Creating a Green Workplace at Adelante Mujeres

Happy Earth Day! In honor of this day that demonstrates protection for this amazing planet with live on, we want to talk about how we are working to make our workplace a green one. Caring for the planet is at the core of who we are as an organization, and we want to inspire other workplaces (and homes!) to join us! Here are a few of the ways we are making our workplace Earth-friendly.

1. Our Forest Grove Farmers Market is low-waste.

We implemented a waste center and a durable dinningware initiative to decrease waste at our weekly farmers market. We provide durable plates, metal utensils and cloth napkins. We also recover food scraps for composting and redirect unsold produce and perishable food items.

2. We have a staff “Sustainability Challenge”.

At our monthly staff meetings, we have a staff member share something they did that month to help the planet. From taking their own coffee mug into the coffee shop, to bringing jars to fill at the bulk section at the grocery store, to biking to work, lots of ideas are shared with the goal of inspiring others to take action.

3. Our Sustainable Agriculture Program teaches Earth-friendly farming techniques.

Our Sustainable Agriculture classes, taught in Spanish, not only are equipping Latinos with the knowledge and skills they need to start their own farm businesses, but it’s also teaching them how to do it in a sustainable way. We teach how to grow food without using chemicals while protecting the soil and surrounding habitats.

4. We use reusable plates and utensils at all of our staff meetings and events.

While it might be easier to use paper plates at events and meetings, we put in the effort to prevent that excess waste. We always bring reusable plates, cups and coffee mugs, cloth napkins, and metal utensils to every meeting, event, training, or conference that we attend. That’s a lot of potential waste that will stay out of a landfill!

5. We have compost and recycling bins in our offices.

We make sure all lunch scraps are added to a communal compost bin instead of going in the garbage. We also have recycling bins in every office in the building to make sure paper is always recycled when it can no longer be reused.

We are so proud to be one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon 2018!

Every action makes a difference. Does your workplace have green initiatives? Share them in the comments below!