Furthering Sustainability - evaluation & report card

When a business joins the Green Alliance we evaluate exactly what makes the product green and/or business practices sustainable. We are not looking for perfection...we will accept businesses who have taken some steps but make a commitment to do more.

The Alliance expects, supports, and encourages substantial progress from all our business partners, even Blossoms. Each business should do at least some of the following:

• Support local vendors and suppliers
• Offer natural, sustainable and renewable products
• Use natural, sustainable and renewable products when possible
• Incorporate the three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle
• Consider energy use and its environmental impact; practice energy conservation and efficiency, invest in alternative or renewable fuels
• Support fair trade and other socially responsible businesses
• Educate customers and employees about sustainability
• Enhance the quality of life for the environment, customers, the community and its employees

Green Progress Report Categories:

Sprouting...business has taken some steps but much more needs to be done. Sprouts will let the consumer know what they have already done and what they are working on, as well as larger goals of what they hope to do in the future. This designation is not a negative - it lets the consumer know a business cares about sustainability and is working on it.

Budding... business has already taken substantial steps toward sustainable business practices and is currently in progressive "sustainable motion".

Blossoming...business has taken substantial steps to fully offer sustainable goods/services and is practicing an impressive number of green business techniques. Blossoming partners are acting as leaders and trailblazers in sustainability for other Green Alliance partners and Seacoast businesses in general.

***The GA Environmental Advisory Board assists in choosing a business's designation and in helping the business to become even more sustainable