Businesses getting eco-friendly

Going green. It is the new trend. Organic food sections are popping up in grocery stores everywhere. Home builders are implementing green technology using paints and stains with fewer chemicals as well as formaldehyde-free carpet, cabinetry and insulation.

But what if a business, school or family wants to eliminate or minimize production of waste, conserve energy or recycle materials, but does not know where to start?

That’s where the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality comes into play.

“We are here to explore options for cutting waste,” said pollution prevention specialist Joanna Pierce, who adds that the department’s services are free of charge and they can assist any individual, business or school in researching what will work best for them.

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of Pollution Prevention Week and to commemorate the occasion, the DEQ announced its 2008 Pollution Prevention Champions – businesses that have gone above and beyond to help prevent waste and pollution. Nine businesses were recognized by the DEQ, three in the Sandpoint area.

“It is a pretty diverse group of businesses,” said Pierce.

In the past, Pierce said the department has typically recognized about five or six businesses, but this year they did things a bit differently.

“We still want to make it an award worth receiving, but we also want to provide more case studies for other businesses,” said Pierce. “Hopefully it will encourage businesses in various industries (to implement environmentally friendly procedures).”

The three Sandpoint businesses, Mountain Horse Adventures, Sandpoint Signs and Graphics and W Cleaners, have implemented procedures to reduce waste and conserve energy, and have documented the results of their actions. All of the case studies of the 2008 winners as well as those who have won in years past are posted on the DEQ’s Web site.

Pierce said the case studies provide excellent information for other businesses who may want to take a step toward more environmentally friendly practices.

There are typically one or two reasons that a business switches over to more environmentally friendly procedures, Pierce said.

“Some businesses do it because it is the cornerstone of who they are, and others do it to save money,” she said. “There is less hazardous waste, which means less money spent in disposing of the waste and less reporting requirements. It boils down to cost savings and public image.” When Gardner Wilcox opened W Cleaners a year ago, he knew he wanted to do what he could to build a successful business and to keep the environment safe.

“It is smart business (to be eco-friendly),” said Wilcox. “We need to do what we can to protect ourselves, protect our clothes and protect our environment.”

In addition to using the most up-to-date equipment, Wilcox points out that it is important to be environmentally conscious at every level of the business.

“Our customers can feel good that this company recycles hangers and is responsible to the environment,” said Wilcox. “The bottom line is you do what is right and build your business the right way.”

In the short time he has been in business, word of Wilcox’s practices has quickly spread. He has received inquiries from dry cleaning businesses as far away as Seattle seeking advice on how best to implement environmentally friendly procedures.

For Gregg Merithew, owner of Sandpoint Signs, it was a logical step in his business to convert to an organic compound paint, sealer stain and coating.

“We got rid of the oil-based and went to the nontoxic,” said Merithew. “There are some very noxious products used in this industry and now we do not fear for our staff or our customers.”

He was so impressed with the line of products he was using, Merithew now sells the product to consumers.

“We are able to provide them to the public as well as use them in house, and everyone is happy,” said Merithew.

Merithew points out that it is always a challenge to find new eco-friendly procedures. “Especially this time of year, there is so much waste with political signs,” said Merithew.

There has not been a procedure developed to make these out of environmentally safe products and Merithew said the closest place to recycle those signs is in Moscow.

“We continue to strive to find other products we can use in the industry,” said Merithew.

Like Wilcox, Merithew said he has received inquiries from others in his industry asking questions about converting to environmentally friendly practices.

While going green may be the new trend, not everyone may be armed with the information they need to convert their business to more environmentally friendly practices. But Pierce encourages anyone, whether it is a business or the average consumer, to contact her office to learn more about ways to reduce waste.

“We are happy to help in any way we can,” said Pierce.

In addition to Mountain Horse Adventures, W Cleaners and Sandpoint Signs and Graphics, other recipients of the 2008 Pollution Prevention Awards are: BabyBoms LLC, Nampa; Child Safe Transportation, Boise and Twin Falls; Dillon Auto Parts, Treasure Valley; Excalibur Auto Body Repair, Lewiston, Kimberly Nurseries, Inc., Twin Falls; and Veolia Water North America, Burley.

For more information on ways to reduce waste, log onto the DEQ Web site, www.deq.state.id.us.

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