Concept of Sustainability Alive and Well in Business
July 17, 2008
Business in the North County - Ted Owen
There seems to be a renewed awareness about our environment lately. Not just the global warming syndrome, but sustainability as a concept is beginning to get wider acceptance.
The environmentalists have been working hard for decades to get us focused on the issue of preserving the globe. Lately, however, it seems that a momentum has begun to permeate business in particular.
For decades, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has had an environmental and economic committee exploring the ways chamber members could help preserve the environment while growing the economy.
Last month, the chamber announced a new committee — a sustainability committee — to begin the process of making as many member companies as “green” as possible.
Certifying an interested company as green is one of the first goals of the volunteer group.
Goals and milestones are being drafted that will allow member companies to fill out an application stipulating how they qualify.
Once the committee certifies them, they will be issued a decal for their company window and permission to use the chamber’s green company logo on their stationery.
To kick off the campaign, the chamber has installed nine Solatube systems in its office, with 21 coming. The lighting was first put into offices without windows, then restrooms and the Small Business Success Center.
The product was donated by John Hanley, chief executive officer of Solatube Global Marketing Inc. The 30 systems would sell for $35,000 to $40,000. The installation costs were provided by Carlton Lund, co-owner of The Lund Team, a residential real estate broker.
By the end of 2009, all 30 of the Solatubes will be installed and it is anticipated that the monthly electricity bill will be reduced by nearly 75 percent.
A savings of $12,000 a year is a nice way to sustain the bottom line.
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