Description

I am a graduate student in Environmental Studies, and I just moved here from St. Louis, MO. I’d really like to get involved with a local network of community members who are working for environmental and social justice.

Green Steps Taken

My husband and I use PGE’s green option for our electricity. We keep our home cool in the winter, and only use the heaters when absolutely necessary. We try to eat local/organic whenever possible, and do not eat meat, except for sustainably harvested fish, and occasionally buffalo. We ride the MAX whenever possible, but drive small, fuel-efficient vehicles. We are both looking to work in the environmental movement for our life careers.

Surprising Successes

My neighbor and I dug and planted a terrific vegetable garden in the backyard of our urban apartment building in St. Louis. Neither of us realized how well it would do and that it would actually give us huge amounts of produce. It really made us think about how easy the project would be for many families with even a little yard space in both urban and suburban areas. What a great alternative to grocery store shopping.

Having Trouble With

Our only struggle is that for the time being we must live in the suburbs where public transportation isn’t as pervasive as it is closer in to the city. My husband has to drive to work every day when he’d much rather take the train/bus, but that would add at least an hour to his commute time. We hope to move closer in once we get financially settled after being in town for a year or so.

Giving Back

We purchase as much sustainable grocery products as possible, recycle, compost and minimize waste. I am attempting to get enlisted with AmeriCorps for positions starting in January. My husband is the Sustainability Coordinator for Clackamas County Community College.

Shenanigantics.org

Description

Fun animated videos to inspire social responsibility.

Green Steps Taken

Car Free. I travel by bike, bus and train.

I live in a Sustainable Living Ecovillage.

Surprising Successes

I love inspiring others to go green!

Having Trouble With

I have not adopted the humanure recycling program yet.

Giving Back

I have created multiple websites for Non-profits that are sustainable and socially responsible.

Northwest Cutting Edge Technologies

Description

I am a certified NORMI environmental consultant and test indoor environments for environmental pollution causing illnesses. I am also certified with activTek Environmental and provide a solution to indoor air quality issues with a technology that scrubs the air and surfaces of germs and odors.

Green Steps Taken

I recently became President of the Oregon Environmental TASC Force and am setting up a local chapter for all green businesses to network together and form a ‘go to’ resource center of businesses involved in environmental health. We are looking for sustainable members and will have our first meeting in June.

Surprise Successes

We certified the Portland Opera with our ‘Space Foundation’ technology and helped reduce employee absenteeism dramatically. I certified the first restaurant chain in the United States with our Space Foundation technologies.

Having Trouble With

Getting information into people’s hands to educate them on our TASC Force opportunity.

Giving Back

I belong to ‘I Take the Lead’ organization and give weekly presentations to businesses and private organizations. I recycle everything I possibly can and educate home owners how to detox their homes from harmful chemicals with our PSP program from NORMI.

Description

I am a young, female web designer in Portland who is interested in sustainability issues and how they relate to my profession. I am also looking to start a small business and would like to learn from others who are running their businesses in ways that minimize their carbon footprint. I am particularly interested in Oregon-specific issues relating to clear cutting and the destruction of the Oregon Coast Range forests.

Green Steps Taken

I have taken many small steps to reduce my carbon footprint. I carpool regularly, have begun composting my food waste and organically growing most of the vegetables that my family eats. I also carry my own silverware and hand towels instead of using disposable products. I try to avoid plastics and non-recyclable / non-recycled products and regularly research the companies I purchase from in order to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities to the environment and to the people inhabiting this region before choosing to purchase their products. In the workplace, I have been working with my employer to help the organization become more sustainable, even managing to get approval for the design of a decreased-energy website for Earth Day.

Having Trouble With

The biggest hurdle for myself is the distance that I have to commute for work and the gas that is consumed by that. Even though I manage to carpool regularly, I would prefer to have a situation where my employer and home were more closely located, and I could spend less time driving and more time being a productive member of my community.

Giving Back

I have done a little bit of volunteering in the community (particularly with Portland’s pesticide-free parks) and I have done some advocacy. I am hoping, however, that this group will be a good opportunity for me to make more connections with people who are actively engaged in efforts related to sustainability in the local community.

Description

The Serjante Group is the parent company for any and all Green Light Development Projects and Communities. Founded by Paula Jansen, The Serjante Group?s mission is to develop sustainable residential and commercial communities which incorporate the highest level of green building strategies, renewable and waste- to-energy technologies and processes while providing the highest quality of life through affordable housing solutions, smart growth, community benefits, job creation, and environmentally sound practices.

Green Steps Taken

Our model is sustainability.

Surprising Successes

The team we have on board. Some of the top and most experienced professionals in sustainable design and development.

Having Trouble With

Serious investors, associates and vendors who understand the concept of sustainable practices.

Giving Back

I just moved to Portland in January. I have met with various organizations such as Earth Advantage. We plan on becoming very active as we move forward.

Soma Arts Lounge LLC

Description

Soma Arts Lounge brings together healing arts, organization, and sustainability through one on one, and small group coaching. We strive to promote Awareness, Authenticity, Empowerment, Presence, Joy, Unity, & Love through practices which access and activate the wisdom of our bodies and the Earth, so we may each live fully and wholly, together as ONE. Services include Wellness coaching, holistic personal training, organizing, and classes in sustainability awareness.

Green Steps Taken

I have been involved in environmental activism since high school, where I implemented school wide recycling. Since college, I have used canvas shopping bags. I ride a bike or walk over driving most days of the week, and work from home mostly. We use non-toxic products, are non-consumers as much as possible, and I educate my clients on actions and choices for sustainability.

Surprising Successes

That I can live without even more than I thought. Its not just about choosing ‘green’ products, but REDUCING our consumption all together.

Having Trouble With

Finding affordable ‘green’ printing…

Giving Back

I have offered donations to several auctions, source materials for clients [when organizing/designing] from eco-friendly vendors.

Green Steps Taken

I have just completed a 10 week weekly 3-hour class called ‘Naturally Beautiful Backyard. I am now in the process of beginning to plan a rain garden including a home made rainbarrel…and eventually plan to convert my whole front and back yard into native landscaping for wildlife and birds.In return for the class, i must volunteer 40 hours in sharing what I have learned. I am considering starting a 4-H family group around sustainability.

Surprising Successes

Making a rain barrel

LunaGaia, Wise-woman Life Coaching

Description

I work with self-aware women who are looking for something more personally and professionally. Using solution focused tools and sacred space I inspire them to stand in their true power and Authentic Self. My clients live a more relaxed life with strong boundaries and a strong sense of self. I offer life coaching by phone, private yoga sessions, phone seminars (one free one per month) on relaxation and positive mindset, and annual ocean retreats for women!

Green Steps Taken

I work from home. Walk to local stores or carpool with friends on longer drives. Have truck that runs on biodiesel. Use cfl, recycle, use recycled products, print all my marketing material on recycled paper. My business cards are on recycled card card stock and soy-based ink. My LunaGaia pens that I use and give out are made from recycled plastic. When I take notes during a life coaching session, I use recycled (and often reused -second side from something else) paper. Candles I use are beeswax or soy with all natural cotton wick and only natural scents (100% essential oils). Eco friendly toilet paper, paper napkins, eco friendly cleaning supplies. Give away local organic chocolate to my students at workshops and retreat. Pay for green energy through PGE. And, more but that’s all I can think of right now. ; )

Surprising Successes

Educating my clients and students about being green. Gave away cfl for a few months whenever someone bought a yoga package.

Having Trouble With

Hum. Not sure. I’ll have to think about this one.

Giving Back

I use to be on the Board of Directors at People’s Coop … a local grocery store down the street from me. They have a year round all organic farmers market too! I just recently stepped down from my position. I also donate time to the Girl Scouts to inspire middle school age girls to feel good about their bodies and think positively. And I volunteer my time for a daily meditation by phone.

Description

I recently retired after working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for 25 years and have been involved with sustainability for the last 15. I have a partner and own my home and have two sons, two daughter in laws, one grand daughter and another on the way. I am creative and very physical. I have many interests including many crafts including beading and stained glass as well as bike riding and walking. I also love to cook and have dinner with friends. I love music and also dance since I was 7.

Green Steps Taken

The issue I have focused on is just what exalty do I require and how do I keep my self warm, clothed and feed by only making small steps on this earth. I recycle water in my house, keep the heat down, have had new windows and insulation, and also solar tubes for light. I will bike and take bus before driving and am always concientious about reusing and recycling. I am now very interesting in any organization that wants to diminish our use of plastics, especially bottles. I would also be able to speak about these issues and organize.

Surprising Successes

The ability to live without and my garden

Having Trouble With

Buying something and then realizing that it is not really environmentally friendly.

Giving Back

Not as yet but very interested in local community projects for sustainability. Do volunteer for the hands on projects in my area. Yes, I make my own cleaning products and am also making my own soap and hopefully even my own soy candles. This is what we can all do when we no longer work.

Q19 Greening, LLC | www.q19greening.com

Description

Commercial Greening (Cleaning) Service. We service the business community with all janitorial needs, specializing in multi-family apartment turnovers, common area/lobby, office spaces, and post construction greens.

Green Steps Taken

We have been built to be sustainable/conscious/intentional forward thinking business from the ground up. We are very selective in cleaning product selection and purchase and use certifiably all natural, petro-chemical free, non-synthetic products. We respect the dignity of our workforce and provide living wages, 4 day work weeks, and an open, honest workspace. We are a value based company and run every business decision through our triple bottom line.

Currently Working On

We are currently engaged in building a Bakfiets fleet to green spaces by bike.

Surprising Successes

Employee sourcing. The old adage of ‘if you build it, they will come,’ has certainly been true for Q19.

Having Trouble With

Nothing really has been terribly difficult, sourcing good product/ like minded services and business just takes a little more effort.

Growing Your Business

Growing in a sustainable manner, controlling growth so no to lose traction on our quality, building it in a manner that limits transport time and distance.

Giving Back

We do our best to support the green community and built environment by participating in and volunteering at local events (Ecohaus Open House, The BIG Tour, Go Green ‘08, etc.) We are looking to develop an employee volunteer policy in our second year of business that would make volunteering in our community a Q19 requirement. We are going vegetarian for the month of February as a company to investigate the benefits of this life style change and the impact it has on our community and local food production. We recently donated to the Children Cancer Association by sponsoring a small child with cancer and her family for Christmas. We offset our vehicle commissions with monthly donations to the Climate Trust to as! sist with our local and global carbon footprint. We support local businesses and shop locally at every opportunity.

Sustain NW, LLC | www.sustain-nw.com

Description:

Sustainability consultant and carbon coach

Green Steps Taken:

Joined The Natural Step Network, immersed self in sustainable practices, work from home

Currently Working On

Teaching realtors about green home benefits and marketing, working with City of Vancouver on sustainability policy and metrics

Surprising Successes:

Founded Sustainable Clark County networking forum in April 2007 to promote and advance sustainable practices for businesses, government, educators and individuals; which is now developing into a BALLE chapter

Giving Back:

Active volunteer with NWEI; presenter with The Climate Project trained by Al Gore with over two dozen volunteer presentations to date; subscriber and/or contributor to NRDC, UCS, Orion, E-magazine, Worldwatch; shop and promote local, organic, fair trade.

Stephanie Frisch

www.betterlivingshow.org

Description:

Blue Ocean Events produces the Northwest’s largest sustainable lifestyle show. The Energy Trust Better Living Show is here to show the mainstream that ‘green never looked so good.’ We want to build a bigger choir! The power of a show setting is personal interaction–people can explore products, services, and organizations that can help them make better choices to improve their lives (and by extension, the earth) all in one place.

Green Steps Taken:

My business partner and I both operate out of home offices. We only mail one small postcard to our exhibitors each year and last year our show posters were printed on elephant poo paper! We invested in an online system that would allow us to take applications and payments via the internet and eliminate almost all paper in this process. We work with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to secure green tags to offset carbon emissions generated by producing the show. Making the show free has caused us to restructure our business model, since we are now solely dependent on 2 revenue streams (booth sales and sponsorship) to pay for the costs of the show. However, the outpouring of thanks we received from the public for making the show free keeps us continually focused on our commitment to keep it a free show.

Currently Working On

Working on the 2009 show right now. Have partnered with a national leader on sustainability to create high-level business content. This ’solutions summit’ is gaining rapid momentum and we are excited to add this dimension to the national conversation amongst the nation’s business leaders.

Surprising Successes:

Having over 20,000 people attend the inaugural Energy Trust Better Living Show in March of 2008. It was the most successful new consumer show ever launched in Portland.

Having Trouble With:

Greening our daily transportation. While I do focus on grouping my family related errands, our business is still in the stage where much face-to-face interaction is necessary, so lots of meetings! Working from home offices does mean we are usually driving to them.

Growing your Business

For our EXHIBITORS: Continuing to deliver the audience to them so they can introduce new customers to their products/service/information. For sustainable businesses to be sustainable they need more people exposed to their products/services and shows can help do this. For the ATTENDEE: Providing a memorable, entertaining experience that informed and inspired them to take action in their own lives. For OURSELVES: Keep the show healthy by NOT growing too fast, balance what we are giving away (admission, free space to non-profits) with enough income to cover show costs and take a very reasonable salary.

Giving Back:

Our biggest (and scariest) decision was to make the show free to the public. We also donate up to 15% of our show floor space to small non-profits to help them spread their important messages. When sourcing for our few print pieces, we do carefully select recycled papers and soy-based inks. We supported one of our exhibitors for the inaugural show by using his elephant poo paper for our show poster (although our printer wasn’t so fond of the poo dust in his shop!). As a mom of a small child (I thought starting a new business and having a baby at the same time seemed like a very logical thing to do!) I’m not able to volunteer at this time. My business partner, however, is passionate about school gardens and has installed some beautiful projects at area schools. He’s also involved with Oregon Green Schools. We are members of the Portland Sustainable Business Network and The Natural Step.

www.ecoshuttle.net

Description:

I am part owner of a sustainable transportation company in Portland. Care for our environment has always been important to me and affects all that I do. I have a degree in art history from Ohio University and would like to get my masters in sustainable business fairly soon.

Green Steps Taken:

I have been recycling all my life, or for as long as I can remember, I buy green cleaning products for my home and business and have just purchased multiple energy efficient appliances. I also try to make it easier for others to be a little greener by offering them a sustainable transportation option for commuting and entertainment.
I’ve definitely had to rethink the way I shop, where I buy, and reducing the number of trips I make when I drive.

Surprising Successes:

Starting ecoShuttle and convincing the City of Athens to put in more recycling bins in uptown Athens.

Having Trouble With:

I have not been able to volunteer in a very long time and I need some help when it comes to paperless marketing.

Giving Back:

ecoShuttle donates regularly to local charities, organizations, and schools. We also use a local biodiesel producer, who collects his grease locally, as our fuel supplier. We stock our coolers with locally crafted wine and beer and highlight locations that are sustainable. I buy locally produced items when I can (though I need to get better at this) and always buy the green option when available.