The Green Salem Business Challenge Success Grows in Year Two

The following was submitted by GSBC.
 
The Salem Green Business Challenge (GSBC), a program designed to promote sound, environmental “green” practices and to acknowledge environmentally conscious Salem companies and those currently “going green” by incorporating effective green practices into their businesses, has successfully completed the second year of the challenge.    
 
Forty-one businesses participated this year, a mix of previous participants and businesses new to the challenge.   Survey results anecdotally show that companies who participated last year took measures to improve their scores.  The GSBC also took steps to improve the challenge.  In addition to a more objective points-based system this year, and taking into account businesses that rent their space and companies that have branch offices in Salem, GSBC also held a well received informational workshop and brainstorming session earlier this year which served as a foundation for improving the survey, but more importantly offered information on how businesses can improve their bottom line and enhance customer loyalty by going green. 
 
“We were extremely pleased with the constructive feedback we received from those who participated in the Green Salem Business Challenge pilot program last year. We received helpful feedback and suggestions from past participants and those who attended the workshop for improving the process this year, which we were pleased to incorporate into the survey.” said Paul Marquis, the City of Salem’s Sustainability Manager.
 
The Green Salem Business challenge was extremely competitive this year with slim margins between businesses vying for honorable mention recognition in several categories.   Another indicator that businesses are engaging in green practices and that past challenge entrants should plan to participate again next year.
 
The 2011 awardees by category are as follows:
 
Category One (1 employee)
Best in Class: The Picklepot
Honorable Mention:  Mighty Aphrodite Maternity Consignment
 
Category Two (1 to 5 employees)
Best in Class: Ben & Jerry’s
Honorable Mention: Green Clean
 
Category Three (6 to 50 employees)
Best in Class: North Shore Community Development Coalition
Honorable Mention:  Historic New England’s Phillips House
 
Category Four (over 51 employees)
Best in Class:  Salem State University
Honorable Mention: Peabody Essex Museum
 
About GSBC
A joint partnership of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, SalemRecycles, Salem Renewable Energy Task Force, and North Shore Transportation Management Association (TMA), the Salem Green Businesses Challenge launched in the summer of 2010. Challenge participants were required to take the Salem Green Business Pledge to do everything reasonable and practical to reduce their environmental footprint, adopt green best practices, and increase environmental awareness among their employees, patrons, and the general public.  The pledge is followed by a comprehensive survey of participants existing green business strategies and future environmental plan and goals.  To view the survey online please visit: www.XXXX .  All businesses that take part in the challenge receive a sticker designating them as a Salem Green Business Challenge Participant.  Special sticker recognition is given to the Challenge winners.
 
The Salem Green Business Challenge is part of the City of Salem’s comprehensive environmental sustainability plan. In May of 2010, Salem was designated as a Green Community by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.   For more information about Salem and Salem businesses, please visit www.salem.com and www.salem-chamber.org