Columbus, Ohio May 19, 2000 – Mayor Michael B. Coleman presented the first annual GreenSpotLight recognition to three local businesses during his welcome address to the Green Building Expo and Get Green Business Conference. Members of Mayor Coleman’s Green Team selected one small, medium and large-sized business whose commitment demonstrates excellence in business practices that produce environmental benefits. Based on information provided in 2008 GreenSpot annual reports, those businesses are: Homeport, Whole Foods Market (Dublin) and Battelle Memorial Institute.

"GreenSpot provides a framework for businesses to use to take practical steps toward lessening their environmental impact,” Coleman said. “I am proud of the three businesses receiving recognition today and we hope others will follow the example they set in their commitment to get green.”

Mayor Coleman launched GreenSpot in July 2008 as part of his Get Green Columbus initiative. Developed to inspire, educate and recognize those in our community who are taking steps to protect our environment, the Web-based program now has over 1,200 members taking steps toward protecting the health and future of our community.

Aparna Dial, Director of Energy Services and Sustainability at The Ohio State University and, chairs the committee charged with selecting outstanding businesses. “There are so many GreenSpot businesses changing everyday behavior to conserve energy, conserve and protect water and reduce waste,” Dial said. “They each have a story to tell and today we shine a spotlight on three that stand out as driving positive environmental change in our community.”

GreenSpot businesses not only provide real environmental benefits to Columbus, they also have a competitive advantage. Some examples include:

Reusing furniture saved Battelle over $60,000 in 2008, and contracting to have documents shredded and recycled kept 54.45 tons of waste from going to the landfill last year. In total, Battelle saved over $241,000 through waste reduction.

For fiscal year 2008, Whole Foods Market diverted 85.1% of their waste stream – over 2.5 million pounds of waste – from the landfill; recycling efforts brought $20,000 in revenue and saved an additional $23,000 in fees.

Homeport goes to great lengths to produce housing that is affordable and sustainable and recognizes that the residents are the ones who can make the biggest difference. GreenSpot has helped them introduce a comprehensive initiative to residents.

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