While making my way back to Dupont Circle I came across a couple of guys on the street that were soliciting donations for “Live Green.” Dave Byrd and Pat McVea (pictured above) are leading the Campaign Team through Fall and Winter and spreading the good word to passers by like me. Live Green is a grassroots membership based organization that currently partners with over 50 local green businesses to provide discounts on everyday products and services. The idea is to generate visibility for green businesses, grow the green economy and save money for the members on products that they already buy.
Before a business or organization can be added to the Live Green network, they must pass a rigorous screening process across 5 categories.
Screening Process for the “Live Green Spots” logo.
Eco-friendly Products and Services - Is the business or organization environmentally responsible in such areas as manufacturing, distribution, use of source materials, disposal/recycling? Have they been certified by Green Seal, FSC, Energy Star, or Green America?
Green Operations - Is the business or organization environmentally responsible when it comes to energy use, paper use, waste/recycling, or carbon neutral? Have they received certification from LEED, Green-E and or Green Guard?
Quality - Are the products or services considered high quality by users opinions, and/or from Live Green researchers? Sites such as Yelp, Zagat, Consumer Reports, CityPaper, and urban spoon as also used as sources.
Price/affordability - Is the product or service offered at a competitive price relative to green and non-green competitors? Amazon and Target are two of the price comparison sites used.
Social Responsibility - Are there meaningful socially responsible aspects of the business or organization, for example woman or minority-owned businesses, community involvement, fair-trade, progressive practices in human and animal rights.
Live Green also offers a number of social networking and event opportunities for people interested in learning more about other green businesses, opportunities, or just looking for a something fun to do with like minded people. As of this writing the calendar of upcoming events includes a "2011 Music on the Mountaintop Festival," a" Columbia Heights Day" celebration, and a presentation from "B Certified Corporations."
If you would like to learn more about Live Green or how to start a chapter in your town, please visit the “about us” page on the website (http://livegreen.net/?access=spots)
Live Green: https://livegreen.net/
Hi kvkay,
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an awesome blog post about Live Green! I'm glad you ran into our team. Dave Byrd and Pat McVea have been part of the Live Green Campaign Team for several months and are leading our campaign through the Fall and Winter months. As you mentioned, our goal is grow the green economy in DC by asking businesses to make sustainable choices in their operations and encouraging consumers to support the local, green businesses throughout DC, MD and VA. By making a yearly contribution, Live Green Members get daily discounts on the products we all already shop for at 64 different Live Green Spots. A couple great examples - Busboys and Poets, The Bike Rack, Flow Yoga, Wonji Juice & Java Green.
We hope to run into many more of you on the street and at the events we host all over the city! Check out livegreen.net to learn more :)
Thanks again,
Amanda Harris
Live Green Campaign Director