2011 Greener Florence Award Recipients

During the June 6th, 2011 City Council meeting, three Florence-area businesses were honored with "A Greener Florence" awards for their efforts in reducing their organization's impacts on the environment. The winners were chosen by members of the Environmental Management and Advisory Committee (EMAC). Representatives from Oregon Pacific Bank,  Real Food Co-Op and Three Rivers Casino & Hotel received "A Greener Florence" certificate from Florence Mayor Phil Brubaker for their efforts in reusing, recycling, reducing and composting. New to this year's awards was the implementation of a perpetual plaque for the year's top "A Greener Florence" business selected by EMAC. This year's top business was Real Food Co-Op. Congratulations to all of this year's winners!

Oregon Pacific Bank

• Installed energy efficient lighting and low-flow water fixtures when finance center was constructed.
• Recycled 10 tons of paperwork in 2010.
• Has Recycling Centers in all branches, includes Styrofoam to take to casino.
• Uses recycled paper for promotional items. Office paper products are either recycled content or certified fair trade.
• Hosts a Free Shred Day in which it collected 13 tons in 3010.
• A major contributor for the Florence Green Fair.

Three Rivers Casino and Hotel

• Established co-mingle recycling stations in all departments.
• Recycles cooking oil and printer copier toners and ink cartridges.
• Espresso grounds available for composting in gift shop.
• After completing expansion construction, reduced trash content by 70% from 2009.
• Developed new #6 foam recycling program for their own cups and to-go containers. In December ,2010, started offering service to public on first Monday of the month.

Real Food Co-Op

• Uses all-natural cleaners.
• Installed water-reducers on sinks and toilets.
• Purchases locally when available. Buys from those that use compostable packaging.
• Encourages reuse of bags or baskets by not offering plastic or paper bags (except produce, which are made of recycled materials).
• Reuses paper products for other uses, reuses egg cartons and plastic and glass materials.
• Set-up Styrofoam recycling centers throughout City to take to casino.
• Composts 200 pounds of food and paper products per month.
• Educates customers and members about recycling, composting and the importance of reducing carbon footprint.