W&M among Green Business Challenge Honorees
In early November, Williamsburg City Mayor Clyde Haulman announced that seventeen local businesses have been designated as Green Business Challenge Honorees. The businesses honored by the city, including the College of William & Mary, were selected based on their successful implementation of at least twelve different practices in fields such as water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling.
The challenge was provided over by the city’s Green
Team which was established “to acknowledge those City businesses that dedicate
their staff time and resources to reduce their carbon footprints” according to
Jodi Miller, the team’s chairperson. The
team researched other challenges across the country, and from their findings
drew up a plan to make the Williamsburg version as comprehensive and
user-friendly as possible.
The businesses that completed the challenge were honored during a city council meeting on Nov. 12. During his remarks, Haulman congratulated the businesses on the depth of their commitment, as well as their creativity in finding ways to be more environmentally friendly. A few of the honorees, such as the Williamsburg Hospitality House, also have Virginia Green Certification by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for promoting green tourism.
All of the honorees have received recognition on the city’s website as well as the right to display window clings which will designate them as Williamsburg Green Businesses.
Information about the challenge and the businesses that met the challenge – including examples of their green activities -- is available at http://www.williamsburgva.gov/greenchallenge2010
