Is your business eco-savvy?
Whether it's carpooling to work, hosting the Christmas party at a local establishment or using both sides of the paper for printing, your environmentally friendly habits could earn you the first Green Business Award.
Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) is working together with several community groups to organize an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 24. One of this year's highlights is the launch of the Green Business Award, which Squamish CAN hopes to turn into an annual honour.
"We only decided to do it really recently," said Kim Ebers, Squamish CAN member and award organizer.
"It was one of those great ideas that we were always a bit unsure about because it's so important that we do it right - but we just decided 'Hey, let's do it.'"
Local businesses are invited to submit a one-page summary describing their company's efforts and approach to going green in the marketplace. They are looking for any type of information about what environmentally friendly steps are being taken, challenges the company faces and how the business contributes to a truly sustainable society.
"This year, because it's the first year, we're trying to keep the application process very open and very simple," said Ebers. "It's more so the judging process will go a bit more in depth."
The competition only opened up last week and Ebers is hoping to get the word out.
"Hopefully with the exposure they get and the success that everyone sees, the green movement will get going."
Ebers said being environmentally conscious in the workplace is just as important as doing it at home.
"There's so much time spent in the workplace," she said. "You know, a lot of workers spend more time with their co-workers than their actual families."
All submissions are due by noon on Friday (April 16) and entries will be short-listed based on a points system in four different categories.
The first category is general commitment to the environment and includes items such as company mission statements and business sustainability plans.
Action is the second judging category and can include anything from email newsletters to using both sides of a page when printing.
"You may think [printing on both sides] looks tacky but it doesn't, it looks ethical," said Ebers.
The last two factors are communication and commitment to local "eco-nomy."
"It's all about your business's approach to other businesses in town," she said. "For example, do you hold meetings or Christmas parties at venues here in town or head to Vancouver and Whistler?"
Contestants will hear back by Monday, April 19 and finalists will be given a more detailed questionnaire. The award will be presented during Earth Day celebrations at Pavilion Park downtown. Earth Day celebrations run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features local vendors, community exhibits and local music groups, all based on the green theme.
"Our hope is that this year's publicity will help us push local businesses to add more and more sustainability features tot heir operations as they compete for the award every year," said Ana Santos, the Squamish CAN coordinator.
