A-1 Builders: The joys, challenges, and bottom line to being “green”

Would you like to be more profitable by lessening the environmental impact of your business or organization, boosting customer loyalty and saving money? Are you interested in applying ideas through your business or organization that result in both a stronger and healthier local economy?

What:

An On-Site Business Visit – The first in a series of on-site business visits highlighting examples of “local living economies,” and the requirements for, and benefits to, local businesses. Presented by Sustainable Connections, Northwest Washington’s Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.

Award-winning local business leader, Rick Dubrow of A-1 Builders, will present clear examples of how his business and life have prospered from making conscious decisions to strengthen community, improve local economy, and protect our planet and this area’s natural beauty

Sustainable Connections members and anyone who wants to learn more about this network should join us for a fun and meaningful evening at member company, A-1 Builders.  Owner, Rick Dubrow, will open his business to us and share his continuous journey, and the effects his environmental, community, and local economy choices have had on his employees, customers, and bottom line.

After a brief presentation of the practices that helped A-1 Builders win the 2001 Governor’s Award for Waste Reduction and Sustainable Practices, everyone will have an opportunity to cycle through tours of:

Office practices – waste management; duplex copying; high grading paper recycling; 100% post consumer/GOOS (good-on-one-side) paper; Honda Insight as bidding vehicle

Building practices - SmartWood certified wood; advanced framing; vegetable oil concrete form oil; debris sorting; SWAP loader truck; ‘absolutely free’ area

Xeriscaping - no lawns; no herbicides/pesticides; near-zero watering

Adaptations’ showroom walk-through - “green” building materials; discussion of design goals to minimize a client’s need for additional space

*Sponsored by the Community Food Co-op and the RE Store*

Where:
A-1 Builders, 3310 Northwest Avenue (1/8 mile north of Albertsons in Bellingham)

When:
6pm-8pm, Wednesday, May 29th

Who:
On-site representatives from -

• Builders Alliance - provides SmartWood certified lumber and Natural Select treated wood
• Sanitary Service Corp – provides sorting containers, hazardous waste consulting
• Laurel Landscaping - designed and installed xeriscaping
• RE Store – provides used building materials; salvages and deconstructs buildings
• Adaptations - design division of A-1 Builders

Cost:
$8 (applies toward membership);
$4 Sustainable Connections Individual Members; Business/Organization Members are $Free
Wine, cheese, Q&A and good conversation included.