Knoxville, TN

A membership program that offers support to participating businesses that agree to engage in green strategies.

Recycling one aluminum can is equivalent to saving six ounces of gas. This figure was introduced to the Knoxville Chamber during a presentation by a Tennessee materials management company, and after hearing the case for the importance of recycling to this local business and to the nation at large, the Knoxville Chamber was eager to jump on board.

In its effort to employ greener operations, the Chamber concentrated on the three tenets of sustainability—reduce, reuse, recycle—and has made significant strides to date. In the second quarter of 2009, from March 6th through June 6th, the Knoxville Chamber saved 42 pounds of aluminum, the equivalent of 19.8 barrels of oil; 560 pounds of plastic, or 11.8 cubic yards of landfill space; and 4,200 pounds of paper, saving approximately 36 trees. With their own organization on track to a more sustainable future, the Chamber turned its energies to encouraging member businesses to do the same.

In July 2009, the Knoxville Chamber launched the Green Business Recognition Program to bring due praise to local companies engaged in green strategies. Membership to the program is based on performance in the areas of recycling, waste reduction, purchasing, water and energy conservation, involving stakeholders, and transportation. To help Knoxville companies get started, the Chamber’s recognition program provides a “tip sheet” and works with GoGreenET.com, an online resource created to provide eastern Tennessee companies basic information about products and services that are more sustainable.

Once admitted to the program, companies are featured in a monthly newsletter published in the Greater Knoxville Business Journal that is distributed to over 13,500 readers. Members are also highlighted on the Chamber’s website and receive a window cling for their business. The powerful marketing and branding opportunities provided by the Chamber’s Green Business Recognition Program are making going green the clear choice for companies in Knoxville, Tennessee.

For more information on this program: Green Business Recognition Program