What is the EarthWISE Program?
EarthWISE stands for Workplace Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise and is a FREE environmental assistance program offered to businesses in Marion County.
EarthWISE program staff are available for anything from a quick phone call to answer an environmental question to a full-service environmental assessment site visit - whatever you need to get your business recycling, reducing waste, and/or saving energy and water.
All services are customized to meet your business's specific needs. Your business can receive resources and assistance in any or all of the EarthWISE focus areas . You set the pace and priorities.
The EarthWISE program can provide your business with FREE deskside recycling boxes, recycling stickers, posters, environmentally preferable purchasing information, and much, much more!
What is EarthWISE certification?
EarthWISE Certification recognizes businesses in Marion County that have made a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Businesses that immediately or over time meet pre-established criteria in the EarthWISE focus areas will earn the EarthWISE Certification. These businesses will receive public recognition for their green practices.
Profiles of EarthWISE certified businesses
How does my business become EarthWISE Certified?
It’s just a few easy steps:
Email (RVanWoert@co.marion.or.us ).
To best understand what your business is doing well and what might be improved, we'll mail you a copy of the EarthWISE assessment. Return the form to us upon completion.
We'll contact you and set up a time for a walk-through visit of your site.
After the visit, we'll provide you with suggestions and/or materials that might help you become more sustainable and/or save money. We'll also send you an EarthWISE certification application.
Fill out the EW application and return to us.
We'll return for a brief EW certification walk-through.
To obtain EarthWISE certification, businesses must meet the criteria outlined in the EarthWISE certification application. Some businesses meet criteria right away. Most businesses however, find that they need to make changes in their business practices to qualify for certification. EarthWISE staff are available to assist your business with identifying and implementing these changes. Again, you set the pace and priorities.
Why should my business become EarthWISE Certified?
Becoming EarthWISE certified is a great way to showcase your business' environmental commitment to your customers and the community. Many EarthWISE businesses also recognize savings from reducing their garbage costs and lowering electric and water bills.
Should your business become EarthWISE certified, you will receive an engraved plaque, an EarthWISE window sticker, a website decal to display on your homepage, permission to post the EarthWISE Certified logo on promotional materials, recognition in articles and advertisements in the major newspapers in Marion County, inclusion in the EarthWISE Program Member Directory, Statesman Journal newspaper, and potential recognition in other forms of media, such as radio and television spots.
How do I get started?
Is your business ready to get started? To set up an environmental assessment of your facility please contact us at
earthwise@co.marion.or.us and an EarthWISE representative will contact you shortly and explain next steps. Questions? Contact the EarthWISE program at the link above.
