Find Regional Businesses with the Membership Directory Search
Going Green
The Greater Des Moines Partnership's Sustainability Committee is charged with examining opportunities to implement green/sustainable practices within business to realize cost savings, increase in energy efficiency and sustainable business practices. Leading companies recognize that increased sustainability can positively impact their profitability. In addition, it is a great way to engage employees and demonstrate commitment to our community.
Sustainability Circles now forming
Our second round of sustainability circles will kick off in spring 2011. The circles are essentially a small group, in-depth learning program focusing on implementing sustainable practices and strategies within our area businesses. Through these sustainability circles, companies examine their physical operations and internal work environment and identify ways to implement more sustainable approaches, all the while examining the return on investment and the business case for such investments.
The group will meet over a six-month period of tmie and examine:
Lighting
HVAC
IT & Equipment
Waste
The Building Envelope
Renewable Energy
And much more
Click here to view the informational brochure about the program.
Click here to view a video testimonial of a past participant.
The six-month program has a cost of $ 7,500 per company. Financing is available via the Iowa Energy Bank.
Questions? Contact Meg Fitz at mfitz@desmoinesmetro.com or 515-286-4934.
Environmental Impact Awards
Congratulations to the following companies who were recognized at the Environmental Impact Awards on May 18, 2011. The 2012 application process has closed, winners will be recognized Wednesday, May 16 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center. For more information contact us at (515) 286-4950.
2011 Winners:
- Built Environment: Iowa Home Crafters (Residential) and BNIM Architects (Commercial)
- Business Category: RDG Planning & Design and The Principal Financial Group
- Individual: Brad Gerndt
- Civic: Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance
Is your organization becoming more sustainable? If so, consider participating in the GREEN PLUS assessment tool.
Green Plus™ was designed to be the first small businesses and non-profit sustainability certification applying broadly across sectors. The program is not product or industry specific, but instead covers overall management practices in business, environmental, employee, and community areas. Green Plus™ participants to date include professional offices, landscapers, restaurants, hotels, cleaning services, florists, schools, logistics firms, local government departments, and non-profits.
Green Plus™ is a triple-bottom line sustainability certification program. The Green Plus Diagnostic Survey covers questions across three areas:
• employee policies and community engagement
• environmental impacts including water, waste, and energy use
• overall organizational performance, such as planning and financial monitoring
In 2010, the cost to Greater Des Moines Partnership members to join Green Plus is $350 and the cost to non-members is $550. The cost to sole proprietors (organizations with two or fewer employees) is currently $150.
What's new
- UPS has just released their ninth annual sustainability report. Learn about the processes and improvements that UPS has made in nearly every facet of their business.
- Green Infrastructure Valuation Guide: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits uses current research on green infrastructure performance and provides methods for calculating related benefits in water, management, energy, air quality, climate change and community livability.
- Want to know what other good things are going on in the metro? Four metro-area cities have joined forces to demonstrate ways that residents and business owners can save money by making an effort to become more "green." www.sharegoodenergy.org
- Des Moines ties for 24th place in EPA list of cities with the most energy efficient buildings.