First Businesses ‘Going Beyond’

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) is pleased to announce Renae Marie and the Durango Double Tree Hotel as the first businesses to be certified at the ‘Going Beyond’ level. This is the highest level of certification in the program and is only achieved by implementing three improvements in each area of energy efficiency, worksite wellness, and sustainability.

"We have worked hard to bring our business into the light, both literally and figuratively," said Renae Muller, owner of Renae Marie Apparel and Gifts. Our utility bills have decreased and our employees are enjoying new benefits. I feel good knowing that we are making a positive impact in our community and our world by becoming more sustainable with the eco-friendly products we carry and recycling efforts made within the store. The partnership with the RSBP and La Plata Electric Association have made reaching the ‘Going Beyond’ level of Resource Smart Certification an easier task."

Renae Marie made energy efficiency improvements, including changing their lighting system to LEDs,>installing weather stripping on the front door, and insulating their water heater. Worksite wellness was improved by creating "The Box of Gratitude" for employee recognition, providing a wellness package to staff that aligns with personal interests and needs, and providing healthy snacks for employees. Sustainability was improved by creating a new green business mission statement, carrying eco-friendly products, and re-purposing salvaged doors and wood to make display tables. These changes equate to an estimated $1,370 saved per year.

The DoubleTree Hotel in Durango changed their rooftop, restaurant, and parking lot lighting to LEDs, and upgraded the meters on the rooftop air handlers to improve energy efficiency. Sustainability improvements include sharing sustainability information and tips with staff and stakeholders, setting up new computers on power strips, proposing a Director of Sustainability to coach all of the Hilton branches on integrating sustainability into hotel operations, and joining the City of Durango’s ‘Way to Go club’ to encourage alternative commuting methods. Wellness actions include the creation of a comprehensive wellness program focused on physical activity, mental wellness and healthy eating, with a mentor program and support system for achieving individual plans and goals, an incentive system to encourage and track participation, provision of healthy meals at work, a corporate discount rate at the Durango Recreation Center for employees, and wellness education in newsletters. These upgrades are anticipated to save them almost $14,000 in annual operation costs.

Renae Marie is located at 809 Main Ave. in Durango or at www.facebook.com/pages/Renae-Marie-Apparel. The DoubleTree in Durango is located at 501 Camino Del Rio and can be found at http://doubletree3.hilton.com. 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.

About RSBP

The Resource Smart Business Program is a voluntary certification program that helps La Plata County businesses identify potential areas for improvement and implement smart business decisions that reduce operational costs, improve employee wellness, boost brand integrity, and increase profitability. Participating businesses learn how to assess energy consumption, worksite wellness and overall sustainability. Businesses that complete the six-step certification and make positive changes based on program recommendations become ‘Resource Smart Certified’ and receive recognition and promotion for their efforts. RSBP is administered by the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) in collaboration with , Local First that was awarded to La Plata County in 2012. For more information, please visit www.resourcesmartbusiness.com.