ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS GREEN BUSINESS CHALLENGE

The St. Louis Green Challenge inspires businesses to form green teams and implement strategies to reduce energy and waste, expand sustainability programs and reduce your company's environmental impact. 69 companies completed in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge in 2011.

ST. LOUIS GREEN BUSINESS CHALLENGE CLASS OF 2011

THE CHALLENGE SCORECARD
The Challenge requires participants to complete sustainability strategies from a scorecard that contains categories of outreach, energy reduction, indoor environmental quality, waste reduction, and clean transportation options. Each sustainability strategy is worth a specific number of points. In 2011, 200 points were possible with extra credit points given for innovative activities.

The first step for a participating company will be to complete the scorecard to establish a baseline score of current sustainability activities. Each new sustainability strategy completed by the company or organization receives points off the scorecard.  Participating companies will receive awards based on their growth from their original baseline score. To view the 2011 St. Louis Green Challenge Scorecard questions, click here.  Extra credit is available for innovations like measuring a company's carbon footprint, using renewable energy on-site, or permeable pavement installation.

The Challenge is assisted by an Advisory Committee (see About us section) who helped design the scorecard questions and scoring system.  Businesses will be on their honor for achievement of the sustainability strategies; however, some sustainability strategies may require documentation to the Advisory Committee.

KEY DATES
February 9, 2011 - Enrollment begins for participating teams
February 23, 2011 - Kick-off seminar for participating teams at RCGA offices from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
March 11, 2011 - Deadline for entry into St. Louis Green Business Challenge
March 15, 2011 - Complete Baseline Scorecard due to the St. Louis Green Business Challenge Staff at the RCGA.
October 17, 2011 - Complete Final Scorecard and turn into the St. Louis Green Business Challenge Staff
December 6, 2011 - Award Ceremony Recognition event for participating teams

SUPPORT FOR TEAMS
Participating teams will be invited to seminars focused on implementing their sustainability strategies. These free seminars will address:

• Building An Effective Green Team
• Reducing Your Energy Usage
• Working with Vendors to Implement Your Sustainability Policy
  
• Communicating Sustainability to Your Customers
• Renewable Energy Options
  
• Green Products and Services
  
• Clean Transportation for Fleet Operations and Employees
  

Look on the calendar of events page for dates, times, and locations of these seminars.

Participating teams will also receive assistance from EarthWays Center - a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden who will serve as St. Louis Green Business Challenge Resource Advisor. This Advisor will be available to answer participating teams questions and improve their sustainability strategies.
 

For questions about entering the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, contact Eric Schneider at (314) 444-1148 or eschneider@stlrcga.org