Next week, more than 100 people will gather for a luncheon in Marion County recognizing sustainable business practices.
Their expected environmental impact? One garbage bag.
“How can we have lunch for more than 100 people and not produce a lot of waste? It’s definitely going,” said district spokeswoman Erin Burt. “If you’re going to an event that’s about performance, it makes sense for the event itself to last. By coming to the event, you can not only learn from all of our speakers and all of our sponsors, but you can watch us we’re still working.”
The Marion County Sustainable Business Network, part of the county’s environmental services department, will host its second Sustainability Forum on Friday, September 27 at the Keizer Civic Center, 930 Chemawa Rd NE.
Burt said the conference will include its own operational methods that include using digital research, and bringing in reusable materials instead of disposable ones. Guests will also be given reusable containers to take home leftovers after the event, reducing food waste, Burt said.
The business network, formerly known as EARTHWise, launched the event in 2023. This year, Burt said, the conference will include informational sessions on career and networking opportunities. for businesses throughout Marion County. It’s free to join the network and get certified as a sustainable business in Marion County.
“This is a free environmental assistance program that we offer to Marion County businesses. And we have program staff available for questions about environmental issues, implementation, if they need help getting the program started to recycle or reduce waste, or they want to know how they can save energy,” Burt said.
The conference will also provide resources to help businesses access local, state and federal programs and grants available for operational efforts, Burt said.
Networking means conducting an energy audit, which shows areas where businesses can reduce waste and save energy.
“All of these things are good for the environment, but they also save small business owners a lot of money,” Burt said.
Some of the leisure programs at the conference will cover topics such as traveling by public transport, how to use solar energy in the business environment, a conference on new businesses of environmentally friendly products that can be tested before investment , and converting commercial vessels to electric vehicles.
Bryan Gyllen is vice president of operations and business partner with DeSantis Landscapes, a Salem-based business that works to incorporate sustainable practices. DeSantis also operates in the Portland metro area.
Gyllen will be speaking on the topic of marine power at the convention center during the conference. He said the process is already built into DeSantis’ business, which works to keep chemical use as low as possible by using organic fertilizers, and keeps emissions low. and less by converting to electric vehicles and electric appliances.
“We have also started to align with car factories, which is an exciting development in the industry. It’s like a Roomba-type machine that we can use on websites. They’re fully electric…We’re just starting that, but it’s something we’re interested in expanding our use of,” Gyllen said. “Trying to find ways we can be sustainable because organization is really in the DNA of the company.”
Ann Shultz, owner of Le Petit Bistro in Hubbard, will serve lunch at the meeting. Shultz used grants from a sustainable business network to start a reusable materials program at his restaurant that he says has reduced waste and saved his business money.
Le Petit Bistro offers customers the option to take food home with reusable cups and dishes instead of disposable ones.
“The response has been very positive from our customers. People are really excited about it and we’ve had a lot of people come in,” Shultz said.
He said many regular customers bring reusable items to the restaurant. They are changed and cleaned before being used for another customer.
The conference is free to register, but space is limited. Interested businesses can still register online.
Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.
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Joe Siess is a reporter for the Salem Reporter. Joe joined the Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but has a penchant for the odd. Joe has reported for the Redmond Advocate, the Bulletin in Bend, the Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially begins, and grew up in the Kansas City area.
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