Local Organizations Cheered for Environmental Success through GreenSpot
The City of Columbus’ annual GreenSpotLight awards
celebration recognized three businesses for their outstanding sustainability
practices. The large, medium and small organizations awards go to OhioHealth,
E.P. Ferris, and MAD Scientist Associates. Members of the GreenSpot Advisory
Board selected the three awardees using information provided in the businesses’
GreenSpot annual reports.
“Sustainability is key to our success as a community.
Businesses play a vital role and the GreenSpotLight award winners demonstrate
how adopting green practices is good for the bottom line and our
neighborhoods,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.
These organizations use the MyGreenSpot online tool to adopt
and track their sustainability successes in water and energy conservation,
waste reduction, green transportation and educational outreach.
Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, chair of the
Council Environment Committee, recognized these businesses for their success.
“In order for businesses to be successful, they need to integrate
sustainability into their core mission. These GreenSpotLight awardees
demonstrate that it is possible.”
Additionally, three organizations were recognized for
completing GreenSpot’s Sustainable Business Course. This program provides
mentoring and networking opportunities as the businesses go through the
GreenSpot application process. This diverse group of organizations
received special recognition:
- Ashland
- Civil and Environmental Consultants
- OBLSK
The SpotLight also highlights Indianola Informal K-12 as the
first Columbus city school to be designated as a GreenSpot School for their
work in engaging students on litter cleanups, food gardens, composting,
recycling and water conservation and protection. Their culture of
sustainability will install environmental stewardship for years to come.
The newest recognized GreenSpot Neighborhood is
Clintonville. Their successes include:
- Recruited more than 400 new GreenSpot members;
- Promoted local foods through farmers markets,
master gardeners and vegan fest;
- Created sustainability Twitter, Facebook, and
Instagram accounts;
- Promoted energy audits resulting in 258 home
energy audits; and
- Removed invasive species, planted trees and
maintained a prairie.
Due to COVID-19, the awards were virtual, pre-recorded and
aired September 21, 2020. See the recorded GreenSpotLight Awards on GreenSpot
Facebook “ColumbusGreenSpot” and on their website.
The GreenSpot Program began in 2008 to inspire,
educate and recognize those in our community who are taking steps to protect
our environment. Currently there are more than 20,000 households, community
groups and businesses that are members. Membership forms are available at
https://www.columbus.gov/greenspot/