Green Business Directory

Food Service

Babica Hen Café

Babica Hen Cafe bakes cupcakes, cookies, muffins and pies daily, serves breakfast and lunch made from scratch with Northwest ingredients, and offers event space and catering for special occasions.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Follows a sustainable purchasing policy, including purchasing products made of recycled-content materials
• Uses native plants for landscaping
• Uses prepped food for new menu items
• Donates in-kind services to the community

Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea is a loose-leaf tea house and gift shop that prioritizes environmental stewardship and social responsibility in their daily routines and overall mission. They educate customers and encourage them to participate in eco-friendly behaviors, such as reusing tea transfer bags and using their own cups and containers. They also support local eco-initiatives through their donation programs.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Provides dine-in customers with reusable glassware and flatware
• Supports environmental and social causes with their Seasonal Tea program
• Collects used tea leaves for composting by local gardeners
• Recycles ink cartridges, packing materials, light bulbs, and batteries
• Inventory sold includes products made from recycled materials
• Uses energy-efficient lighting

Gubanc's Pub

Since 1976, Gubanc's Pub has served its guests the best quality food, made from scratch with great care in their kitchen. Gubanc's uses only all-natural, locally raised beef and pork, and source as much possible from the local area.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Follows a sustainable purchasing policy
• Donates leftover soups to St. Vincent dePaul
• Purchases products made of recycle content materials
• Uses prepped food for new menu items
• Donates in-kind services to their community

Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co

Happyrock Coffee is a small-batch artisan coffee roaster located in downtown Gladstone. Their beans can be found in restaurants, cafes, grocers, farmers markets and specialty stores.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Promotes and purchases local products
• Use energy efficient lighting
• Reuse product packaging and shipping materials
• Purchases renewable energy

Lake Theater & Cafe

Lake Theater & Cafe is a popular destination for food, drink, lakeside dining, movie showings, private events and live music. They partner with area farmers and NW-specific purveyors to provide sustainable, farm-fresh produce and meats whenever possible.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Purchases 90% of vegetables from an organic farm in nearby Oregon City
• Serves food and concessions in reusable containers
• Provides metal straws instead of plastic disposable straws
• Composts all food scraps and follows food-waste prevention practices
• Uses their backyard herb garden in meal preparation
• Installed LED lighting, including on the outdoor marquee
• Provides health benefits to all staff working at least 20 hours per week

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt - Oregon City

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt makes yogurt from happy cows and real ingredients. The Oregon City location took sustainability into consideration before opening in the fall of 2016.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Encourage spoons to be used again. Guests can take their spoons home, leave them at the store where they will be donated to charitable organizations or recrafted into art.
• Installed energy efficient hand dryers and LED lighting
• Uses green cleaning products
• Purchases paper products made with recycled content
• Works with property manager to monitor water usage and replaced the faucets with low-flow aerators
• Donates thousands of dollars to local school programs and charitable organizations each year

New Seasons Market - Mountain Park and Happy Valley locations

As the first grocery store in the world to become a certified B Corporation, New Seasons Market’s goal is to build community, champion the regional food economy, and be sustainable to the core by continually finding creative ways to keep their environmental footprint small.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• 10% of after-tax profits are donated to address hunger relief, public education, and conservation
• Eliminated single-use plastic straws from the store
• Switched packaging to designs with lower carbon, energy, and water footprints
• 100% of electricity is purchased through renewable energy credits
• Employee green team awards spendable Green Bucks to coworkers who do extra in sustainable practices
• Employees receive a paid day off each year to volunteer in the community
• Conducted an in-depth waste audit to look for new waste-reduction opportunities
• Food recovery program and compost collection keep food waste out of the landfill
• 84% of their Partner Brand products are sourced within 500 miles

Unity Foods 

Unity Foods is a local food distributor for independent restaurants and food carts in the Portland Metro area. . They exceed industry standards to deliver the highest quality products and service and bring a sustainability lens to their supply chain, fleet and decisions.
Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Operates one third of their fleet with electric vehicles, with plans for more!   
• Purchases carbon offsets.
• Donates surplus products to charitable organizations.
• Source products from Oregon based ranchers and suppliers.
• Seeks out vendors that align with their values for their supply.

Manufacturing

Bob's Red Mill Natural Food

Founded by Bob Moore in 1978 and located in Milwaukie, Bob’s Red Mill is a leader in nutritious, organic and gluten free foods. They are proudly 100% employee-owned and guided by their mission to promote whole grain foods for every meal of the day.
Bob’s Red Mill is committed to creating a sustainable future with a vision to be a global leader in promoting a healthy planet through company practices and individual behaviors.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Installed solar panels producing 120 kW of renewable energy providing power to the electric vehicle charging stations for customers
• Provides surplus food to Oregon Food Bank and through a food waste app called Too Good To Go 
• Supports Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act

DWFritz Automation Inc. 

DWFritz Automation is a leading global provider for advanced manufacturing solutions. They develop, design, build and support engineered-to-order automation systems, specializing in high-speed, complex inspections to enhance product quality and maximize manufacturing throughput. They are set to find better ways to improve the social and environmental impacts of their work.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Reduces, reuses, recycles, and refuses multiple materials to prevent landfill-bound waste
• Continually tracks and analyzes energy use, water use and waste streams to identify reduction opportunities
• Employee green committee researches and advances practices that support the company’s triple bottom line
• Follows lean manufacturing processes on the engineering floor
• Employees receive paid time off each year to volunteer in the community
• Uses composted food waste in employee garden for growing fresh produce
• Hosts a recycling day for employees to bring in specialty items for disposal

Eaton Portland Power Center

Eaton’s Portland Power Center in Wilsonville designs and builds electrical distribution and control switchgear. As a global corporation, Eaton has committed to a 50% reduction in its current greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality by 2030. The staff green team advances sustainability projects to improve the site’s overall environmental efficiency, educate staff, and give back to the community.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Saves energy with LED lighting and automatic louvres for ventilation
• Tracks and analyzes waste streams for trends and opportunities
• Reduces, reuses, and recycles several materials to prevent landfill-bound waste
• Follows lean manufacturing practices and trains management in lean standards
• Matches employee charitable contributions to nonprofits
• Dedicated to a diverse work force through partnership with underserved communities and proactive employment practices

Form Factory Holdings, LLC

Form Factory, Inc. is the first Oregon-based company licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)’s Recreational Cannabis Division to pack and bottle cannabis-based food and beverages. They exceed industry standards and regulations to deliver the highest quality, safe and consistent product to a fast emerging market.

They acknowledge that responsible environmental stewardship is an ongoing process that requires constant evaluation and improvement, and that sustainability drives innovation both in the economy and society.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Follows a sustainability policy incorporating green standards
• Advocates for sustainable practices to be adopted with everyone they collaborate with including clients, suppliers and vendors
• Educates staff about their sustainability policy, and recycling and waste reduction efforts
• Monitors and measures their waste for opportunities to educate staff and reduce waste
• Uses durable dishware in break room

General Sheet Metal

General Sheet Metal specializes in mechanical, architectural and heating-ventilating-air conditions (HVAC) fabrication, installation and repair services for the commercial and industrial markets. General Sheet Metal actively encourages a culture of safety and environmental consciousness.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Constructed new building to meet high performance building standards
• Conducts a paper assessment with staff using toolkit provided by the County
• Uses paperless invoicing, billing and payroll
• Uses durable dishware in break room and production area
• Conducts chemical assessments to eliminate toxic chemicals
• Uses teleconferencing technologies to communicate with clients

Hoptown Handles

Hoptown Handles manufactures and designs tap handles for craft breweries around the world. Using FSC-certified woods and water-based finishes, they strive to be the sustainable, high-quality, American-made alternative to mass-produced tap handles manufactured overseas.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Sells tap handles made of FSC-certified maple for over 90% of orders
• Donates to the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every 50 handles sold
• Crafts Reclaimed Series handles from leftover scrap wood and reclaimed wine and whiskey barrels
• Uses low- or no-VOC water-based finishes
• Supports the community through paid time off for volunteering

OECO – Milwaukie

OECO, a Meggitt company, designs and manufactures products for the defense, commercial aviation, space, industrial and medical industries. They are committed to the prevention of pollution, the protection of the environment and the health and safety of their employees, customers and neighbors. Whenever possible, they reduce the consumption of natural resources, generation of waste, and emissions of harmful substances to the environment.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Sustainability and recycling progress is shared on an employee board and in all staff meetings
• An Environmental Management System is used to guide environmental efforts
• Uses green cleaners, as available
• Uses energy efficient lighting throughout facility
• Promotes community giving in food bank, blood and gift drives
• Reduces paper consumption through paperless payroll

Oregon Tool

Oregon Tool is a global company specializing in professional grade precision cutting tools for forestry, lawn and garden; farming, ranching and agriculture; and concrete cutting and finishing. Headquartered in Milwaukie, with a multinational manufacturing and distribution footprint, Oregon Tool sells its products in more than 110 countries.

With such a large global footprint, they recognize their responsibility as stewards of their environment, and have committed to a range of sustainable practices and initiatives to reduce their impact

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Reuses and recycles up to 98% of the oil used onsite in the manufacturing process.
• Makes products to last, and provides replacement parts when components wear out.
• Supports local residents and emergency crews with employee volunteers in disaster areas to help with chain sharpening and equipment maintenance.

Rose City Label

Rose City Label is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of custom printed labels for small to midsize northwest companies. They serve nearly 700 companies annually in a variety of industries including local beer and wine,specialty foods, and beauty products.

They’ve been committed to sustainability since 2009 and in 2018 were recognized by their industry trade association.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Measures and sets goals to reduce water, gas, electricity and garbage
• Recycles pallet wrap and bags
• Reuses items in the press room during production runs
• Installed new equipment that helped them significantly reduce chemical usage
• Converted to 100% wind power

STANLEY Infrastructure

STANLEY Infrastructure designs and builds hydraulic tools for construction and infrastructure projects across the world, with private and public sector customers. A strong corporate commitment to not only reduce negative impacts on the environment, but to contribute positively, is demonstrated in a range of sustainable practices at its two locations in Clackamas County.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Dedicates a portion of annual capital expenditures to sustainability improvements
• Tracks and analyzes energy use, water consumption and waste streams for trends and opportunities
• Saves energy with LED lighting throughout facilities and automatic overhead doors to minimize heat loss 
• Reduces, reuses and recycles several materials to prevent landfill-bound waste 
• Follows lean manufacturing practices at their factory and trains management in lean standards
• Produces an annual sustainability report that highlights goals, progress and achievements
• Matches employee charitable contributions to nonprofits

TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity is a technology designer and manufacturer with more than 80,000 employees in over 140 countries. They work with customers on innovations in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home. TE Connectivity’s global and local commitment to sustainability include efforts in its production processes, product design, supply chain, and community engagement.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Participates in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management program and has made numerous energy efficiency upgrades throughout their Wilsonville facility
• Monitors energy and water use and regularly evaluates for new conservation opportunities
• Recycles a range of byproducts from their manufacturing processes
• Follows lean manufacturing processes that minimize waste
• Publishes a corporate social responsibility report annually

Wyld

Wyld makes cannabis edibles using real fruit and natural flavors. The company, with roots in a tiny farm building in Central Oregon, believes taking responsibility for business-related impacts on climate change requires immediate action and is committed to minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment. Three Clackamas locations, comprising of manufacturing facilities and corporate offices, earned Gold certification.
Featured sustainable actions:

• Matches 100% of its electricity use with renewable energy certificates through PGE programs
• Established recycling streams for materials like batteries and plastic bags/film
• Transitioning corporate offices and manufacturing facilities to 100% LED lights where possible
• Transitioned paper towels, toilet paper and copy paper to options that meet or exceed requirements in EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Paper and Paper Products
• Installed the company's first Level 2 dual-head EV charger station for employee use

Yakima Products, Inc.

Yakima Products, Inc. is a world leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions. They offer a variety of cargo management products, including racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment, fishing rods, and other gear, as well as cargo boxes and bags, roof-top tents and awnings, water transport, and high performance multi-sport trailers.

They make sure their products have as small of an environmental footprint as possible by integrating sustainability at the product development stage and making better design choices from the beginning.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Has a team to research and implement green practices for products and facilities
• Uses LED lighting in parking lot and interior and exterior lighting along with motion sensors in most areas of the building
• Bike room, showers and lockers provided for employees
• Janitorial company uses green cleaners
• Durable dishware used in lunchroom and coffee stations
• Uses an index tool to standardize how they measure product and supply chain sustainability elements

Property management, retirement facilities

Colliers International Centerpointe

Colliers International is a full-service commercial real estate firm with brokerage, asset/property management and commercial finance divisions. The company strives to maintain consistent, sustainable practices for a healthy and safe environment for their tenants and visitors.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Received U.S. EPA Energy Star award for energy performance and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Installed high efficiency HVAC equipment, outdoor air ventilation and computerized building automation system
• Installed efficient lighting and lighting control systems that use daylight and occupancy sensors and reduce energy use
• Introduced low-flow and auto-control restroom fixtures to reduce clean water use
• Holds a semi-annual paper shredding event for recycling sensitive documents free of cost to tenants
• Located close to public transportation, and secured bicycle parking and walkways to nearby shops to reduce negative impact on traffic and air pollution

Danielsons

Danielsons Properties has two retail centers in Oregon City and Milwaukie. A Safeway grocery store anchors each development along with many other retail shops. Prior to managing the properties, Danielsons used to own and operate grocery stores at these locations prior to getting out of the grocery industry.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Shares recycling and waste reduction education with tenants annually
• Provides an electric vehicle charging station for public use
• Upgraded parking lot, external building and internal office lights to LED
• Recycles fluorescent lamps from their office and from their tenants
• Uses an electronic document library in place of paper files
• Monitors tenant water usage to identify if leaks occur

Mary's Woods

Mary's Woods at Marylhurst, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names, is a provider of housing, health and vital aging services for older adults. Mary's Woods is committed to the full development for every individual at each life stage.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Uses low-flow toilets and urinals, energy-efficient lights and light occupancy sensors
• Composts food scraps
• Uses certified green cleaners
• Shares sustainability tips in their resident newsletter
• Involves residents through their Stewardship Council
• Offers electric car charging to residents, employees and visitors
• Uses water-conserving sprinkler heads for landscaping

Rose Villa

Rose Villa is a nonprofit senior living organization with a mission to support older adults to live the life of their own choosing. From independent living to 24-hour nursing, Rose Villa works with individuals every step of the way in their personal journey. Rose Villa partners with the community by providing resources for local groups and engaging in sustainable practices wherever possible.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Resident Green Committee advocates for new sustainability initiatives and educates other residents on sustainability issues
• Operates a comprehensive recycling program for staff and residents, including composting
• Offers residents the option to purchase wind power through PGE
• Built a Net Zero Energy neighborhood of high-efficiency buildings that generate their own electricity onsite
• Landscapes with native plants to reduce irrigation and plants new trees to increase tree canopy coverage
• Follows food-waste prevention best practices in their restaurants’ kitchen

Shorenstein Realty Services, L.P.

Shorenstein owns and manages high-quality office and residential properties including a 20-building office campus with 1.8 million square feet in Lake Oswego. Shorenstein embraces environmental, social, and governance best practices as an opportunity to improve their business. Their efforts have added measurable value through reduced operating expenses and increased tenant satisfaction.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Publishes an annual sustainability report covering conservation and energy-saving efforts and achievements
• Is an EPA Energy Star partner and benchmarks all properties using Energy Star Portfolio Manager
• Installed high-efficiency HVAC computerized building automation systems and LED lighting
• Hosts an annual sustainability workshop for tenants to receive tools and resources to use in their own operations and to learn about local sustainability issues
• Holds electronics recycling and paper shredding events for tenants
• Installed low-flow and auto-control restroom fixtures to reduce water use
• Provides access to electric vehicle charging station for public use at no charge

Willamette View

Willamette View is the first continuing care retirement community founded in the Portland metro area. They are a not-for-profit organization offering a wide variety of services and programs for the people who live and work there and are an active participant in the local community. Willamette View’s staff and residents work together on a range of sustainability practices.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Collects food waste for compost in resident dining venues
• Uses LED lighting throughout the 27-acre campus
• Partners with Energy Trust of Oregon on energy-saving initiatives
• Participates in Clackamas County Adopt-A-Road program
• Supports an active and engaged resident Green Team
• Renovation projects are done according to green building standards

Services, retail

Akana

Akana is a Native American-owned firm providing design and consultation services in architecture, engineering, planning, and construction management. Sustainability and care for future generations are central to their design projects, consulting work, and office’s daily operations. Their services begin with a basis in ecology, protecting resources while utilizing locally sourced, resilient materials. They also provide continuous sustainability education for staff to adopt best practices in their daily lives.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Utilizes low-impact development techniques on projects to maximize reclamation of natural resources, protect the environment, and reduce operating costs
• Hosts sustainability events for staff including a bike week, green building tours, and forest bathing to foster a personal connection with the natural environment
• Green purchasing policies include selecting environmentally preferable products and buying from local suppliers
• LEEDTM-trained and -certified staff apply sustainability best practices on projects
• Encourages staff to include sustainability trainings in their professional development requirements
• Office plants selected to improve indoor air quality and make a better working environment

Aspen Pest Control

Aspen Pest Control is a locally owned pest management company offering residential and commercial services that are as safe as possible for children, pets and the environment. They prioritize integrated pest management practices that minimize the need for chemicals to begin with and, when needed, use the lowest toxicity chemicals they can. Sustainability practices that reduce waste and conserve resources are integrated across their operations, both in the field and in the office.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Saves fuel and reduces emissions through a no-idling policy, automatic start/stop technology in company trucks and route optimization software
• Uses an electronic records system to save paper and reduce field technicians’ driving time
• Safely recycles empty chemical containers and other items beyond the basic recyclables list
• Educates customers on sustainable pest prevention practices
• Continually researches and tests new products and practices to find even safer, effective options
• Organizes annual volunteer opportunities for employees and gives 10% of company profits to charitable causes

Canby Restore Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Diverts hundreds of tons of material from landfills each year by accepting hard-to-dispose-of items, including new and used furniture, appliances and surplus building materials
• Partners with local business to use carpet remnants for pack shipping
• Unplugs small appliances and workstations over night
• Uses motion sensor lighting

Dyke Vandenburgh Jewelers

Dyke Vandenburgh Jeweler's studio and showroom features a wide selection of Dyke's one-of-a-kind creations and fine quality designer jewelry from around the world. They also offer a variety of services, including laser welding technology, on-site gemologist, diamond and gemstone re-cutting, pearl and bead restringing, expert restoration, appraisals, engraving, and gemstone inlay and lapidary work.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Uses recycled-content precious metals and recycles scrap metals
• Uses fair-trade gemstones and conflict-free diamonds
• Recycles a variety of materials beyond the basics, including plastic film
• Upgraded to energy-efficient lighting
• Uses certified green cleaners
• Sponsors various local community projects and events

Elevate Wealth Advisors

Elevate Wealth Advisors specialize in retirement planning and asset management, with a focus on serving their local community. They incorporated sustainability decisions into an office move in 2016 and continue to evaluate day-to-day operations with sustainability in mind.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Prints double-sided as the default setting from a centralized printer
• Installed LED lighting
• Uses durable dishes and silverware in their lunchroom
• Uses green cleaners 
• Encourage clients to use paperless statement options
• Supports community events and actively participates in the community  

FCS Group

FCS Group provides financial, economic and utility management consulting services to the public sector. They provide analytical solutions to solve complex issues tailored specifically to their own communities. They strive to take care of our built, natural and social environment through internal and external sustainability practices including recycling beyond the basics, supporting low-impact commuting practices, buying recycled-content supplies and using municipal drinking water over bottled water.

Additional sustainable practices:

• Composts all food scraps
• Participates in a commuter challenge each year
• Uses double-sided printing and other paper reduction practices
• Conducted a waste audit that inspired a switch to centralized garbage and recycling containers

GeoEngineers, Inc.

GeoEngineers is an earth science and engineering firm with roots in the Pacific Northwest and a commitment to balancing the needs of the present with long-term planning for the future. GeoEngineers’ team strives to bring sustainability to all aspects of their business through reusing project materials when possible, promoting a culture of sustainability and greening their purchasing practices.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Sponsors an annual paid day for employees to volunteer at an organization of their choice and sponsors an annual financial donation match-drive
• Offers flexibility to telecommute to keep 300+ employees highly connected
• Recycles batteries, electronics and k-cups, and donates electronics and furniture to local organizations
• Provides public transportation and biking subsidies to employees, and holds an annual Bike Anywhere Commute Challenge company-wide
• Contracts with disadvantaged groups through their Inclusive Contracting Group

Great American Video & Espresso

Great American Video & Espresso is a family-owned and operated business serving the Milwaukie area since 1983. They offer espresso drinks, ice cream, authentic Mid-Western style frozen custard, which can be difficult to find this side of the Mississippi River. Plus, they still rent movies. They are committed to reducing their environmental impact where they can by recycling, composting, conserving energy and water usage and engaging their staff and customers in their efforts. 

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Collects coffee grounds and food scraps for compost
• Provides a discount to customers who bring a reusable coffee mug
• Upgraded to energy-efficient interior lighting 
• Includes vegan options in their snacks, baked goods, ice cream selection and espresso drinks menu
• Continually seeks to partner with vendors who offer sustainable or reusable packaging and requests vendors to consider more sustainable packaging

LiveEdge Eco Salon

LiveEdge Eco Salon is a full service, eco salon and artistry using fair-trade, ethically harvested, organic products. At LiveEdge, the mission is to make people feel beautiful and pampered while leaving the smallest footprint on our planet as possible. LiveEdge prides themselves in recycling or reusing over 95% of their waste, and continues to strive to better the planet. They embrace sustainability in a range of ways, thinking about what products are used and how they are treated after use, and always having the planet and the well-being of guests in mind.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Uses plant-based, ammonia-free and nontoxic products
• Certified by Green Circle Salons
• Uses glass or ceramic color bowls and drinking cups/mugs
• Staff volunteers for environmental-focused programs twice a year
• Highlights local entrepreneurs and sells Oregon-based products
• Uses digital systems to reduce paper use whenever possible

Lush Cosmetics

Lush Cosmetics makes fresh, handmade cosmetics with over 200 shops in North America, supplied by two cosmetic kitchens in Vancouver, Canada.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Sustainability is a company-wide priority that is mirrored in their products
• Companywide initiatives to get employees engaged such as “Weigh the Waste Challenge” and reward systems to promote green habits
• Use as little packaging as possible; many products have no packaging whatsoever and the others are made with 100% recycled content
• Recycle black pots through a closed loop process at their in-house recycling center
• Incentive program for customers to bring back containers to be recycled
• Purchase green cleaning products
• Use reusable towels at demo station instead of paper napkins

Maul Foster & Alongi

Maul Foster & Alongi is an employee-owned Pacific Northwest consulting firm providing diverse client types with services for environmental and engineering, planning and development, GIS and data analysis, communications, and health and safety. Sustainability is integrated into the company’s core and day-to-day operations.
Featured sustainability actions:

• Employee “Sustainability Squad” supports green initiatives company-wide and engages with staff to promote sustainability topics
• Consults on large projects to improve environmental conditions and health impacts
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee advances efforts related to hiring, company culture, business partnerships, giving, volunteering, and more
• Developed a strategic plan to incorporate and center company goals to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Provides staff eight hours of paid time for volunteer work each year

OBEC Consulting Engineers 

OBEC is a multi-discipline engineering firm that has provided practical engineering to Pacific Northwest clients since 1966. With six offices across Oregon and Washington, OBEC has enhanced its sustainability practices by adopting a range of policies related to employee education, resource conservation, and green purchasing.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Organized an interoffice sustainability committee that is responsible for developing recommendations for sustainable policies and practices and assisting with their implementation.
• Adopted firm-wide policies for sustainable practices and purchasing for operations, maintenance and building upgrades.
• New employee training includes help on sustainability practices, and employees can access a dedicated sustainability page via their intranet.
• Supports employee participation in a flexible schedule and telecommuting program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.
• Organizes quarterly “lunch n’ learn” sessions that focus on global and local impacts of climate change and how its sustainable practices impact the environment.

Government, nonprofits and educational institutions

Bridges to Change

Bridges to Change strengthens individuals and families affected by addiction, mental health, poverty and homelessness. Through a partnership with Clackamas County Community Corrections, mentoring and transitional housing is offered for a variety of populations throughout the county. By incorporating sustainable business practices and policies on economic, environmental, and social levels, Bridges to Change hopes to reduce its global impact while increasing awareness of employees, participants, and partners.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Provides living wages to employees
• Hires from disadvantaged populations
• Allows paid volunteer time for employees

City of West Linn

The City of West Linn serves residents, businesses and the natural environment by pursuing council goals to support a sustainable, healthy environment for all. The city’s five main buildings – city hall, the public library, the adult community center, the police station, and operations – all earned Gold or Silver certification thanks to green practices that prevent waste, maximize resources, protect the health of staff and visitors, and build long-term resiliency.
Featured sustainability actions:

• Receives 100% of its electricity from renewable sources via PGE’s Green Future Impact program
• Follows green purchasing policies for recycled-content materials, energy efficiency, low toxicity and buying local
• Recycles a wide range of materials beyond the basics at all locations
• Police station is a LEEDTM Silver green building
• Develops implementation strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through an interdepartmental employee group
• Centers resident voices to provide recommendations to City Council on sustainability efforts and related issues through the Sustainability Advisory Board

Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development

The Department of Transportation and Development assists Clackamas County residents and businesses in creating vibrant, sustainable communities through responsive public service. Sustainability efforts help serve the public by minimizing waste, conserving materials responsibly and promoting a healthier shared environment now and for generations.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Saves energy and water through various conservation technologies and practices
• Collects specialty materials such as batteries, toner cartridges, scrap metals, vehicle fluids and more for recycling
• Uses certified green cleaners that contribute to healthier spaces for staff and customers
• Transportation Maintenance staff maintain county roads and bridges for safe driving, keep vehicles operating efficiently, protect wildlife habitat and administer the Adopt-A-Road program to clean up litter along our roadways
• Development Services Building is LEED Gold certified and features a rooftop solar array

Clackamas Water Environment Services 

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) protects public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning more than 6 billion gallons of wastewater every year for more than 165,000 customers. WES also recovers energy and nutrients from the waste stream, and protects and improves watershed health through infrastructure development and community engagement. The Surface Water Management program provides water quality protection for the community through programs that reduce pollution in our rivers and wetlands caused by urban storm water runoff.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Upgraded the cogeneration plant at the Tri City Water Resource Recovery to more efficiently generate heat and power and therefore reduce consumption of purchased power. This engine is fueled from methane (biogas) that is produced by the recently expanded anaerobic digester complex, which reduces consumption of purchased natural gas. The cogeneration plant is sized to reducing Tri City’s future reliance on purchased electricity and natural gas.
• Purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs) and subscribes to community solar programs.
• Participates in PGE’s Demand Response Energy Partner program to reduce or shift energy use when demand is high, reduce costs across the grid.
• Replaced six gas powered vehicles with electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and has plans to replace more in the coming years. 
• Plans to install electric charging stations in anticipation of converting the fleet to electric over the next few years.

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

CCCF is a multi-custody prison that accommodates all of Oregon's female inmates. The prison has cell and dormitory housing, inmate work programs, skills training, education, treatment programs, health services, religious services, physical plant, warehouse space for on-site storage, a central records unit and administration areas.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Installed high-efficiency lighting and water fixtures
• Uses an extensive recycling program, and educates staff and inmates on waste reduction practices
• Recycles food scraps through on-site vermiculture and municipal composting programs
• Runs an endangered butterfly rearing program and propagates native plants in protected habitats with help from inmates
• Saves on food costs with a variety of food waste reduction practices
• Inmates repair old eyeglasses that are donated to people in need
• Implements and promotes sustainable practices through Green Team, with help from inmates

Exceed Enterprises

Exceed Enterprises, founded in 1968, provides training and employment for people with disabilities. Exceed’s trained work teams perform a variety of jobs at customer sites around the metro region, including services that help other businesses achieve sustainability goals and recycle more. Many manufacturers rely on Exceed to do light manufacturing, packaging and assembly.

Additional sustainability actions include:

• Provides vocational and personal development services for people with disabilities
• Provides services for clients that include repurposing materials, reworking defective products and performing sorting and quality control
• Uses green cleaners and reusable rags
• Implemented paper reduction strategies, especially in the Human Resources department
• Installed automatic lighting throughout production facility
• Landscapes without chemicals
• Supports an active Green Team to encourage and educate employees

Friends of Robinwood Station

Robinwood Station, a West Linn Community Center, is improved, managed and operated by the Friends of the Robinwood Station in conjunction with the City of West Linn. A variety of private and community events are held at the Station, and it has become a hub for the community.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Replaced lights with energy efficient T8 fluorescent or LEDs
• Reuse materials in construction
• Promote local events
• Emphasize edible landscaping and native plants
• Promote zero waste events

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest 

Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest has been responding to local community needs in the northwest for more than 60 years by recruiting, placing and supporting volunteers with organizations dedicated to social and environmental justice and advocacy. Each year, over 150 full-time Jesuit Volunteer AmeriCorps members commit to a year or more of service.

JVC Northwest staff strive to live out and promote ecological justice as a core value in their workplace, and encourage current and former volunteers to engage in eco-friendly practices and care for our common home.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Promotes sustainability efforts within the organization through an Eco-Justice Committee
• Named one of Oregon Business Magazine’s 100 Best Green Companies in Oregon since 2010
• Participates in the Northwest Earth Institute Eco-Challenge and The Street Trust Bike Challenge
• Created a procurement policy focused on environmental stewardship
• Implements an extensive recycling program and paper reduction strategies

Lake Oswego City Hall

Lake Oswego’s new city hall opened in 2021 and houses several city departments, including the manager’s office, police department, council chambers, municipal court and more. Construction followed LEED^TM standards for green building, incorporating materials and design features that save energy, conserve water, maintain healthy indoor air quality, and make ongoing operations more efficient. Policies also keep staff engaged with day-to-day sustainability efforts.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Provides 5-7% of energy onsite with rooftop solar array, with space to add more panels
• Encourages low-impact transportation by staff and visitors with electric vehicle charging and secure bike parking options
• Prioritizes energy-efficient electronics, recycled-content office supplies, green cleaners, and office furniture that don’t off-gas toxic chemicals using green purchasing policies
• Recycles food scraps, toner cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, pallets and plastic film

Lake Oswego United Church of Christ

Lake Oswego United Church of Christ is an open and affirming, Earthwise and Just Peace congregation that holds a weekly Sunday morning worship as well as ongoing activities for faith education, spiritual growth, and community mission.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Endorses and follows a sustainability policy for employee training, environmentally preferred purchasing and best practices
• Green Team promotes use of reusable plates and napkins, carpooling, healthy eating habits at church functions and avoiding packing foam
• Keeps congregation informed of sustainable actions through monthly newsletter
• Installed insulated windows
• Manage two acres of wooded land sustainably without use of pesticides
• Maintain two rain gardens and a bio-swale to filter water run-off from property

Sandy Community Action Center

The Sandy Community Action Center is a hunger relief agency that serves the residents of the Oregon Trail School District. The Center provides residents food boxes, daily bread and pastries, clothing cards, monthly food baskets and energy assistance.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

• Compost food scraps that cannot be donated
• Recycles a variety of materials beyond the basics, including plastic film
• Use energy efficient lighting inside and out
• Provide food boxes to households in need
• Purchase products made of recycled content materials
• Provide energy assistance through the Heat Oregon program
• Donate in-kind services to the community