The City of Ashland's Green Business Program is a voluntary program that encourages environmental stewardship while practicing economical and ecologically sound business practices.  Flexible and attainable criteria are addressed for organizations of any size and type.   Catagories include energy, water, waste management/recycling, toxic reduction, transportation and education. 

Process:

Applicants meet with Green Business Team Staff and receive a detailed explanation of the program and are given a self-assessment and application.  Upon completion, a site walk through is conducted and a written report is provided by category listing the following:

Successes------What the business will be recognized for

Opportunities----Issues, projects, practices to work on over the

                       course of the next year

Challenges-------Issues, projects, practices to be worked

                        on which may involve more time and money

Requirements:

Each business is required to be DEQ compliant, have an active recycling program, track utility use, and accomplish something in each category.

Recertification:

Each year a business will meet with the Green Business manager to review what they have been working on so a to update the Successes, Opportunities and Challenges.

Each certified business will be listd on the Ashland Green Business webpagewith a business photo, description of Successes, Opportunities and challenges and active link to their business website.

Participation will bring numberous benefits to participating businesses including:

• Lower resource and wate disposal costs.
• The satisfaction of minimizing the impact on the natural environment.
• Recognition for working to build a stronger and healthier community.

We would like to acknowledge the following businesses as certified Ashland Green Businesses:

Ashland Food Cooperative

Recology Ashland Sanitary Service 

Brother's Restaurant

Dagoba Organic Chocolate Company

Dream Sacks

Eric Laursen Design & Building

First Congregational Church

Grilla Bites

pam lott {product}photography

Parkside lodging

Paddington Station

Shop N Kart

Standing Stone Brewing Co.

Stratford Inn

United Bicycle Institute

Full Circle Real Estate