City Clean and Green Commission Announces 2024 Sustainability Awards

A record number of local businesses received the award this year.

by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT

Fredericksburg City’s Clean and Green Commission is recognizing 31 city businesses with its annual Sustainability Award, the commission announced Friday.

The awards are given to businesses that agree to implement at least nine sustainable practices—up from the seven practices that were required to receive the award last year.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Examples of such practices are eliminating single-use items such as plastic utensils and Styrofoam carry-out containers; eliminating plastic bags; sourcing food locally; incentivizing customers to bring their own carry-out containers; transitioning to energy efficient lighting; and using EPA-recognized safe cleaning products.

Several winners of the 2024 Sustainability Award are pursuing additional creative practices, such as hosting river clean ups, including reused and recycled materials in their product lines, and offering free recycling of electronic waste at their business.

“We are pleased that a record 31 city businesses met the sustainability award criteria in 2024 and business participation has increased each subsequent year we have offered the award,” said Robert Courtnage, chair of the Commission’s sustainability committee, in a press release about the award.

Committee member Sarah Hurst said the Commission is proud of these businesses and the impact they are making by increasing local environmental sustainability practices.

George Solley, Chair of the Clean and Green Commission, credited Courtnage and Hurst with establishing the Sustainability Award and expanding it each year.

“The level of participation by local businesses indicates a real commitment by business owners to adopt environmentally friendly practices, and we look forward to expanding the program further in the coming years,” he said.

The 2024 awardees have received a storefront sticker to display and will be celebrated for their efforts on social media. They will also be recognized at an upcoming Fredericksburg City Council meeting.

Additionally, a map showing the location of the businesses will be provided at the city’s Visitor Center.

Below is a list of the 2024 Sustainability Award winners:

• Fredericksburg Food Co-op

• Foode

• Whiskey Rebellion

• Orofino

• Castiglia’s

• Fraser Wood

• Tapa Rio

• Phosphene

• Old Towne Butcher

• Ironclad Inn

• La Petite Auberge

• Downtown Salon

• Ponshop

• River Rock Outfitters

• Riverby Books

• Katora

• Centerpiece Studios

• Blue Sage Message Studio

• Whitby’s

• FXBG Technology

• Global Thread and Thrift

• Collage Spa (both locations)

• Sammy T’s

• Latitudes Fair Trade

• Haley’s Honey Meadery

• Dragon Fly Yoga Studios (both locations)

• Italian Station

• City Vino

• Abner B’s Ice Cream

For more information on the 2024 Sustainability Award winners, visit the Clean and Green Commission’s website.

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