Three San Anselmo businesses win county green award

Last Tuesday, at the County Board of Supervisors meeting, three San Anselmo businesses were among nearly two dozen to receive their green business certification.

Stella's Fine Consignments, Simmonds and Associates landscape architects, and Haney Orthodontics all took home the green.

"We want to be as environmentally-conscious and respectful as possible of the environment," said Eric Haney of Haney Orthodontics.

The county's green business program recognizes businesses that meet certain standards of environmentalism within the workplace. These include conserving energy and water, cutting down on the use of resources like paper, and continuously meeting environmental regulations.

At the orthodontist's office this means using digital x-rays to cut down on chemicals, electric records and impressions, recycling, conserving water and meeting heating efficiency standards. Both PG&E and MMWD inspected the office, said Haney, and they worked with the Sustainability Team of the Marin County Community Development Agency.

Haney Orthodontics was the first orthodontist in the county to be certified.

But, while an environmentally-friendly orthodontist is the first of its kind, some businesses -- like landscape architecture -- have a more clear-cut environmental niche.

Because Warren Simmonds helps people design their landscapes and gardens (one of the biggest uses of water), he can have a large impact on the water conservation and chemicals used in these people's homes.

"We can have a pretty good impact in a green way on construction sites," he said.

The focus is on managing the irrigation systems and water, so that groundwater and rainwater are retained and plants appropriate for the climate are utilized. Resources like lumber, sheetrock, and cardboard can be reused for mulch, mixed into the soil and placed underneath the soil.

"We've been practicing green in our landscape work for 20 years," said Simmonds.

The importance of being environmentally-conscious isn't just for the certificates and awards, but, said Haney, it also can be more efficient and cost-effective.

Haney has the added bonus of working with many school-age children, who learn about the environment at school, and "they're totally into it."

"It's great to demonstrate to them how it's being used," he said.