Last week the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce closed it's doors for one day for our bi-annual all staff retreat. This was our time to come togethor and decide to what heights we are going to take the organization to this coming year. After eight hours of listening, learning, engaging, sharing, crying...ok maybe not crying but we put in some serious sweat equity into this years goals and objectives. And let me tell you our sights are high. This year, the Chamber decided to use a...

You've seen the billboards, the commercials, the propaganda supporting the Single Stream Recycling effort kicked off in Grand Rapids on July 20. But what is it? Single stream recycling refers to a system in which all paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic that are currently separated into different recycle bins are now placed all together in one recycling cart. It is still important to follow the same preparation guidelines for recycling preparation except you just put all your...

Summer is winding down (I know, I know, but we all knew it was coming) but the event scene in Grand Rapids is not! There are two fabulous events for you to attend that will support and educate the West Michigan communitiy. "Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities" Concerned about climate change and how it will impact Michigan? The economic and environmental health of Michigan and communities across the Midwest are threatened by climate disruption. According to...

Nothing annoys me more than when I am on the internet and I have to fight off a million pop-up windows containing “hidden diet secrets revealed!” or “lose 10lbs in 1 hour guaranteed!”, ok so maybe I bluffed a bit with that last one. My point is all of these are radical claims and we (most of us) know they are not true. The same rules apply for the green product industry. As consumers we need to make smart conscious decisions and research what we are buying. Just because something has a green...

Grand Rapids has the most LEED certified buildings per capita than anywhere else in the U.S., true. When we think of those buildings we think hotels, restaurants, offices but what about the jail? In early May of 2010 construction began to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in the Kent County Correctional Facility Fuller complex. The facility is the second county building to use this alternative energy source the first being the 63rd District Courthouse. So how does...

A lovely co-worker of mine spotted this on Mlive.com yesterday and since I know that everyone is trying to save a little change these days I thought I would pass it on. If there is one thing I have learned while working on reducing the Chamber's Carbon Footprint is that little things do make a difference. For example, The GRACC Paper Challenge 3 sheets a day may not sound like much but times it by 30 people in the office (that 3 sheet turns into 90 a day and then 450 pieces in a week). If...

Recently, I have been tasked with creating a comprehensive and measurable sustainability plan for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. At first, the task seemed rather daunting and intimidating because the concept of sustainability is so complex…how can it fit into one single plan? I realized it needed to be broken down. Sustainability (as we often forget) is really a three legged stool…right? Right. My problem is that when I think of sustainability my brain automatically thinks GREEN....

This month I climbed the Mount Everest of sustainability (okay maybe not that dramatic) but I did finish the Carbon Footprint Calculator for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Once the calculator was completed I started looking for ways that the Chamber could reduce their Carbon Footprint which I quickly discovered wasn't as easy as I thought. The Chamber rents a space in The Waters Building and in order to get an idea of how much the Chamber uses in utilities I had to...

It's been 3 months... I know, I apologize. In my absence though I have been gathering material about the green happenings around Grand Rapids. I have also been thinking alot about sustainability and Grand Rapids. Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Shelley Irwin about Grand Rapids sustainability efforts on her WGVU morning radio show. We spoke about the recent "Most Sustainable Community Award" and what it meant for Grand Rapids. I knew this question was going to come and...

On this day 138 years ago a Detroit native named J. Sterling Morton proposed a national tree planting day called “Arbor Day”. Four months later on April 10, 1872 National Arbor Day was celebrated with an estimated one million trees planted on U.S. soil. Our Country has made many advances since 1872 but we have cut down many trees in the process. Don’t feel too bad, there is a way to make it up to Mother Earth. The obvious apology present would be to plant another tree on Arbor Day but...

Recently, The DeVos Place achieved “Steward” level Green Venue Certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth. (DELEG) Green Venues Michigan (GVM) is a department of the DELEG that encourages entertainment venues, convention centers, and similar facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving “green” practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in...

Happy Earth day Sustainability Members! While logging on to Twitter This morning I was overwhelmed by all of the Earth Day chatter and promotions circling the web. Everything from Earth Day sales to tips and tricks and even a recipe for an organic cocktail (which I plan on trying later at The B.O.B's Earth Day Weekend event). Of all the chit-chat going on this quote by comedian Jim Gaffigan made me chuckle, "It's Earth Day but shhh don't tell the earth let's have it be a...

Grand Rapids is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in Sustainability. Today, Grand Rapids was recognized by the U.S. Chamber and Siemens Corporation as a top finalist for the National Siemens Sustainable Community Award in the Midsize Community Category. Pablo Picasso once said, “ Action is the foundational key to all success."  The success of this community would not be possible without the tremendous efforts from Grand Rapid's schools, businesses and citizens...

What special event involves soothing acoustic music, fine cuisine, and candle light? Anniversary? Birthday? Maybe Valentines Day? How about EARTH DAY ! In Celebration of Earth day, The Gilmore Collection will be reducing their Carbon footprint for an entire weekend by turning of the lights, playing live non-amplified music, and serving sustainable entrees made from locally grown organic ingredients. "The Gilmore Collection has always made efforts to support and buy local. With Earth...

When we think of Spring we usually think of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The Animals come out of hibernation, Robins return to your backyard, trees bud and flowers bloom which makes it the perfect time to renew both you and your business with sustainable practices. What a better way to learn about  "being green"  than to join me in attending the  "Grand Valley State University Summit on Sustainability". The event will focus on sustainability and it's impact on...

In celebration of Earth Week 2010, our friends at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) will be hosting an EcoAction Expo ! Along with the expo there will be a benefit concert to follow with popular alternative band The Fiery Furnaces. While you're there, stop by our Partnership for a Sustainable Community booth and say hi! We'll be there from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Concert begins at 8 p.m.) Event Details: Event: EcoAction Expo and Benefit Concert Date: Friday,...

Take a walk through downtown Grand Rapids and take notice of the enticing restaurants along Monroe Center, the majestic hospitals on the hill, or the rustic architecture that is sprinkled throughout the city. The infrastructure of Grand Rapids is unique and resourceful but did you also know that according to the US Green Building Council, Grand Rapids has the most LEED certified sq. footage per capita than any other city in the United States? To be LEED certified means...