Categories for Green Business

“Lead The EV Charge” – The First Electric Vehicle Purchasing Cooperative is HERE!

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich issued a challenge to County residents and businesses today to “Lead the EV Charge” by pledging to buy electric vehicles as the County launched the Washington Region’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) Purchasing Cooperative pilot program. The initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of EVs by the public in an

Homegrown County Businesses on the Forefront of Sustainability

For over a decade, Montgomery County has prioritized climate action in its work. In June 2021, the County released its Climate Action Plan, a roadmap for the County to reach zero emissions and increase resilience. However, government action alone is not sufficient to achieve our climate goals. The County’s business community plays a critical role

Introducing the Green Bank’s Communications and Community Engagement Manager: Tyniah McDuffie

The Montgomery County Green Bank is a publicly-chartered nonprofit dedicated to accelerating affordable energy efficiency and clean energy investment in Montgomery County, MD. We partner with the private sector to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusively prosperous, resilient, sustainable, and healthy community. Their work supports Montgomery County’s goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

New Green Building Incentives: Working Together for Energy Efficiency

In 2018, Montgomery County DEP led a group of stakeholders to review the County’s green building property tax credit for commercial and multifamily buildings. The credit had been in place since 2006 and incentivized green building certifications similar to the LEED rating system. The stakeholder workgroup produced a report recommending updates and improvements, which were
TPSS Food Co-op Mural

Certified Green Businesses Step Up During COVID-19 Crisis

During this challenging time, I’ve been taking solace in the incredibly selfless actions on the part of frontline workers and ordinary folks helping out their fellow human beings.  I try to focus on how the current crisis has, in many instances, released the “better angels of our nature.”  And, I believe, that’s the power of

Restaurants in the County Green Business Certification Program Need Your Support

The mission of the Green Business Certification Program is to empower businesses to green their operations through the provision of tools, incentives, inspirational ideas, collaboration, and leadership opportunities and encourage local consumers and other businesses to consider Certified Green Businesses when making purchasing decisions. As such, we will be sharing important information to you about programs available

New County Telework Assistance Fund and Teleworking Webinars Now Available

The mission of the Green Business Certification Program is to empower businesses to green their operations through the provision of tools, incentives, inspirational ideas, collaboration, and leadership opportunities and encourage local consumers and other businesses to consider Certified Green Businesses when making purchasing decisions. As such, we will be sharing important information to you about
Neighborhood Sun ribbon cutting ceremony

Clean Energy is Here to Stay

More and more people realize the environmental benefits of renewable energy, which produces no fossil fuel emissions. In the past, switching to clean energy sources meant putting solar panels on your roof. But what if you have a shady roof, or you own or rent an apartment? What are your options? Two local Montgomery County
Global Communities Ghana Office

Global Communities Rolls Out Green Business Strategies to Offices Overseas

Global Communities works in 27 countries around the world, but our roots are deep in Montgomery County. As a global development and humanitarian assistance organization committed to working in partnership with communities worldwide to bring about sustainable change, we have seen first-hand the direct effects of our changing climate on the lives and livelihoods of

#GiftGreener: 15 Simple, Creative Ways to Give

Now in its third year, the Gift Outside the Box Campaign is a program where Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and our partners challenge you to reduce waste by thinking differently about how you shop for and give gifts. Together, we can reduce waste, save energy and build a strong local economy. With the holiday

Greening Your Beauty Routine

You reduce and recycle like a fiend. You have a compost bin in your kitchen, and you carry a metal straw in your purse. You obviously take carbon footprint reduction seriously – but does your hair salon? Most of the hair color, color tubes, foils, papers, plastics containers, glass, and cans your stylist uses ends

Call for Proposals now open for the 2020 Montgomery County Energy Summit

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Committee of USGBC National Capital Region invite proposals for educational presentations at the 2020 Montgomery County Energy Summit. The theme for this year’s Summit is “A Path to Zero.” We will explore strategies, technologies, and case studies focused on the commercial, multifamily, and residential

Greener Acres: Non-Profits Sustaining Sustainability – Rock Creek Conservancy

This regular feature introduces Montgomery County non-profit organizations that are making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of industry sectors. This segment details the efforts of the Bethesda-based Rock Creek Conservancy. Beginning near Laytonsville, Rock Creek winds its way for 33 miles through Montgomery County and the metropolitan D.C. area

Bar-T: Holistic Sustainability Programs for Kids

It’s not often that conservation, environmental impact studies and carbon footprint reduction planning involves children who haven’t yet reached double-digits, but the year-round programs designed by Bar-T Mountainside Education and Enrichment are notable exceptions. According to the environmental education non-profit organization’s founder, Joseph F. Richardson, Jr., the reach to children began with a summer program

Ribbon-cutting for Fitzgerald Auto Mall’s Solar Array in Gaithersburg

Fitzgerald Auto Mall, a car dealership originally founded in North Bethesda, MD , is extensively devoted to sustainable practice and proves so through their recycling commitments and their use of green power. In addition to their promise to recycle 80% of the solid waste generated at each of their facilities, Fitzgerald Auto Mall was recently recognized

Celebrating Sustainable Corporate Leadership in Montgomery County

Montgomery County is a hub of development in the DC region, with new construction and renovations constantly underway. Development proves to be a great opportunity to increase buildings’ energy efficiency, and thankfully, many developers and real estate managers take this initiative.  For The Tower Companies, a Montgomery-County-based commercial real estate developer, owner, and manager, sustainability

Greener Acres: Non-Profits Sustaining Sustainability

This regular feature introduces Montgomery County non-profit organizations that are making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of industry sectors. Our first subject is the Silver Spring-based Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Created in 1998, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a non-profit, community-based, non-government organization (NGO) that promotes and certifies

Focus on the Here and Now: 2019 Energy Summit soars to new heights and record attendance

The sixth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit—the largest in the event’s history—was held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The event attracted approximately 315 attendees composed of building owners, property managers, energy contractors working in the County, young professionals in the energy field and those interested in sustainable commercial buildings.

Sustainability in Practice at Glenstone

As any visitor will attest, Glenstone is a veritable paradise with grand vistas, serene walking paths, and stunning art. This magnificent place is the result of the conviction of its founders, Mitchell and Emily Wei Rales, who deeply believe in the restorative value of, and the connection between, art and nature.  That belief manifests in