Having an “eco focus” means that a company or organization aims to make a positive impact on the environment and that being socially responsible, as a part of doing business, is good for business. These organizations often focus on attempts to address environmental concerns while improving all aspects of doing business and serving customers. Eco tours have been offered globally for several decades, as have products that are made from recycled goods and sustainably sourced ingredients or components.
A local, eco-friendly example that might surprise you is just up the hill. The Ada County Landfill, while government run, is ecologically mindful in its business operations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality require landfills to be environmentally compliant. The county operates a landfill gas-to-electricity project that generates enough power to serve 3,000 homes. The landfill also has a recovery and diversion area for items that can be recycled or reused onsite or elsewhere, rather than being placed into the landfill.
Idaho has three primary types of eco-focused organizations:
- Keeping items out of landfills;
- Creation of new products in environmentally friendly ways; and
- B-Corps that aim to serve the world well while making a profit.
Keeping items out of landfills is largely a not-for-profit enterprise. Thrift shops, consignment stores, recycling and tech-recovery centers all keep things out of landfills and find ways to resell items for ongoing use. The Reusuem receives various technology-related donations and turns monies raised into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses for youth.
The Assistance League Thrift Shop upcycles donations for sale and applies the monies earned to such programs as: providing clothes and school supplies for students; wigs for those in need; formal wear for prom; assistance for the hard of hearing; help for homeless youth; baby bundles; clothing in times of crisis; and historical tours of The Bown House in east Boise near Bown Crossing.
Re-Use is an art supply store above the North End Organic Nursery (NEON). Two environmentally focused entities in one location in Garden City. Re-Use receives donations, organizes them, and sells them to artists and crafters – making sure to weigh each purchase so they can measure just how much has been kept out of the landfill. NEON is a 100% organic garden center, with an onsite nursery specializing in edible, native, and water conserving plants. NEON is locally owned and focuses on everything needed for sustainable, organic gardens and landscapes.
Long in cultivation, ROOTS Market’s tagline is “zero waste” for their product sales and grocery/deli business. Organic produce and bulk items that go into your own or recycled containers are staples at ROOTS. The 5Rs for getting to zero waste are also showcased in-store. ROOTS also offers classes and has classroom and patio spaces for community gatherings.
Companies that create new products in environmentally friendly “green” ways exist in the Treasure Valley too. Zamzows sells locally sourced and organic products for yards and pets. Idaho Power has set a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2045.
While not exclusively eco focused, B-Corps do focus on the good of communities, on local economic development, and on the environment. B-Corp certification requires meeting high standards of verifiable business practices that include meeting a high social and environmental performance standard; making a legal change to corporate governance structures to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders; and exhibiting transparency about business performance to the certifying entity (B Lab) and to the public.
These are some notable Treasure Valley B-Corps: Lost Grove Brewing – in two locations. Lovevery – toys and educational products for the stages of child development; Figure 8 Investment Strategies – focusing investments on companies that address the environment and climate; Treefort Music Festival – bringing the community together through music.
Be green. Consider these Idaho organizations that are eco focused when you shop and invest.
Aim for Zero Waste
Looking for ways to make an eco-focused difference every day? These "5Rs of Zero Waste", seen at ROOTS Market, are a great way to start making daily improvements in our individual ways of doing business and living. Workplaces can aim for zero waste with these tips too.
· Refuse to buy products with extra packaging or non-eco-friendly materials. Refuse to buy products that are not made of sustainably sourced components or ingredients.
· Reduce the amount of everything you purchase and consume. Reduce the amount of packaging and wrapping you use when giving gifts.
· Reuse what you can: clothing, bags, containers, furnishings, tools, utensils, and anything you can think of reusing.
· Rot. In other words, compost all that you can. Vegetable and fruit scraps; grass and yard trimmings; add worms and compost away. Or, use the city-provided compost bins.
· Recycle. Put designated items into recycle bins so the materials can be broken down and repurposed into “new” materials for use in new forms and items. Use city-provided recycle bins.
Explore your purchasing habits, your consumer approaches, and your investments too. Are you buying products that are locally sourced? Made mindfully from renewable sources? Are you investing in companies that do good for the environment and for people?
Asking questions and making eco focused decisions makes a difference. We can all be eco focused, one day at a time.
