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Congratulations to Our Winners!
The Texas Conference for Women is pleased to announce the winners of a contest for Texas-based, women-owned businesses that are helping to improve the environment. Applicants were asked to submit a case study detailing how the adoption of policies and practices are lowering their company's environmental impact while improving the financial performance of the business. Submissions were rated on creativity/innovation, impact to the environment, financial impact to the company, employee engagement and customer benefits.
First Prize: Clothesline Cleaners
Clothesline Cleaners began in 2005 as San Antonio's natural alternative to dry cleaning. Owner Debra Mills is an "enviropreneur", focused and determined to revolutionize an industry that commonly uses perchloroethylene, classified as a "probable carcinogen" by the EPA. Clothesline Cleaners uses a variety of advanced technologies that eliminate the need for toxic solvents. In addition, its delivery van runs on biodiesel fuel, its stores use T-8 fluorescent bulbs and dual flush toilets, and they re-use recycled hangers and EnviroBags so customers can drop off and pick up clothes in the same bag, eliminating poly bags. The company's rapid growth to seven stores with over 30 employees demonstrates community awareness, support, and enthusiasm for this environmentally responsible business, which, as Debra says, is "cleaning up an industry."
Second Prize: Abernethy Media Professionals
With grip trucks full of equipment chugging all over town, electricity-sucking lighting, sets used only for days, boxed lunches, water bottles, miles of tape and constantly-humming edit suites, the video production industry is "not exactly eco-friendly," says Abernethy Media Professionals owner Amy Lou Abernethy. She saw an opportunity to start implementing green practices, including simple changes-using dishes instead of paper products, task lighting instead of overhead lights-as well as more complicated changes, such as building a dedicated room for temperature sensitive media equipment to reduce demand on the entire HVAC system. The move to reusable digital cards from single-use tapes also cut labor, resources and costs. These are just a few of the choices the company makes with the environment in mind, says Abernethy. "While we continue to decrease our ecological footprint, both as a means of saving our customers money and retaining their trust, we pride ourselves on the ability to make moral and economic decisions that impact the environment and our bottom line."
Third Prize: Xtreme Xhibits by Skyline
Committed to transforming the events industry to one that is more sustainable, Xtreme Xhibits by Skyline (X2) launched a new range of "green" exhibiting product such as ecologically friendly exhibiting materials made of 100% recycled soda bottles. Additional green offerings allow their clients to replace inefficient halogen lighting systems with LED lighting as well as choose from alternative carpets, cabinetry, adhesives and finishes. X2 also has an office recycling initiative, collecting paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum and glass, and was recognized by the City of Austin as a "WasteSmart" company. X2 is committed to illustrating the benefits of sustainability to its client base, resulting in it becoming the first Austin member of the Green Meetings Industry Council. "With expectations that our innovative change and direction will lead to a revolution within the events industry," says X2 owner Jill Amerie, "we can show businesses how to make their mark without leaving one!"
Special thanks to our contest review panelists
Susan Ghertner: H-E-B Environmental Affairs Manager; President, Keep Texas Beautiful
Heather Leopard: Hewlett Packard: PSG Americas SMB Marketing Manager
Andrew Keffer: Office of the Governor; Policy Analyst for the Budget, Planning & Policy Department
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