Sun. September 27, 2009
BID Recognized as the First SB Now Certified Green Business in DC
WASHINGTON, DC – The Downtown Business Improvement District recently received recognition for its leadership with the Sustainable Business Network of Washington’s (SB NOW) Green Business Certification Pilot Program.
The Downtown BID is the first organization that SB Now audited successfully for eco-friendly practices in its daily operation. In 2008, the BID partnered with SB NOW, a non-profit membership organization for companies that integrate environmentally and socially responsible principles into their operations and strategy, to test the Green Business Certification Pilot Program. The holistic program audits building tenants’ operations, identifies where improvements can be made and then offers certification at four levels. Although focused on internal operations, the certification also helps the public determine whether businesses are truly green and sustainable, and to what extent.
“The Downtown BID identified actions we could take that were not only the right thing to do for the environment,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID, “but they paid direct dividends in the form of operational cost savings and a healthier work place that fosters employee productivity.”
The Downtown BID uses everything from soy-based inks and recycled paper to power-saving servers and computer monitors. Other actions are as follows:
- Provided online access to information resources and corporate communications
- Introduced variable work scheduling for employees to reduce the impact of commuting
- Educated stakeholders and Downtown BID employees about best practices that focus on water conservation, recycling, energy use and green purchasing
- Replaced inefficient and outdated technology and installed multi-use copiers with two-sided default standards
In addition to ”greening” internal operations, the Downtown BID is working with local and federal agencies to make Downtown an international model and proving ground for sustainability. The Downtown BID continues to undertake several initiatives, including promoting enhanced transportation options by supporting multi-modal transportation alternatives such as the DC Circulator, express buses, streetcars and bike sharing; educating stakeholders about legislative changes through workshops and training; and developing baselines and establishing benchmarks for Downtown building owners, property managers and tenants.
In addition to the Business Improvement District, two other Downtown organizations were recognized—AARP and Washington Gas Holdings—along with another local company at an awards reception held at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel on September 24. The organizations were acknowledged for leadership in six areas: water conservation and quality; energy efficiency and climate action; environmentally friendly procurement; waste reduction and recycling; pollution prevention; training and education; and benefits.
In 2008, the Downtown BID released a leadership paper, Greening Downtown DC: Strategies for Protecting the Planet, People and Profit, that focuses on Downtown BID partnerships and programs that support Mayor Adrian Fenty’s commitment to sustainability and to help owners, businesses, residents and visitors become effective environmental stewards of the Downtown.
The leadership paper is available on the Downtown BID website at: www.downtowndc.org/reports/leadership-papers.
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