Lakewood's Chartreuse Earns Green Plus Certification!

[David Lay]

The Institute for Sustainable Development announced that six organizations in four states earned Green Plus Certification in the third quarter of 2011. The most recent businesses to achieve full Green Plus Certification are:

Celito (Raleigh, NC)
Chartreuse (Lakewood, OH)
Fleetwood Fixtures (Leesport, PA)
Four Seasons Produce (Ephrata, PA)
National Council on Compensation Insurance (Boca Raton, FL)
Ocean Grown (Clearwater, FL)

“In a sustainable economy, ‘green jobs’ don’t only come from clean energy or energy efficiency businesses — they’re created by Main Street businesses becoming more competitive through sustainable practices,” said Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.Created by the North Carolina Research Triangle-based Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus is a road map for smaller enterprises looking to save money, make new connections and build their brand as they become better environmental and community stewards. Businesses in 18 states have undergone the rigorous Green Plus diagnostic process and more than 55 have attained the highest level of recognition within the program, Green Plus Certification.

Chartreuse is a boutique design firm in Lakewood, Ohio. A small but mighty group headed by Charity D’Amato, Chartreuse was started almost 10 years ago. Besides encouraging biking to work, using energy efficient lighting, and recycling all possible materials, Chartreuse took advantage of the Council of Smaller Enterprise’s sustainability programs and qualified for an energy efficiency grant which allowed the team to make more significant improvements to their space.Chartreuse also gives back to the community through many different avenues. The team is an avid supporter of the “We Run This City” program sponsored by the Lakewood YMCA as well as a host of other non-profits in the area. Chartreuse also recognizes the importance of supporting the arts community and hosts annual “Art in the Parc” events to feature local artists in their very own Petit Parc.“[Green Plus Certification] is not something that ends our ‘adventure to be more green’ but rather acts as a starting point in the journey to make this world a better place to live and work in…we are “green” with excitement!” said Charity D’Amato, founder of Chartreuse.

http://gogreenplus.org/2011/institute-f ... companies/