Southampton, NY - June 3, 2014 - As part of her "A Greener Southampton" initiative, Councilwoman Christine Scalera is looking to incorporate a Green Business Spotlight into the program. In 2012, the Councilwoman began the "A Greener Southampton - The Solution is in the Bag" program as an effort to encourage the public and businesses to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, increase recycling and promote the use of reusable bags in the Town. The "A Greener Southampton - the Solution is in the Bag" campaign has proved education works. Since it started, recycling of thin film plastic at the Town's transfer stations has increased by 24 % and there has been a 70 % decrease of plastic bags collected during the Great East End Clean Up.
"When I started the 'A Greener Southampton' initiative, my goal was to focus on various projects under this umbrella, "said Councilwoman Scalera, "the first was our reusable bag program which has been a remarkable success and now we are going to add a Green Business Spotlight so that we can showcase our local businesses demonstrating that they are environmentally conscious."
The Councilwoman has organized a selection committee that is comprised of members of the Towns Sustainability Committee, Municipal Works Department and business community to select the business that will be receiving the recognition. Businesses that would like to be considered need to demonstrate at least one of the following criteria:
1 - Energy Efficiency
2 - Waste Reduction/Recycling
3 - Water Conservation
4 - Pollution Prevention
5 - Green Building
6 - Transportation/Commuting
***examples of this would be offering reusable bags, energy efficient lighting, installing bike racks so employees and customers can ride a bicycle rather than driving, etc:
The selection committee will choose a business for the "A Greener Southampton - Green Business Spotlight" on a bi-monthly basis to start and the selected business will be featured on the "A Greener Southampton" website, the Hamptons Visitors Council website and featured in the local press. For more information on "A Greener Southampton - Green Business Spotlight" or to submit your business for consideration please email: greenbusiness@southamptontownny.gov or contact Councilwoman Scalera at 631-287-5745.