‘People, profit and planet:’ Local organizations recognized for sustainability efforts

The efforts of 27 local organizations to achieve a more sustainable future was recognized Thursday during the city’s second annual Sustainable Business Program Celebration. 

The virtual event honored businesses and nonprofits that are working to reduce their environmental impact, act socially responsible and contribute to the economic vitality of Longmont, according to the city.

Recognition is based on a point system that weighs potential impact of sustainability efforts, ease of implementation, time and monetary commitment and employee involvement, said Berenice Garcia-Tellez, city economic sustainability specialist. 

The Sustainable Business Program has three recognition levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Prizes are given to the top three businesses, one at each level. Honorable mentions also are given to the best environmentally friendly and best socially responsible businesses. The No. 1 contributor to the local economy also is recognized, Garcia-Tellez said.

“Businesses fill out weighted points questionnaires with all the sustainability actions they have done for the year using the GreenBiz Tracker platform, (which) is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency ... Winners are selected based on how many weighted points questions they answered,” she said.

Andrew Quillen, owner of Gold-level honoree Main Street Mat Company, a Longmont-based industrial laundry business specializing in washing and drying mats for businesses across the Denver metro area, said sustainability efforts have been an ongoing effort. “The biggest thing we always look for are things that not only make us good stewards of the environment but also make us or save us money,” he said. “We look for things that are a good fit for both.”

As the third generation working at a business that has been in Longmont since 1910, he said his family has always stayed ahead of the curve, doing things such as producing their own energy, having a waste treatment plan and reusing all of their water.

“(The program) was an easy and natural fit,” he said. “We were already doing most but there were some things in there that we could still do … we did as many things to work with the program.”

Simply Bulk Market also received Gold-level recognition and earned honorable mention as the best environmentally friendly business.

Owner Devin Quince said the whole focus of the zero-waste business is sustainability.

“Our goal every day is to help our customers live a more sustainable life by reusing and refiling containers, not using single-use plastics,” he said. “(My wife, Heidi, and I) have always been about the whole 3 Rs (reuse, reduce, recycle) ...  it's been the way we've lived, we grew up this way.”

Since they started shopping at the store in 2010 and later bought it in 2016, Quince said he and his wife have noticed a marked change in the Longmont market as it’s become “more environmentally conscious.”

“Longmont is changing and every day I see more and more new customers who come in and realize we are there, especially the new generations,” he said. “It’s great to find other businesses choosing to do this, as well as customers who are looking those (businesses) up and supporting more sustainable businesses, regardless of what it is.”

Garcia-Tellez said the COVID-19 pandemic presented the program with the opportunity to reach out to minority-owned businesses, especially Spanish-speaking business owners in the community.

“We built trust and identified resources to help them navigate the financial options to support their economic recovery efforts,” she said. “Some are already retrofitting lighting and old kitchen equipment by taking advantage of the city and county rebate programs. Although these businesses might not get a high-level certification, they are already excited and committed to continue implementing sustainability actions.”

Since the launch of the program, 41 businesses have been certified as sustainable and 124 have been engaged through the program. Last year, 27 businesses received certification, 13 of which were minority owned, 11 being Latinx or Hispanic, Garcia-Tellez said during her presentation at the virtual event. 

Other program achievements in 2020 included 13 businesses receiving state mini-grants to get free energy- and water-efficient appliances, five restaurants replacing kitchen equipment through the PACE equity program, 18 businesses offering living wages to employees, and three business owners joining a Urban Sustainability Directors Network collaboration with the city of Holland, Michigan, as program ambassadors, one of which is Haydee Covadero Vazquez.

Owner of Oasis Fresh Fruit, Caraveo Vazquez received Bronze recognition at Thursday’s event.

She said she joined the program in 2020 hoping to learn more about sustainability and reduce her business’ carbon footprint and improve its bottom line.

“(Garcia-Tellez) helped us to change our lights to LED, our sink nozzles to help us save water and we got in the PACE program to change our fridges and the trash bins, among other things,” she said, adding she is happy about the changes and sustainability is something she will continue to work on moving forward. 

“I think having a sustainable business is for the satisfaction and well-being of the employees, for a better quality of our products and to take care of our environment,” she said. “All of this is to improve the current state of our society, to not compromise the lives of our next generation.” 

The Sustainable Business program is part of the city’s Sustainability Plan adopted in 2016 and launched in 2019, Garcia-Tellez said. The program is based on the “triple bottom line of sustainability” — people, profit, planet, she said. 

“The purpose is to support and recognize all businesses, including nonprofits and farms, (that are) making substantial efforts to reduce their environmental footprint, show commitment to the community and contribute to Longmont's local economy,” Garcia-Tellez said.

The past year was filled with challenges for people and businesses, and this is an opportunity to celebrate the commitment of local organizations to their community, Garcia-Tellez said. 

“In times of financial crises, no one expects businesses to take extraordinary measures to help their many stakeholders. However, the bold and creative steps these businesses take today to show their commitment will define their legacy tomorrow,” she said. "We really encourage others to join the program."

Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin praised businesses for their sustainability efforts during difficult and uncertain economic times.

“We want to congratulate all of you, especially during the time of coronavirus, for taking some actions to implement sustainable measures,” she said during the virtual event. “We are thankful and hope that you have seen an increase to your profit, a reduction to your costs of operations and promotion of the benefits to your employees.” 

And the honorees are ...

Businesses and nonprofits recognized at Thursday's Sustainable Business Program Celebration:

Gold

• Simply Bulk Market — Best Environmentally Friendly Business

• Main Street Mat Company — Best Gold

• Colorado Aromatics

• PCD Engineering

Silver

• Philanthropiece Foundation — No. 1 Business Contributor to the Local Economy

• Flavor of India — Best Silver

• New Edison Lights

• Premier Members Credit Union (north and south Longmont branches)

• Circle Graphics

• Print Experts

• Guacamole's Mexican Restaurant

• SNOW Apparel

• Taco Star

• Hacienda Jalisco Restaurant

Bronze

• Abbott & Wallace Distilling Company — Best Bronze

• Éclipse Glove — Best Socially Responsible Business

• Tetra Tech

• Tacos Al Molcajete

• Noa Noa Fitness Club

• Burn & Tone

• Rosario’s Restaurant

• Benny's Tacos

• Visit Longmont

• Flores Insurance

• Oasis Fresh Fruit

• Polleria La Fogata