Mentors make it easy to be green
Program offers help to business looking to be environmentally friendly
Businesses looking to go green don't have to go it alone.
Business owners who've already started on their green journey are offering advice through the greenTbiz Smart Mentors program. The mentors are business owners who have embraced environmentally friendly business practices and are encouraging others to do the same.
"The Smart Mentor program is an optional program once (these businesses) have made these changes to join and serve as an example," said Chantal Brundage, program manager.
Many times it can be overwhelming for businesses to begin to make changes and adopt practices that are good for the environment, so the mentors are there to share the ways they've been able to do it. The Smart Mentor companies demonstrate that going green can be as good for the business as it is for the environment.
Interested business owners can view video testimonials from some of the Smart Mentors on the greenTbiz website ( www.greentbiz.org ). They can hear why they decided to go green, what changes they made and how greenTbiz helped.
"This is something that once you put the effort in and see the value you want to share with your colleagues," Brundage said.
Smart Mentors come from a variety of business sectors, including food services, retail and personal care. By taking some basic steps toward energy efficiency, such as changing their lighting, each one was able to green their operations and save money.
For anyone considering greening their business, greenTbiz offers the greenAssist program. It provides advice and strategies for making environmentally friendly business decisions. In its first year of operation, the program has already assisted more than 150 businesses in the GTA.
The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, TABIA, developed the greenTbiz program in an effort to assist the BIAs, their member business and property owners with energy conservation, environmental programs and general education and awareness.
