Each month in Mindful Business Matters, Jessa explores the local sustainable and wellness business landscape, highlighting companies' unique work and connections to the city.

Eco-Andersonville

Ever wonder what it means when a business proclaims it's "going green," or what distinguishes a business as sustainable? In one Chicago neighborhood, answers to these questions have become clearer over the last year. After national publication Natural Home Magazine named Andersonville one of "America's Top 10 Best Eco-Neighborhoods" in 2007, residents, property owners and business leaders rallied to form the Eco-Andersonville initiative. Managed by the Andersonville Development Corporation, the initiative seeks to encourage and promote sustainability through various programs including a sustainable business certification program.

"The business community really wanted to have an official resource that would help businesses develop sustainable practices and market their efforts," says Sara Dinges, managing director of the Andersonville Development Corporation. While other national certification programs already existed, the organization found that most were cost-prohibitive and irrelevant to the "mom and pop shop" businesses that thrive in Andersonville. After 18 months of development, in April 2009, Eco-Andersonville launched its own certification program—and one year later nine businesses are certified at the one, two or three-star level.

The process begins with a rigorous checklist broken down into three areas: people, planet and prosperity. Applicants must complete a combination of required and optional actions within each area to reach one of the three levels of certification. These business owners are not just checking off boxes about recycling and low-VOC paint; they are analyzing their financing plans and how they are engaging their employees among many other things. It's a holistic process that Dinges says really appeals to businesses. "The three-prong approach to sustainability has made sense to local business owners. The program can help save money and it really speaks to the new economy."

Examples of Actions Items on the Checklist

People

Encourage or provide opportunities to employees to volunteer in their communities

Planet

Install water aerators in all bathroom faucets and low-flow showerheads in at least 10 percent of shower facilities

Prosperity

Use a local, independent bank or credit union for at least a portion of your business' checking/savings

In addition to completing the checklist of action items, business owners must submit baseline data such as energy and water bills, charitable contributions and recycling information. Eco-Andersonville checks this information for all certified businesses every six months. Each business will go through an annual review process to ensure they are continuing the activities required for their level of certification. Business owners must also choose a new sustainability goal to pursue each year. "We believe sustainability is always a process. You don't really reach the end,” says Dinges. “Our businesses are really excited about furthering their commitment by focusing on these goals.”

Once an interested business begins looking over the checklist and working toward certification, Eco-Andersonville is there to help owners through the process. "We offer ourselves as case managers," says Dinges. "We have a resource library and try to have information available on each item that is on the checklist."

Learn more about the certified businesses on the Eco-Andersonville website, and when visiting the neighborhood check for the window decal denoting sustainable businesses.

And, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Eco-Andersonville’s first "Green Week" to celebrate green living in the community from July 12-18.