Green Washington Awards 2012: Consumer/Retail

WINNER: Brooks Sports, Bothell

Manufacturer of high-performance running shoes, apparel, and accessories.

Green Actions: From the sole to the shoebox, the running shoes from Brooks Sports are as sustainable as they come. Brooks uses a compression molded pre-form procedure to build its midsoles, reducing excess materials in the process, and it pioneered BioMoGo, the industrys first biodegradable midsole compound. Add in the use of water-based adhesives instead of volatile organic compounds, aka VOCs, as well as 100 percent post-consumer recycled shoeboxes, and shoelaces that are made from recycled plastics, and Brooks shoes always come out smelling like a rose. Results: Brooks estimates that BioMoGo will eliminate 30 million pounds of landfill waste in the next 25 years, and the company has reduced its use of VOCs by 65 percent. At headquarters, an alternative commuting challenge has encouraged more than a quarter of Brooks employees to bicycle, run, walk or car-pool to work. In the first half of 2012, those efforts eliminated almost 30,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

SILVER AWARD: GreenCupboards Inc., Spokane
Internet retailer of sustainably produced products ranging from groceries to solar panels.

Green Actions: GreenCupboards sources the greenest products and brands so its customers dont have to. The companys Green Compliance Team researches every product that is sold on GreenCupboards.com, and allows customers to search for 24 popular eco-traits, including biodegradable, carbon neutral, cruelty free items. The company recently relocated to a LEED-certified facility in Spokane and ships all of its orders with carbon neutral delivery. Results: Traffic to GreenCupboards.com has increased by 700 percent in the past year, and 2012 sales are expected to exceed $20 million.

More information: Green Washington Awards