“Going green” is a new concept that has everyone talking. People are realizing the importance of conserving energy, reducing waste and recycling materials in order to improve the state of our environment and preserve our planet’s future. Go Green NRV is an organization recently created to ensure that businesses in the New River Valley are doing their part in being environmentally friendly.

The mission of Go Green NRV is “to promote a Green Business Program for businesses in the New River Valley, including modified programs addressing industry specific green initiatives for the various businesses in the Valley.” Go Green NRV was founded in 2008, first as a series of workshops and events on how to “greenify” your business. Different organizations that participated in sustainability week in Blacksburg eventually decided to become something larger and formed the organization.

President Bob Rogers hopes to spread the ideas of sustainability week, held in Blacksburg, to the entire New River Valley. “We’re trying to get as many businesses on board as possible,” says Rogers. “Creating practical advice for businesses is one of the key aspects of the program. We suggest ways that businesses can improve their environmental performance, some are simple and some are not so simple,” says Rogers.

Go Green NRV requires a environmental policy statement from businesses desiring to join, describing the goals of the organization to “green up” what they are doing. They will then be given a checklist of specific things to do or change about their business that are more sustainable.

“The checklist is the main mechanism for businesses to evaluate where they’re at and their commitments for long-term goals for greening up their business,” says Rogers.

One business that has recently joined Go Green NRV is the Radford Auto Center in Radford, Va. Owner Jason Bowman made the decision to join Go Green NRV in December, and received his certification in February. The Radford Auto Center is now the first auto repair shop in Virginia to get a certification of environmental recognition.

“We’ve been interested in doing environment friendly practices since we opened, so when we heard about Go Green we figured it’d be a good idea to do it. It’s been good to get publicity and recognition for doing something good for the environment as well,” says Bowman.

Since they joined Go Green NRV, the Radford Auto Center has made many changes in its operations. Among these changes are a new carpool service offered to customers, using fluorescent light bulbs and recycling their antifreeze, metal, oil flickers, cardboard, white paper, batteries and plastics. They also installed skylights to let in heat and light, to reduce the amount of energy used.

“We also got rid of our parts washer because of the hazardous chemicals that it used. We now use Ozzie Juice to wash our parts – the bacteria in the liquid eat the oil without using chemicals. The salesman actually drank it to prove how safe it was,” says Bowman.

Radford Auto Center now buys 90% of their oil in bulk to eliminate waste. They also remember to shut down equipment when it is not being used, send emails rather than paper letters for appointment reminders, and buy their materials locally.

Bowman and the rest of the auto center are happy with their decision to go green. “We’ve reduced our waste by 80%. We used to set out 8-10 trashcans per week, now we’re down to only 1-2,” he says.

Go Green NRV offers its services to all types of businesses, from auto centers to hotels, and doctor’s offices to clothing stores.

Some local businesses have already been green for quite some time. Go Green NRV recognized Margaret Breslau, owner of Homebody in Blacksburg, for her sustainable practices.

Homebody is in its 8th year of business, and sells sweatshop-free clothing using 100% fair-trade imports. Many of the products Homebody sells are made from recycled materials, such as bags made out of seatbelts and coin purses made from ramen noodle wrappers. Go Green NRV recognized Homebody for specific things it was doing to help the environment, such as collecting and recycling batteries and fluorescent light bulbs.

“I’ve gone completely paperless with my bills and catalogues, everything is online. I hope to one day be completely paperless, and not even use bags at check out,” says Breslau.

Along with assisting local businesses to go green themselves, Go Green NRV also hosts a series of informational events and workshops that anyone can attend.

An upcoming workshop on March 5th from 1-5 p.m. at the Competitiveness Center in Fairlawn, Va., will offer businesses green advice as well as discuss plans for the future of Go Green NRV and how they can expand their organization. Activities at the workshops include calculating businesses carbon footprints, and helping businesses and individuals determine the impact they have on the planet.

“We also discuss economics at the workshops. If one uses a compact fluorescent light bulb, in the long run they will save money. We are cost effective for businesses,” says Rogers.

Go Green NRV typically hosts two main events per year, along with workshops held every few weeks.
For information on how to join Go Green NRV, or become an active participant on the committee, visit their Web site at GoGreenNRV.com.

Elise Chretien is an intern for the New River Voice.