On Thursday, April 20, in preparation for Earth Day, The Darien Chamber of Commerce will award the winners of the 10th Annual “Going for Green” event.
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— an announcement from the Darien Chamber of Commerce
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The awards promotes an ongoing community initiative to act more environmentally friendly, according to this pledge:
I pledge to the community to make ‘Going for Green’ part of my way of doing business and making lifestyle choices in Darien. As I make decisions for my business, or my life, I will consider green options to help make Darien and the Earth, a safe and hospitable home for present and future generations.
This year “Going For Green,” sponsored by Darien Bank & Trust, has an awards reception from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursday, hosted by the Darien Nature Center at 120 Brookside Road.
Culinary delights will be artfully provide by SoNo Baking Company. Refreshments are compliments of Darien Bank & Trust.
Student Poster Contest
Image from the Darien Chamber of Commerce
2017 winning “Going for Green” student poster
An annual poster contest with the Darien High School Graphics Design Class, taught by Dorine Bosler, has again generated creative posters to communicate “Going Green.”
The students were given an assignment to create a poster to be used in the Darien Community promoting green choices and the pledge.
This year, First Place went to Johnathan Stimpson and Second Place went to Lauren Jennings. Their posters can be seen in windows of retailers around town promoting “green choices” to the Darien community. All 31 of the posters from the DHS class are part of the “All Things Green Festival” at the Darien Library
Awards to Chamber Members
The Darien Chamber is awarding three DCC members for their steps to be “environmentally friendly” that are good for the Darien community.
2017 Green Business Award of Darien: The Gardener’s Center & Florist
The Gardener’s Center and Florist is now a certified NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) accredited business selling a wide array of certified organic plant care products and services.
The Gardener’s Center is committed to removing all neonicotinoid and glyphosate products from their inventory. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticide that have been proven harmful to pollinators. This includes many ready to use insecticide sprays from companies such as Bayer® and Ortho®.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in non-selective weed killers such as RoundUp® that has been proven harmful to humans.
In addition, this strategy will work toward the goal of removing all chemical soil amendments and chemical plant care products entirely! We pride ourselves in being a knowledgable resource to help you grow a healthy garden and keep all those who enter it safe.
The Gardener’s Center & Florist has also changed every last lighting source in our store over to LED energy efficient fixtures. They are thrilled to have taken these steps toward creating a more sustainable business and changing our landscape for the better.
2017 Repurposing Business Award of Darien: SoNo Baking Company
Sono Baking Company uses a majority of recycled “kraft” paper goods and delivery boxes and take- out boxes which reduce the waste water to our oceans reducing unnecessary bleaching which eventually ends up in the sea. SoNo is very conscious of using our flour sacks as a delivery bag to cut down on waste and it also advertises our high quality flour we use.
They are purchasing a diesel truck which is much more fuel efficient then common gasoline and the waste grease is made into soap and distributed to third world countries according to SoNo’s supplier.
In addition, SoNo Baking works to use biodegradable soaps and despite all regulations, uses minimal amounts of chemicals in our production facilities which drastically cuts down on harsh chemicals going back out into the environment.
2017 Green Non-Profit Award of Darien: the Boy Scouts of Darien
The Boy Scouts Tag Sale is Darien’s largest effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle; annually collecting, sorting, selling, and recycling over 48,000 pounds of the community’s “clutter” for reuse by the Tag Sales 2,000+ customers and over 30 charities! This annual event is an amazing achievement for our town. The many volunteers, contributors and purchasers need to be thanked for all they do to support this Boy Scouts of Darien effort.
Photo by Shinhae Won
From left, with examples of tag sale merchandise: Cate Parekh, Frank McGarey, Adele Mahabir, Maria Sullivan, Jay Shutts, Leslie Pennington, Susan Doelp, & Stephanie Paul
Any member of the community is welcome at the “Going For Green” Awards reception. To register in advance ($15) please go to the Darien Chamber of Commerce website and click on the events calendar. Tickets at the door are $20.
The Mission of the Darien Chamber of Commerce is to work to improve the quality of life for the businesses and residents of Darien. The DCC is generously sponsored by Elite Sponsor-Darien Rowayton Bank throughout the year.