to patrons upon request. Their building has a recycling program so everything that can be recycled will be. Lastly, over 50% of employees walk to work or use public transportation!

Working with IGBA’s green business certification program has helped Eyrie take a major step to becoming truly sustainable. Students in the Culinary Institute at Robert Morris University who work at Eyrie leave more aware of the environmental challenges of the restaurant industry.

Certified May 14, 2013

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Founded in 1985, Gorski Reifsteck Architects is a regionally-based architecture firm in Champaign specializing in architecture, interior design and construction management services. They have a diverse work force of 13 people.

Certified October 21, 2013

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Green Home Experts wanted to walk the walk of being green in their operations. They are a community education resource on sustainable home practices and products, and they host educational events to teach people about what they can do – such as organic lawn care, chicken-keeping, and home canning. Green Home Experts recycles as many materials in the shop as can be recycled, power off their equipment when idle, and turns off lights at the end of the day, and trains their employees and volunteers on their green policies and procedures. They are cognizant of their energy and waste use, and they continually look for ways to reduce their impact. Customers can bring a bottle into the shop and refill it with eco-friendly cleaning supplies to cut down on packaging. They also have a graywater system in their bathroom and a highly efficient 0.8gps toilet! 

Certified August 15, 2013

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Green It Up! Gift Stop, formerly known as EcoManiacs, is an environmentally and socially conscious boutique.  We specialize in toys, books, games, apparel, and accessories produced from recycled, eco-friendly, and sustainable materials.  Located in busy downtown LaGrange IL, the Green It Up! team is committed to bringing the highest quality of eco-friendly toys and merchandise to the Chicagoland community. 

Green It Up! Gift Stop is rapidly becoming known as the go-to teacher store for the early childhood set, regularly exhibiting our toys and more at Illinois childcare and educator conferences.  We also host fundraisers for your organization and offer private parties, either in-store or at-home, with generous hostess incentives.  Green It Up! Gift Stop, Where Fun and Sustainability Meet! 

Certified October 21, 2013

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The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a professional non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for trees and to promoting research, technology, and the professional practice of arboriculture. As an international tree arborist certification body, ISA wanted to “walk the walk” of being a green organization. Since enrolling in our green business program, ISA has implemented many new green company policies, has institute monthly sustainability education for its 35 employees ("Green Minute"), installed occupancy sensors and faucet aerators, and has sponsored several community-based programs such as Big Brother-Big Sister, A Woman’s Fund, TIMES Center for Men, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and the Arbor Day coloring contest for kids in Champaign-Urbana.

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Ippatsu is a premier hair salon in the heart of downtown Champaign. Ippatsu strives to be the most reliable and reputable source for all hair-related needs and send its customers out into the world with a fresh new look! They challenge you to come experience the Ippatsu difference for yourself. Ippatsu had a green philosophy before hearing about the IGBA, and has since taken even more strides to green their business. Ippatsu recently installed blinds in the front windows to reduce solar gain in the summer, donated old salon chairs to a local non-profit, regularly stocks organic and eco-friendly hair products, encourages employees to turn off equipment by power strips when not in use, and donates hair to Matter of Trust to assist in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill (http://www.matteroftrust.org/).

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The Intermezzo Café, proceeds from which benefit the Center’s extensive artistic programming, have implemented many practices that help raise the consciousness of their customers and staff about their green efforts. Krannert Center’s Intermezzo Café purchases organic, shade-grown, fair-trade coffee. They incorporate organic foods as regularly stocked items and they also stock biodegradable to-go containers for customers. They only give napkins, condiments, and utensils for to-go orders upon request. They recycle cans, plastic, and glass. They also have stickers posted by the kitchen sink encourage employees’ wise water use!

Read more about the Intermezzo Café's green efforts with a White Paper feature >>

Certified November 14, 2013

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Loyola Biodiesel collaborates with classes to clean up fuel before it’s finished. They look forward to installing many sustainable improvements in their new facility – greenhouse with rainwater to wash the fuel and clean it with plants, then break it back down to water with nutrients to water the plants! They will be hearing the building with their process in the fall, and building on the geothermal system that will be in place!

Their product is already green – they turn glycerin, the bi-product of biodiesel, into soap, but hope to kick it up a notch. They will filter out more biproducts from the oil and give it to the organic research farm of the Loyola School of the Environment.

Loyola Biodiesel buys one of their process chemicals in 2-lb bottles, then cleans and refills them and labels them with soap! They don’t need to buy new containers for the soaps.

Their ultimate goal is to replace all of Loyola’s hand soap supply next year. Eventually, they would like to replace all cleaners and produce a new floor and countertop cleaner.

They reuse some of the 55 gallon drums to donate to art classes, that paint them and sell them to the community as rain barrels.

They also take old clothes that Salvation Army won’t accept and cut them up to make rags each year!

There are so many projects they can implement, and the greening process helps them continue to think along these lines to make the process even more efficient and streamlined. With IGBA’s certification, they can have an independent verification of green practices and grow more ideas to implement. They hope to shepherd the certification process to other student-run programs at the University, and pave the way for other businesses.

They want to promote themselves as a green business and they hope to see a larger IGBA presence in Chicago!

Certified December 12, 2014

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Who we are: We are a family-governed organization whose programs reflect the collective aspirations, and diverse perspectives and interests of its members.  We provide a forum for learning and a platform for individual and collaborative family engagement in philanthropy and community service.

Where we work: We work in East Central Illinois and in family member communities.We share a commitment to honor our heritage in East Central Illinois, where the Lumpkin family operated a business for more than 100 years.  Fifty percent or more of our grant-making dollars are allocated to East Central Illinois and all of our community programs take place in this region with deep community involvement.A significant part of our grant-making takes place in family member communities across the country, encouraging family member engagement, and connecting our work in East Central Illinois to a rich diversity of ideas, experiences and perspectives.

How we work: We understand The Foundation's role as existing along a continuum - from responsive grant-making to the execution of our own programs that aim to spur innovation, foster leadership and encourage new approaches to old problems.We appreciate the special needs of the mostly small and rural communities where we work, and we do our best to leverage additional resources and enhance local philanthropy.We strive to be a learning organization. We believe in action, evaluation and continuous improvement. We support collaboration and build networks to support learning, develop understanding of issues, and encourage work across organizations and sectors.

Certified August 21, 2013

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The Enclave at M2 offers companies the ability to be small and dream big. Tenants enjoy shared reception and phone services, access to conference rooms and many other perks. But most importantly, they enjoy the freedom to pursue their dream with a singular focus while working with others in a dynamic office setting.

Certified October 21, 2013

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Majamas values the environment as much as their business. As a textile company, their goal is to leave the smallest eco- footprint and adopt as many environmentally friendly practices as possible. From working with the IGBA green business certification program, they have increased their awareness even more -- implementing more ways to run Majamas as efficiently and responsibly as they can. They stock organic clothing and baby products to reduce the amount of chemicals that we wear and use – they select clothing for its environmental impact as well. They also stock products that are as local as possible. They recycle all the materials they can and reuse whenever possible.

Certified November 6, 2013

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Built in 1967, the nine-story Mark Twain Hotel in Peoria, Illinois has undergone massive renovations, transforming the once commonplace chain motel into Peoria's Premier Boutique Hotel. Its metamorphosis has produced an attitude and atmosphere which consistently surprises and delights guests seeking an oasis in Downtown Peoria, Illinois. Our guests are greeted by a style that is hip, yet warm and comfortable. Sink into the soft leather chairs, cozy up to the custom-built oak fireplace, and relax to the sounds of upbeat music and friendly conversation. Open up your laptop - you're connected. Grab a cup of Starbucks coffee in the library & relax. This is the Mark Twain Hotel and yes, you're still in Peoria. 

Certified April 25, 2014

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The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that serves nearly 1,000 businesses and organizations in McLean County and the surrounding area. Our full-time staff is passionate and dedicated to serving the business community and helping our membership thrive. 

Our organization has something for everyone with membership benefits that include: marketing opportunities, professional development, advocacy, healthcare solutions and much more! 

Vision: The vision of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce is to be a vibrant, progressive business community that works together to make McLean County a great place to do business. 

 Mission: To support our members, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce promotes local commerce, advocates business perspectives, creates relevant programs, and establishes relationships for business success.

Certified December 12, 2014

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Certified October 21, 2013

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Certified October 21, 2013

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Oak Park Township provides relief to financially struggling community members; it funds and administers many programs for area seniors and youth; and provides funding to various mental health agencies through its Community Mental Health Board.

Oak Park Township is now certified a green business through the IGBA Green Business Certification Program, which helps businesses go green across nine areas of sustainability. The program is funded by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and administered by Triton College.

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(Champaign Office) RATIO Architects, Inc. believes in defining spaces to create places with the goal of enhancing community. With offices in Indianapolis, Raleigh and Champaign, RATIO’s Champaign office decided to take their commitment to the local community and to sustainability a step further by enrolling in IGBA’s program. RATIO offers brown bag lunches to educate their employees on sustainability and shares their energy usage data to encourage conservation, completed a carbon footprint calculator to assess their greenhouse gas emissions and performs local errands on bike or foot. They also recycle cans, plastic and glass.

Read more about RATIO's green commitment on their green certification White Paper >>

Certified October 21, 2013

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River Forest Chocolates cares about the packing and products they use and strives to be a responsible consumer of resources. They have changed their everyday practices and procedures in the shop and trained new volunteers to follow them. River Forest Chocolates now uses less water, recycles more materials, turns down lights and turns off power draws when idle. They have considered many new green practices and assessed how their purchase and manage waste to make a difference in how they operate! They believe that many little things businesses do can make a big impact on the environment. They help educate customers of their responsible use and encourage other businesses to incorporate green information with the hope that they too can use the process in their everyday lives!

Certified July 24, 2012

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Rogards has been in business for over a hundred years. They are a member of the largest office supply buying cooperative in the world. Their global purchasing power allows them to pass savings on to you while the ease of this ordering site saves you time. Although the site has changed, you will find that you are still receiving the same personalized service for which Rogards is well known. They provide next-day delivery for over 35,000 items.

Rogards is committed to increasing recycling efforts. They now recycle a wide variety of items, including paper, plastic, glass, cans, cardboard, batteries (both single-use and rechargeable), CFLs, electronics, scrap metal, pallets, toners and inkjet cartridges, and will soon begin recycling pens. Rogards has reduced their waste by nearly 50% since starting the certification process! They use a number of other recycled content supplies, including paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, post-it notes, paper bags, and chair mats. Rogards is also committed to reducing waste by reusing or recycling nearly 100% of incoming packing materials.
 
Rogards installed faucet aerators in their sinks and reduced water levels in their toilets to conserve water, installed more energy-efficient exit lights with the help of IGBA, and began converting to CFL bulbs. They completed an energy audit with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center to pinpoint ways to continue reducing energy consumption in the future.

Rogards is committed to assisting other businesses in their efforts to adopt greener practices. They offer reusable/refillable office supplies, such as pens, pencils, calendars, and white boards, as well as recycled content paper and paper products, toners, chair mats, trash bags, and recycle bins. They offer bulk break room and bathroom supplies and non-toxic, biodegradable soaps and cleaners. They also carry unbleached paper products, rechargeable batteries, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and make all these products easy to find in their Green Catalog.

Read a White Paper about Rogards' green efforts >>

Certified May 20, 2015

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Russ Rybicki is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® specializing in Environmentally and Socially Responsible Investing. He has almost 15 years of financial advisory experience helping individuals and businesses work toward their financial goals while using sound investment strategies supporting the values that are important to his clients. Russ will sit down with you to help you clarify your goals, values, and risk tolerance using the Triple Bottom Line: People, Profit, and Planet.

Russ is a Founding Circle Advisor of SharePower Responsible Investing, Inc.™, a memberowned financial services firm specializing in Socially Responsible Investing with advisers based throughout the country. He is a registered representative with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Contact Russ to learn how he can help you reach your financial goals without undermining your aspirations for a better society.

Contact us!

russrybicki@emailsri.com

ndietrich@emailsri.com

Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction:
15 E Main St. Suite 114
Westminster, MD 21157
Russ Rybicki, AIF®, is a registered representative of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and SharePower Responsible Investing, Inc.™are not affiliated

Certified October 21, 2013

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While the term “going green” has crossed the lips of most everyone these days, community, business, and municipal leaders need support with knowing which programs and strategies to implement as they focus on their immediate priorities of balancing budgets, delivering core services and products, and meeting the expectations of constituents. The dilemma of not having a sustainability team to help guide decisions about how to achieve sustainability objectives and where to invest resources has led many eco-concerned communities toward limited action despite their best intentions.

Certified October 9, 2013

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Shatterglass Studios is a full service film and video production company dedicated to producing high-quality, high-impact new-media. Based in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Shatterglass Studios is a creative agency of young filmmakers who pride themselves on understanding the intricacies of influential and meaningful new-media, video production and film. We create television commercials, corporate branding videos, industrial videos, promotional videos and films.

Certified September 19, 2016

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Taylor Studios, Inc. (TSI) has had an active employee-driven recycling program for 7 years and the staff have clearly marked containers. The recycle plastic, cans, cardboard and glass even though the city doesn’t have an easily accessible recycling system.

The TSI building is the former site of a Wal-Mart.

They are looking more at office supplies and their main office supplier, Rogards Office Plus, is an IGBA green certified business and offers a green product packet.

The majority of their fluorescent lights are upgraded to T8s and are in the process of changing out the rest. They have programmable thermostats in office rooms, and they don’t have an HVAC system in the warehouse room, but just have fans or small heaters for employees if they are working out there when there are variable temperatures.

TSI has a green blog post every other week, and they are aiming to go paperless, but it’s a cultural change and workplace transformation that needs to occur! They are working on getting sign-off from employees to get hard copies, but they’re in the process!

TSI enrolled in IGBA’s green business certification program because it’s in line with the company mission and overall culture. They do a lot of work with nature centers and do a lot of educational work, so they’ve been exposed to sustainability for quite a while! IGBA, an independent third party source, can back their claims and help their processes, and they’re excited to tell their customers and community about it!

Certified April 8, 2013

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The Urbana Business Association’s job is to promote Urbana as a dynamic place to live, work, and do business, and therefore has a vested interest in not just the well being of citizens and business but also in the environment – healthy citizens and businesses cannot function in an unhealthy environment. 

From enrolling in the IGBA’s green business certification program, the Urbana Business Association realized that there were already many green practices they were doing intuitively on a daily basis. For the rest of their green certification, as a three-person office, many changes and policies were able to be implemented immediately because the entire team was on the same page. 

UBA set up a list of office supplies at Rogards Office Plus in Champaign that have recycled content so that when they call an order, Rogards (also a green certified business with IGBA) knows exactly which recycled product it is and has price quotes ready. UBA has saved money in the office by switching to a water pitcher and encouraging reusable water bottles -- cutting the expense of buying cases of bottled water ($10 a month in savings!) and reducing the amount of discarded packaging. They have also initiated an ink cartridge recycling program where businesses and individuals can drop off used cartridges with a business card to be entered into a quarterly raffle.

Read a White Paper on UBA's green efforts >>

Certified July 15, 2013

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Vitesse Cycle/Often Running makes sure that any packaging materials are either reused or recycled to reduce the amount that ends up in landfills. They use programmable thermostats to save energy, and have ensured that both their staff and suppliers are made aware of their sustainability policies. Being green has always been embedded in their culture, but through working with the Illinois Green Business Association, Vitesse Cycle staff have adopted new policies and practices that are better for the environment.

Vitesse Cycle /Often Running also has a drop off point for old bikes to be recycled or repurposed at the West Bloomington Revitalization Project, and offers a unique Bike Buddy program that links new bikers with more experienced commuters -- encouraging more people in Bloomington-Normal to ride their bikes to work.