Alliance holds gathering on eco-friendly business

Cornerstone Grill and Loft's bar drew a different crowd last night than its typical weekend clientele, as about a dozen business owners gathered to discuss their establishments' eco-conscious goals.

The College Park Neighborhood Business Alliance, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting independent businesses in the city with "buy local" efforts, hosted its first networking venture since the coalition of local establishments formed earlier this year. The event, called "Build a Greener Business," brought together various business owners — from those who have the word "organic" in their title to those looking to implement more sustainable business practices — to fuel a discussion on creating an environmentally-friendly business.

"Building a greener business is a global thing, not just College Park," said Chrissy Rey, the event's coordinator and director of CPNBA.

The night began with business owners talking with one another to establish this "global" goal and capped off with a talk from Laura Armstrong, coordinator for the Maryland Green Registry — a government organization that allows community groups to direct their green efforts through online profiles measuring their accomplishments.

She offered advice to business owners on bolstering their green value. She highlighted her three-step "recipe for success" for creating a green-friendly business: maintaining a clear commitment to sustainability that comes directly from the company's owner or president, establishing a "green team" and setting an annual environmental goal.

The event drew several business owners with their own sustainability goals in mind. Therese Forbes — owner of Honey Glow, a business that sells natural skin products in the city — said her store consistently produces zero waste.

"I think it's very important for any individual or business to manufacture things as green as possible," she said.

The event's coordinator and acting director of CPNBA, Rey said MOM's Organic Market, which has a location in the city, is a good model for sustainability practices, as it uses all LED lighting and provides incentives to customers who use reusable bags.

Aimee Herman, local sales manager for Jason's Deli in the city, said the store does not actively recycle, but it encourages the practice with compostable to-go containers and recyclable trays.

"Our company is already in the process of trying to do more things that are green," she said. "We're trying to definitely be more environmentally-friendly."

Paul Patel — president of Sandalwood Management Inc., which owns the city's Quality Inn, Clarion Inn and Asian Fusion restaurant — said recycling is an important practice for businesses and should not be exclusive to residents. He highlighted the Quality Inn's use of florescent bulbs and recycling bins as an extra step his hotel has taken to promote sustainable living.

"It not only saves energy and bottom-line, but at the same time, customers like that," he said.

Erin Miller, who co-owns a quilting business in the city Everyday Quilts, said while the use of recyclable materials in her products is costly — and inevitably the customers foot the bill — it's worth the added price.

"It's more expensive, but we feel it's beneficial, especially to the customers in this area," she said. "To have that available to customers to choose, I think that's really important."

bach@umdbk.com