Is Your Business Ready to
Make the Sustainable Push?
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies now boasts 63 members,
including five along the Northeast Corridor. Check out these resources to
learn how to make your own business more sustainable or to find businesses
in your community already doing so.
BALTIMORE Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance is
dedicated to educating the public about the importance of
supporting the local economy and to encouraging busi-
nesses and consumers to be environmentally sustainable
and socially responsible ( csballiance.org).
BOSTON Committed to the philosophy that, to survive
and thrive, members of the Sustainable Business Net-
work of Greater Boston must minimize the impact of their
activities on natural systems ( sbnboston.org).
NEW YORK CITY Members of Sustainable Business Net-
work New York City are committed to creatively sustaining and
growing both their businesses and the communities in which they
operate by embracing practices that protect the environment and improve
neighborhoods ( sbnyc.org).
PHILADELPHIA Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia—a
group of social entrepreneurs, investors and nonprofit leaders—is guided by
the “triple bottom line” principle of building a more socially, environmentally
and financially sustainable local economy ( sbnphiladelphia.org).
WASHINGTON, D.C. Local First D.C. promotes and advocates on behalf of
independent, locally owned businesses in the D.C. area by facilitating collective purchasing power, encouraging sustainable business practices and
educating entrepreneurs ( thinklocalfirstdc.org).
says Keith Losoya, executive director
of the alliance.
Many business owners believe that
going green means putting their bank
accounts in the red, Losoya adds, which
is not always true. Some restaurants
and bars that belong to the alliance, for
instance, have begun composting food
waste. “It’s better for the environment
and it’s cost e ective because they’re
paying fewer landfill fees,” Losoya
points out.
The Balancing Act
Back in Philadelphia, Edelman is working with the Chestnut Hill Business
Association to encourage fellow shop
owners to adopt sustainable practices.
This past fall, neighborhood stores
began o ering reusable canvas shopping
bags to customers, and Edelman says
this is only the beginning. “We’re going to
educate business owners who may not see
the connections between their decisions
and strain on the world’s resources.”
Edelman wants Chestnut Hill businesses
to understand that simple changes, such
as switching to concentrated detergents
or buying clean energy, will o set their
operating costs in the long-run.
Still, Edelman hasn’t gotten so caught
up in going green that she’s forgotten
why Night Kitchen Bakery regulars keep
coming back—for the amazing pastries,
of course. That’s why she swings by the
farmers market in the morning and picks
up ingredients for strawberry rhubarb
pie. She places a small handwritten card
next to the warm dish, letting customers
know it’s made with local fruit.
If that doesn’t seduce them, the sweet
smells certainly will.
Make us your first stop as
you leave the train.
AU BON PAIN LOCATIONS
Next stop,
We will give you 15%
off your order when
you show today’s
Amtrak ticket.
Union Station
WASHINGTON DC
Street Level
Penn Station
NEW YORK
34th St. Main Concorse
Level LIRR, Track 20
South Station
BOSTON
Grand Concourse
30th St. Station
PHILADELPHIA
Grand Concourse,
North East Corner
Must present today’s valid Amtrak ticket at checkout. Valid
at the above locations only. One discount per person per
visit. Not redeemable for cash. Non-transferable. Copies
are void. No exceptions will be made. Not valid on cater-
ing orders. Not to be used in conjunction with any other
offers. Expiration: 4/30/09. CLU# 5824741
