Giving a gift is an investment in a relationship, buying that gift locally is an investment in community, and making sure it’s a green gift is an investment in the future.
“Supporting local, green businesses offers tremendous ROI [return on investment],” says Sarah Brown, director of Green Alliance in Portsmouth. According to a Civic Economics study, she says independent retailers return 52 percent of revenue to the local economy compared to 14 percent for Big Box retailers. And according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, local stores help sustain a vibrant, walkable town center—as opposed to the big retailers that often reside on the edge of town—and are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
“Beyond economic and environmental benefits, shopping local cultivates community connections,” says Brown. “There’s really nothing like a shopkeeper greeting you by name, asking about your family, being more than just a fleeting face at the cash register.”
Founded in 2009, Green Alliance connects its green-minded members and community followers with more than 100 local businesses—from retail to real estate—that are doing their part to lessen their environmental impact. Each Green Alliance-approved business undergoes a sustainability certification and receives a green rating along with a report card detailing its degree of greenness, from Sprout, to Bud, to Blossom.
For example, North Hampton’s Simply Green, a biofuels company, has a rating of 9.08 out of 10 with a report card indicating its achieved Blossom status, the highest category of the Green Alliance's sustainability. “Being green is what we’re all about,” says Guy Marshall, general manager. “It’s fantastic to be recognized for all our eco-friendly initiatives. It’s also important for us to be seen as a local, homegrown resource—we’re fiercely independent and all of our business decisions reflect a strong desire to serve our community, as well as Mother Nature.” Gift givers can give loved ones the unique and utilitarian gift of a full tank of Bioheat to keep them warm all winter long.
Zev Yoga, another Green Alliance business, promotes a holistic approach to health. In the past eight years, the Portsmouth-based studio has spread to Exeter and Dover. "For me, being a local business owner is about offering an amenity for our community that holds the clients best interest at heart," says Jonas Zev, owner. "It's about offering a product that supports the long term sustainability of the community while addressing the needs of the individual." A 10-class punch card, good for classes at any Zev Yoga studio or a three-month membership, can be gifts that provide both physical and mental health benefits to the recipient.
Sarah Hudson, OD, of Portsmouth's Harbor Eyecare Center, shares similar sentiments. "For over 16 years HEC has been a proud part of this community, and we love interacting with patients, neighbors, friends, Lion's Club members, GA members and business peers every day. It’s a special pride and always brings a warm smile when at a restaurant or in the grocery store a patient, out with their family or a friend, recognizes me and comments: 'That's my eye doctor, how are you Dr. Sarah? I'm coming in next week to see you!' We all prosper and grow together or we lose the local connection. “HEC offers gift cards and has a large selection of stylish sunglasses which can make a fabulous gift for the skier in the family.
As an extra incentive to support local, green businesses, Green Alliance provides its individual members with exclusive discounts at each of the businesses it certifies, such as a one-month free trial membership at Zev Yoga (in Portsmouth, Exeter, or Dover) or 10 percent off food at Redhook Brewery, Portsmouth Brewery, 900 Degrees Pizzeria,Two Ceres Street or Poco’s Bow Street Cantina, and great discounts at over 100 other local green-leaning businesses. “It can cost a bit more to buy local, and green, but our money-saving perks and privileges reward our members by allowing them to save when they spend their money in an environmentally responsible way,” says Brown.
“Tradition is very important around the holidays,” says Brown. “This year we’re encouraging a new tradition of choosing local and green as much as possible for your holiday shopping.” To simplify conscientious and sustainable shopping, Green Alliance is offering two membership deals: a one-year Green Alliance personal membership at $10 off the regular price and a special gift membership. Those who purchase a membership now can use their Green Alliance Member Card to get discounts while doing their holiday shopping at nearly 115 participating local businesses. The Gift membership comes with a $50 gift certificate towards Green Maids.
“A membership in Green Alliance is a one-size-fits-all gift, with truly something for everyone, whether the recipient is into food, fashion, or family, or even a whole-house remodel,” says Brown. “But, we acknowledge that a GA membership is just one way to do your holiday shopping more consciously; really we just want people to think more about what their buying and who they are spending their dollars with.”
“I’ve been a GA member for a couple of years, and appreciate that the research has been done for me, and I don’t have to worry about green-washing,” says Dover resident Katherine Thatcher. “I have access to a long list of businesses that are local to me, and that are fully transparent in terms of what they are doing to be green. Plus the best part is that my membership card rewards me for shopping consciously – every time I get that member discount I get the double benefit of saving money and supporting a green-minded company.”
Green Alliance is a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members.
For more information, visit www.greenalliance.biz.
Current Issue - April 2024