GenGreen, LLC and Co-op America are partnering together to bring more awareness to pre-screened environmentally and socially conscious businesses through their online networks
FORT COLLINS, CO., September 23, 2008: GenGreen, LLC, based in Colorado, and Co-op America, based in Washington, DC, today announced the beginning of their partnership that will change the way consumers shop online for eco products and services. Users within GenGreenLife.com now have the ability to see which companies have been approved by Co-op America, which screens all members of their Green Business Network for social and environmental responsibility.
“We are excited to be working with Co-op America and we think this agreement represents a great opportunity to benefit our users and grow the number of businesses getting screened,” said Charisse McAuliffe, founder and CEO of GenGreen. “Cooperation and collaboration is so important, and it is just what we need to keep the momentum behind the environmental movement growing and strong,” said McAuliffe.
It is important to GenGreen that their businesses listed within their directory are truly green. This is now accomplished with the help of Co-op America’s screening process. In order for businesses to get the seal of approval, they must demonstrate that they:
- Focus on using business as a tool for positive social change.
- Are "values-driven,” as well as profit-driven.
- Are socially and environmentally responsible in the way they source, manufacture, and market their products and run their offices and factories.
- Are committed to and employ extraordinary and innovative practices that benefit: 1) workers, 2) communities, 3) customers, and 4) the environment.
“We’re excited by this opportunity to work with GenGreen since it provides us the ability to educate consumers about businesses that are the best of best regarding their treatment of people and the planet,” said Denise Hamler, Director of Co-op America’s Green Business Network. “We’re also excited to offer our screening process to GenGreen businesses that are not yet screened, and for those businesses that pass our rigorous screens, to offer them the opportunity to receive a prime listing on GenGreen.”
Transparency is a key component to the environmental industry, and GenGreen suggests all of their businesses listed within their site be as transparent as possible. “Consumers do their research, ask questions, and make sure they are shopping from a socially and environmentally responsible company. If they can’t find how the company is who they say they are, they will buy from someone else,” Charisse McAuliffe, founder and CEO of GenGreen.
This collaboration was designed in hopes of reducing green washing, which is a term used to describe the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service. Now, users can see for themselves which companies have been proven to be socially and environmentally responsible.
The goal of GenGreen is to be the most comprehensive and diverse resource available for people looking to live a locally-focused, environmentally conscious lifestyle. This is accomplished through their network GenGreenLife.com where they have over 25,000 listings to help consumers live their green life easier.
To find environmentally and socially responsible companies, visit www.gengreenlife.com.
Co-op America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Its mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Co-op America is the producer of National Green Pages and Green Festivals (with Global Exchange.)
The Co-op America Green Business Network is the original and most diverse association of over 5,000 responsible companies. Co-op America is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1982. www.coopamerica.org
Source: GenGreen, LLC
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