Sustainable Business Program
sustainable salida
Become a Sustainable Business
Want to become a Sustainable Business?
- Fill out the Sustainable Business Form
Once you submit the form, we will review your submission.
Make sure your business meets the minimum requirements shared below, in its respective category. If it does not, you now know what to work towards!
- Participating businesses will receive a Sustainable Business Certificate to display and have the chance to be nominated for the Sustainable Business of the Year, plus support from staff and volunteers to continue sustainable efforts.
- Each business will also receive a shoutout in GARNA’s newsletter, plus a spotlight on our socials- both Facebook & Instagram.
Minimum requirements to become a Sustainable Business:
Administrative/Community & Educational Services:
- Facility must provide basic recycling
- Circular cycle must be in place for any unused education materials
- Provide a water refill station – no styrofoam cups are to be offered at the water and/or coffee station
Arts/Theater & Entertainment Services:
- Facility must provide basic recycling
- Circular cycle must be in place for any unused materials
Food/Beverage Services:
- Your business must either recycle or compost
- “To go” containers must either be recyclable, reusable or BPI certified compostable – absolutely no styrofoam
- Consider creating a BYO (Bring Your Own) Program
Fitness/Health & Public Safety Services:
- Facility must provide basic recycling
- Provide a water refill station – no styrofoam cups are to be offered at the water and/or coffee station
Retail Services:
- Business must recycle or promote reuse/repair in some capacity
- Consider partnering with brands carried within your store for recycling options
Other:
- Don’t feel like your business fits any of these categories? That is okay! We review each form carefully and will provide feedback if we feel like the business does not quite fit our criteria.
Congratulations to the following local businesses on being Sustainable Leaders in our community!
At GARNA, we are proud to join the Colorado Green Business Network, a voluntary program by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that helps diverse businesses and non-profits advance sustainability.
Joining gives organizations access to funding, technical assistance, mentorship, and a statewide support system. We are thrilled to share that in our very first year participating, GARNA has received Bronze-level recognition for our sustainable practices as a non-profit!
What defines our commitment to environmental leadership as a non-profit organization? We integrate the following sustainable practices directly into our daily operations:
Professional Core Values & Vision
Core Value: Embedded sustainability as a foundational operational pillar.
Environmental Leadership: Actively pursuing strategies to minimize our ecological footprint and lead community-wide sustainability initiatives.
Waste Diversion & Recycling Infrastructure
On-Site Composting: Managing a dedicated in-office composting system for food waste and paper products.
Eco-Friendly Procurement: Sourcing 100% compostable tableware and bags for youth outing meal services.
Specialized Recycling: Utilizing a dual-bin recycling system to separate standard recyclables from plastic films.
Film Recycling Partnership: Transporting collected plastic films to regional retail collection hub (Walmart).
Hard-to-Recycle Collection: Serving as a community drop-off site for specialized, non-traditional recyclable materials.
Community Engagement: Hosting public waste diversion events to educate and activate local residents.
Eco-Conscious Commuting & Transportation
Green Commuting: Encouraging staff to walk or bike for daily office commutes whenever feasible.
Event Carpooling: Maximizing transit efficiency by utilizing the organization’s vehicles for event carpools.
