Four More Businesses are Now Resource Smart Certified

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) recently certified Maria’s Bookshop, Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Pet Haus and San Juan Basin Health Department as ‘Ramping Up’. The RSBP process is helping them to make positive changes in their business and our community by reducing energy consumption, increasing worksite wellness and promoting sustainable business practices in the workplace. These businesses have made upgrades that will ultimately increase their profits by saving money on their bottom line.

“This program is guiding us on a path to deeper efficiency for our business,” said Peter Schertz, owner of Maria’s Bookshop. “Our staff is excited about the benefits and ideas the RSBP has introduced.  The culture of our work place as well as that of employee’s homes has shifted.”

Maria’s changed their lighting system by replacing 116 CFL light bulbs with LEDs, resulting in annual savings of $1,748, an investment with a return on investment of less than one year. They have also previously installed a bike rack for customers in the parking space outside the store, provide incentives to employees that choose not to drive, purchase 100% green power, built a shed to store reusable cardboard boxes for the community, and much more.

Pet Haus installed a thermal entrance door to minimize air infiltration and heat loss, and upgraded lighting to LEDs. Their estimated annual savings of $415 is expected to pay for itself in less than 6 months. Other Resource Smart actions previously taken by Pet Haus include sourcing local and made in Colorado pet products, offering whole, raw, organic and non-GMO pet food options, using green cleaning products, offering biodegradable plastic bags for products, accepting drop-off plastic bags for re-use, using slow-drip irrigators and xeriscape landscaping, and installing low-flow toilets and sink aerators, among other activities.

Housing Solutions for the Southwest installed programmable thermostats for swamp coolers, insulated and air sealed their warehouse garage door, replaced their bathroom exhaust fan for better ventilation, and signed up for single-stream recycling. Their estimated annual savings is $97 and 2,362 kWh.

San Juan Basin Health Department signed up for single-stream recycling and is working on building upgrades. Other Resource Smart Actions previously taken by San Juan Basin Health Department include ordering post-consumer recycled paper products, setting printers to print double-sided automatically, and sending out an educational wellness newsletter to staff, among other activities.

Maria’s Bookstore is located at 960 Main Avenue in Durango or at www.mariasbookshop.com. Pet Haus is located at 1444 Main in Durango or at www.pethaus.net. Housing Solutions for the Southwest is located in Bodo at 295 Girard St. in Durango or at swhousingsolutions.com. San Juan Basin Health is located at 281 Sawyer Dr. in Durango or at sjbhd.org. Stop by their businesses to support Resource Smart Certified businesses.

For more information or to apply for RSBP certification, please visit the website or contact Amanda Saunders with 4CORE at (970) 259-1916.