2009 Business Category
Andrew's Inn & Garden Cottages
After achieving our Florida Green Lodging status in 2007, Andrews Inn shifted its focus in 2008 to helping educate others about the importance of green living practices. As a boardmember on the Key West Innkeeper's Association, Tom Coward educates and encourages other inns to become green lodges. As a parent of two young children, Nancy Coward has dedicated her free time to educating children about green living in the hopes that it will become a way of life for the next generation. Realizing that all our efforts are towards a brighter future for the next generation, we believe that children hold the key to our success. We have been amazed by the community support for our efforts and encouraged by how much a small group can accomplish when united in purpose. Our thanks go out to GLEE and Love Your Island for your dedicated work towards a cleaner, greener Key West!
Bonsai Gift Gallery & Dive Shop
Through our diving operation we minimize impact on the environment by using the latest, most efficient, non polluting equipment and encourage cleaning the environment while diving. For the store we insist employees bicycle to work and then use minimum electricity and water once there. The latest high efficiency AC and fluorescent bulbs are used. Recycling and reusing are done whenever possible, and students are encouraged to clean up monofilament and other garbage found underwater. We have supported tertiary wastewater treatment through Reef Relief and by attending City Meetings.
Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club
We have taken many steps to help reduce water consumption, conserve energy and preserve the quality of air on the island. In the Keys, conservation is a number one priority. Our water is piped in from Miami, over 160 miles away and we are proud to be home of North America's only living coral reef. From our 750,000 gallon rain water cistern to the energy efficient appliances, programmable thermostats, sensor lighting and preventative maintenance, we continue our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle. Many of our guests have expressed interest in protecting the natural resources of our planet and can join in with a recycling bag placed in each guest room. We are proud members of the Florida Green Lodging Program with a one palm status as we work towards our second palm in 2009.
Coca Cola
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) is the world’s largest marketer; distributor and producer of bottled and can liquid non alcoholic refreshment. At the heart of CCE’s operations lies its local and global commitment to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. The CCE Big Pine Key Sales Center has the task of bringing CRS to life in the Florida Keys. In the efforts to reduce its local carbon footprint, the Big Pine Key center welcomed a first-of-its kind, hybrid electric delivery truck in October 2008. The hybrid truck is 37% more fuel efficient than traditional fleet vehicles, reduces overall emissions by 32%, and also produces fewer emissions when idling or stopped in traffic. With the help of this hybrid technology and other local environmental initiatives planned for this year, the Big Pines Key Sale Center greatly looks forward to doing its part in making the Florida Keys a greener place to live, work and visit.
Dri Wash 'n Guard International Waterless Car Wash
In December of 2002 I joined Dri Wash 'n Guard International, Waterless Car Wash as an independent distributor. It is my livelihood to conserve one of our most precious natural resources WATER. My commitment to transitioning my and our environment to "green" is my ultimate vision and passion. The employment of a hybrid vehicle and bicycle as my primary means of business and pleasure transport, the green conscious renovations to my house, recycling program, pursuit of healthy eating, the adherence to biodegradable cleaning products and sensitivity to conserving electricity are all part of my daily life. It is my hope to influence the hearts and minds of all those I come in contact with to make at least small changes in their daily routines that will lead to improvements in preserving our environment beginning with water.
Five Sixes Taxi
We believe our commitment to making a difference in the Keys and the State with the switch to Hybrids is monumental. The fact a small 2 by 4 Island can make an effort and change it's attitude towards our environment is enough to show the public an alternate way of transportation. Even if 1 out of every 10 passengers decide to purchase a Hybrid after riding in our taxi's, is positive. It take leaders in their respective industries to take the bold move and lead the way for change. With that said it is a shame that large taxi companies in this state are not being mandated to switch to cleaner fuel consumption. This has taken place in several states already and NY has seen a dramatic reduction in fuel omissions since they mandated all taxi's in NY need to make the switch to hybrids.
Leigh Ann's Coffee House
It just feels good, and our hopes are, that others will see what we have acclomplished and follow suit. As simple as that.
Mariners Hospital
Baptist Health Green Team's mission is to develop and recommend environmentally responsible strategies and initiatives; enable and monitor efforts to implement strategies for all facets of operations; practice sustainable conservation; be recognized as a best practice for the healthcare industry; and position Baptist Health as a corporate leader in environmental responsibility. All efforts at Mariners Hospital reflect the purpose of this mission. Changes to be implemented organizationwide in 2009 include reducing by 24% the amount of plastic in the Baptist Health spring water, switching to unbleached napkins made of recycled materials and distributing "green" tips regularly to the 12,000 employees. Research continues on best products to replace Styrofoam, reduce energy usage and eliminate chemicals in cleaning supplies.
RL Grant Construction
Starting in 2008, my construction business has become very dedicated to learning about the wide variety of Green building materials and methods, and in turn we hope to educate and motivate all of our customers to invest their dollars in Green recycled products for their new construction or renovation project(s). No effort or contribution is too small to make a "difference". We want our customers to be excited and proud of each and every effort or dollar they spend and also be at peace with a 'healthier' home. Financially, our goal starting in 2010 is - for every renovation or new construction project that incorporates atleast 25% green materials, that we will contribute minimum 1% of our profits to GLEE. Than as the market picks up, we hope to increase our contributions. (ex: $20,000 profit on a Green project, $200 GLEE donation).
The Banyan Resort
The Banyan Resort is leading by example and encourages all properties to "Go GREEN"! Since beginning the process we have not stopped looking for more ways to "Be GREEN" and have become quite involved in local efforts to spread the word and make it happen. We realize that reducing our footprint and respecting our natural resources is a necessity - for us, for business, for our lovely island and for the future.
The Hammocks at Marathon
At The Hammocks resort we work hard every day to balance our guests' needs with the need to care for our Florida Keys. We are acutely aware of the need to conserve our precious limited resources because if we don't there will be no tourism. Team Hammocks is an enthusiastic promoter of green living! We are very proud to have the distinction of the One Palm certification and look forward to working towards earning Two Palm status! We have dedicated individuals who constantly look for better ways to help save the environment that we are all dependent on for our livelihood.
Waste Management
Both myself and Waste management we are committed to be the leader in environmental stewardship, our goal is to be a partner in the community to help people review what waste they produce and how to reduce the volume and reuse and recycle what is left over and dispose if the material in the environmentally correct way.
WeBeFit Personal Training Center
Going Green has helped us provide a far superior product for our clients. In the old way of thinking, we would keep buying plastic water bottles and feel good about throwing them away in a recycling bin. In the new way of thinking, (buying permanent stainless steel bottles) we’re no longer burning fossil fuels shipping water around or spending hundreds of dollars a month on plastic. Our customers don't have to worry about BPA or other toxins leaching into their water. Better still, the stainless steel bottles stay cold through an entire workout...the plastic ones never did! It's an environmental change that's good for everybody involved. Using that approach in every aspect of our business has yielded significant monetary savings while providing a welcome, non-toxic environment for our clients and employees. Going green first class!
Deer Run B&B
Deer Run continues to fill a niche with our vegan and organic practices. Our green living, compassion towards animals and our environmental efforts make us a leader in the industry and our community. We realize in order to teach people about necessary change, we must lead by example. Our personal beliefs allow us to continue to transform Deer Run into a beacon while being a mentor. We continue to improve things here, reduce our own footprint and learn more everyday to bring even more improvements into action. We're damn proud!
First State Bank
For the past 4 years, First State Bank of the FL Keys has served as a leader within the community for its customers, local businesses, non-profit organizations & regulatory agencies to promote green strategies that reduce energy usage, reuse resources and increase recycling through example, incentives and education.
In 2008 alone, First State Bank contributed over $13,000 to further green efforts by supporting green initiatives & education including: Cash donations, 20 Green tip Newspaper Advertisements, 2 Statement stuffers with helpful Green Tips distributed to over 20,000 customers & provided over 170 paid volunteers @ Green Events throughout the Keys.
SOBOCYCLE
I don't really have a best part of my Green Living Nomination. I like to involve myself with projects that make it easier for people to walk or ride their bicycle around Key West. Working at the local level rather than the state or federal level is a lot more rewarding to me because I can actually create change in government and people. My business has always been green, I have always recycled, but in the last few years I have stepped it up a notch by getting rid of my truck and doing all of my, work, chores, errands and exercise at the same time. When I talk to people about incorporating their work out with their work or chores they give me a, "you've gone too far now" speech. I see it as being an extremely efficient use of time, energy and resources.
Yoga on the Beach
Yoga on the Beach is devoted to Green living, as a foundation of it's business and ethical mission. Choosing to teach classes outside, the owners sought a way to be 'one with nature', the undertone of Green living. Rather than separating from it, our classes inspire student's to explore being part of Nature, and to shed the teaching of many cultures to control or overcome Nature. We collaborate with what is available, working with the weather, light, temperature and conditions of each moment. Using pine trees to shade us, sand to support us and the sounds of Nature to encourage us each day, each moment is an opportunity to be present and in appreciation. We are students of Nature and she loves to bestow on us her teachings. Patience, gratitude, renewal, change are just some of the teachings we have learn from her. The sun heats us, the trees shade us, the wind is our bug spray and a rain storm reminds us to take a day off now and then. It is a joy.
The Banyan Tree Nursery
The Banyan Tree is a "Green Thumb Certified Nursery". Finding the right plant for the right place is easier said than done when it comes to gardening in the Florida Keys. Plants need to be drought and salt tolerant, withstand periods of flooding, be resistant to strong winds and able to survive in our alkaline soils. We are committed to providing our customers high quality plants that can survive under these unique growing conditions. We do our best to conserve natural habitats by refusing to sell plants that are Category I or II on the Nature Conservancy's Invasive Exotic Pest List. Water quality is also top on our list, we have significantly reduced the use of pesticides through Integrated Pest Management practices and offer our customer slow release fertilizer products.
Well-Tech Wellness Products
Well-Tech Wellness Products is proud to represent Shaklee products. Shaklee is the number one natural nutrition company in the United States, and was the first company to develop a "green" cleaning product in 1960 - before the word 'biodegradable' was in the dictionary. The first company in the word to be certified as having a net-zero impact on the environment, our cleaning products are effective, affordable, safe for the home, and safe for the environment. Their concentrated formulas reduce packaging waste, and drastically reduce CO2 emissions from trucks that would have to transport them. The company is involved in conservation and climate change efforts all around the world. Our products have been on the Calypso with Jacques Cousteau, and to the North Pole with Will Steger.
Island Water
Island Water has been able to greatly reduce the overall use of plastic water bottles in the Florida Keys, we estimate thousands of bottles a month are no longer being tossed out because of our products. Island Water has also saved thousands of gallons of fuel that are normally used to deliver the plastic bottles of water to customers. Overall, we are proud that for every customer we get it helps our environment a little bit at a time.
Margaritaville
We continue to be conscientious in our business endeavors as we are proud to be a part of this community. While we consider our employees to be our #1 asset, we also feel it is very important to be actively involved in many aspects of our community.
Mission Statement:
Our Mission is to be proactive for the Care, Respect, and Well-being of our employees, community and environment.
Northstar Resort Enterprises Corp
Green living is something we can all aspire to as there is no downside. The upside is a healthier planet and environment for our current and future generations to enjoy. My particular skill sets are in the construction industry and hotel operations. My take on how to go green is from the perspective of how to either mitigate or absorb the costs associated with being green, and to dispel the common belief that going green in construction is too costly. My documentation of the green initiatives for the resort on which we are working can be a free guide to show others that going green can be economically feasible. In the real world of building, one must be able to justify the cost to investors or lenders for the project. Hopefully we can put together a blueprint that others can follow.
SALT
In striving for a high standard of integrity and a qualified, customer oriented staff, SALT is one of the most respected companies in its field. SALT has designed and engineered several marine based and remote home oriented systems such as DC desalination, modular chilling, solar powered ice making, and a eutectic refrigeration product line. Currently, as the idea of "Green Living" has become more popular, SALT has begun installation of several of these systems in the Florida Keys. No longer is this technology just for remote living. It is now being used in everyday homes . SALT is ever dedicated to finding innovative ways to support self sustainable lifestyle systems, with minimal impact on our environment.
D'Asign Source
D’Asign Source can summarize our efforts by saying we are committed to doing what we can to dream of, design, and build a more sustainable Florida Keys – with development practices using xeriscaping & native plants, solar hot water systems, cisterns, tankless propane water heaters, ultralow flow plumbing fixtures, highefficiency HVAC systems, promotion of renewable products, & energy star appliances in buildings from Ocean Reef to Key West. We witness continued savings on electricity due to environmentally friendly changes, publish the Tropical Landscape Guide, use recycled paper products, added an electronics recycling station, raised over $1M for Habitat for Humanity, have representation on 2 Green Teams, strict oversight of governmental sustainable regulations, & sustainable research on efficient water use among other things.
Help Yourself Restaurant
When we opened the restaurant our goals were to offer genuine organic and healthy food with a large emphasis on education and being 'Green Inside and Out'. Our aim is to bring awareness not only to the importance of our food choices but also our lifestyle choices; we must look after our environment as well as ourselves. We are a new business and each week we are gradually implementing new strategies to help the environment and reduce waste. In the restaurant the biggest hurdle so far has been trying to get our customers to recycle. It is our hope that once a system has been developed we will be able to pass this onto others. We have big ideals and as we implement more and more 'green' practices it is our aim that we can be an example to others and be able to help others follow suit.