The Sustany® Foundation and Tampa Downtown Partnership Recognize Sustainable Businesses.
Local businesses are saving some green as they go green. As ten downtown Tampa businesses implement sustainability plans, they have discovered sustainability goes hand in hand with business profitability. Under Sustany®’s guidance, University of Tampa and University of South Florida student sustainability specialists worked with businesses to evaluate their current operational practices.
The student specialists researched and identified opportunities for businesses to reduce waste, improve efficiency in energy and water usage, and become better connected with community resources. The participating businesses have begun implementing some of these new found practices, and already finding financial benefits. Practices range from the traditional recycling efforts and tinted windows, to more cutting edge ideas of reuse of oyster shells, vertical gardening, and employee education on alternative transportation options.
“We want to have a positive environmental impact and source locally but the program also stressed cost-savings which is important to us because we do not want to pass costs onto the consumer,” – Sing Xuan Hurt, Anise Global Gastrobar.
On Earth Day, the Sustany® Foundation, in collaboration with Tampa Downtown Partnership, will recognize businesses with green business certification from the City of Tampa.
Participating Downtown Tampa Businesses:
- Bamboozle Café and Bamboozle Tea Lounge
- Anise Global Gastrobar
- Duckweed Urban Market
- Renaissance Planning Group
- Sunny Side-Up
- Zudar’s Deli
- City Bike Tampa
- Moxie’s Café
- Malio’s Prime Steakhouse
- 22squared
Two events to celebrate and spotlight participating businesses:
| What: | Sustany® Sustainable Business Program (SSBP) Recognition Ceremony |
| When: | Tuesday April 22, 2014, 2:30-3:15pm (ceremony open to the public) |
| Where: | Tampa City Council Chambers 315 East Kennedy Boulevard City Hall, 3rd Floor |
| Why: | The business case for sustainability is well-proven. Long term growth strategies are inseparable from social, economic, and natural resource concerns. Benefits include:
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| What: | Sustainable Restaurant Walking Tour |
| When: | Tuesday April 22, 2014, 5:30-9:00pm |
| Where: | Tour starting at Duckweed Urban Market and proceeds to Bamboozle Café, Malio’s Prime Steakhouse, and Anise Global Gastrobar. |
| Why/How: | Showcasing some of the participating businesses. Tickets are $10 and include small plates, a guided walking route, and door prizes from Sustainable Business Program merchants. Purchase tickets at http://sustany.org. |