Eco-Andersonville: Green Genes
Green Genes
5111 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
Owners: Heather Muenstermann & Tina Isperduli
What motivated you to get involved in Eco-Andersonville and seek green certification as a pilot for the program?
When we first heard of the eco-initiative, it seemed so in sync with our mission for Green Genes that we knew we wanted to pursue certification. We felt that it would give us an opportunity to take stock of the green steps we had already implemented, as well as make note of eco-friendly steps we could take moving forward.
During the application process for certification, Andersonville business owners are asked to set forth one main sustainability goal. What was yours and what steps have you taken to achieve it?
Our goal is to change our lighting system to make it more eco-friendly. When we took over the space, we decided to utilize the track lighting system from the previous tenant to avoid the possibility of it being dumped into the garbage, and eventually, a landfill. With the help of suggestions by the Andersonville Development Corporation, we've been researching safer and more sustainable options for the interior system. Within the store, we do have a variety of second-hand decorative lamps, and all of those use CFL bulbs. Additionally, we'd like to install a low-flow or dual-flush toilet, but may have to take that up with our landlord.
Did you encounter any challenges that you think other local business owners might experience in their efforts to go green? If so, how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for us, and really more of a frustration, is the lack of ease in recycling. It's no secret that Chicago, as a city, has had trouble implementing an easy and convenient way to recycle. The majority of the materials we recycle come from all the shipment packaging – cardboard, paper, peanuts, sometimes Styrofoam, air-filled plastic pouches, etc. We do reuse a large portion of the packaging, but still find it necessary to load up the car every few weeks and head to the recycling center. When I drive through the alleys, I am always appalled at the excess of recyclable materials heaped in dumpsters. People tell me on a regular basis that they'd like to recycle more, but it's just "not convenient."
Now that it's official and the sticker is on your window, how do you anticipate your certification impacting your business and marketing?
Currently, many of our customers come to Green Genes because we're a locally-owned small business, and they're very aware of the importance of shopping in establishments like ours. I think the eco-initiative will add another criterion to the choices people make regarding the businesses they patronize. Both the sticker on our window and the literature at our front counter have elicited many inquiries about the program, and we embrace the opportunity to educate folks on this wonderful initiative. Just yesterday, I was telling a customer about the other businesses that have received certification, and she was surprised that a restaurant I mentioned was among the certified businesses. As it turned out, not only did she already love that restaurant, but she said she'd tell more of her friends to dine there because of their green certification.
Having gone through a process like this, what words of wisdom do you have for business owners who are interested in going green?
Start with small steps. It's so easy to get really bogged down and overwhelmed by all of the changes we "should" make. From the beginning, we chose to reuse as much as we were able. This applied to re-using and re-purposing antiques and discarded items from the alley or thrift stores instead of buying brand new fixtures. The items we did build and install were made of salvaged and sustainable materials. Buying local is also extremely important to the sustainability of locally-owned businesses. As a consumer, I do the majority of my shopping and dining in Andersonville. As a business, we are continually trying to increase the number of locally-sourced products we carry. I think the mantra of "reduce, reuse, recycle" is very important, and if people would consider those points when making decisions, it would be impactful.
As a business that is leading by example on the issue of sustainability, what's your vision for Andersonville?
There are already so many pieces of my vision for the neighborhood that have come to fruition, but of course, there's always room for improvement. I know I keep mentioning recycling, but I think a neighborhood drop off center would do wonders to reduce the amount of recyclable items that get thrown out. Additionally, I think it would be helpful to have a community composting program. As we move forward, I'd love to see an eco-initiative certification sticker in more and more windows throughout the neighborhood. I have no doubt that many would be overwhelmed by the prospect of going green, but I hope that those of us who are certified can lead by example.
