Green Business is Growing

Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, announced the expansion of the Westchester Green Business (WGB) program in New York State today at the quarterly Westchester Green Business Leaders in Sustainability Speaker Series held at Westchester Community College.

Westchester Green Business was awarded funding through The Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative (CGC), a statewide program, to incorporate sustainability goals and principles into local decision-making, and leading to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the generation of economic benefits.

The Westchester Green Business program is the region’s only green business certification program and currently has 71 member businesses and organizations of various sizes in a cross section of industries. The program began in 2009 as a partnership between The Business Council of Westchester and Westchester County.

“The business community understands that going green helps them to save money, increase employee morale, attract stakeholders and earn respect for their leadership,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. “Support for this innovative program provides businesses in Westchester and throughout New York State with the tools they need to successfully integrate sustainable business practices into company operations.”

WGB receives support from Con Edison and The Westchester Community Foundation as well as a variety of sponsors that are members of the program. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has been a Westchester Green Business member since 2010.

Joanne Deyo, Regeneron’s Vice President of Facilities stated: “Not only has the cost savings for Regeneron been substantial, but more importantly the morale and engagement of our employees has been beyond rewarding. They are invested in our company’s future goals and have become more aware of how to live a more sustainable life outside of work, and that’s how we are going to make impactful changes over time.”

Westchester Green Business Director Dani Glaser added: “WGB members are among the region’s most innovative, respected and resourceful professionals. They network, share best practices, and collaborate. Support through the Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative allows us to expand an affordable, turnkey system where businesses can measure their organization’s impact on the environment and make specific, purposeful changes to reduce it.”