The Green Business Alliance has been launched in Waco, Texas, to encourage small businesses to invest in sustainability efforts. The program is a partnership with the city, local businesses, and Keep Waco Beautiful, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to beautification and sustainability. The alliance will provide resources and support for companies as they adopt greener practices. Currently, six companies are participating in the partnership.
To participate, companies must complete a certification process through Keep Waco Beautiful. This comprehensive application explores various practices such as recycling, composting, energy efficiency and water conservation. The Executive Director, Carol Ferguson, said, “Our goal is simply to provide valuable education, bring resources to our community, and ensure everyone is set up to succeed.”
The first company to be certified is Cha Community. The owner, Jaja Chen, said that the business has introduced plant-based straws, reusable utensils, and composting to become sustainable. Amber Bolden, co-owner of Waco’s Sweep My Home, said her company is introducing new eco-friendly packaging.
“We are really in the process of switching our products from PET bottles to biodegradable and environmentally friendly wheat,” said Bolden. Keep Waco Beautiful hopes to have more than 50 certified companies by the year end. More information on the project and certification process can be found on their website. The organization is aiming to encourage more and more businesses to adopt greener practices.