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southwestmichigansustainablebusinessforum.org

The mission of the Southwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is to promote business practices which demonstrate environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social responsibility.

UPCOMING SWMSBF EVENTS

SWMSBF 2020 Membership Drive

The SWMSBF invites past members and potential new members to renew/sign-up for the upcoming year. As a Member of the SWMSBF, you are investing in the sustainability of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas.

SWMSBF hosted a great set of programs and Green Drinks events throughout 2019 and has plenty of exciting programs and presentations planned for 2020. Your Membership provides you with access to these programs as well as the benefit of networking with other organizations/individuals who share the same vision of a sustainable community.

For more information and to register, please visit the MEMBERSHIP page.

SWMSBF Members in the News

EGLE teams with Kalamazoo in push to set city’s all-time record

for household curbside recycling by 2025

Effort part of regional kickoff for Know It Before You Throw It education campaign

On September 16, 2019, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Kalamazoo-area leaders in government, business and environmental advocacy joined in challenging city residents to set a new recycling record. The City of Kalamazoo’s partnership with EGLE aims to collect a record-breaking 2,500 tons of household recyclables annually by 2025 through the "Know It Before You Throw It" education campaign.

More information is available in the official news release by clicking here.

On June 3, 2019, Kellogg's Chairman and CEO Steve Cahillane announced the company's next-generation Kellogg's® Better Days global commitment to help end hunger and create Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030.

The company will do so by:

♦Nourishing 1 billion people with its foods, delivering nutrients of need and addressing hidden hunger;
♦Feeding 375 million people in need through food donations and expanded child feeding programs;
♦Nurturing the planet as it supports 1 million farmers, especially women smallholders and workers;
♦Conserving natural resources all along the value chain, from responsibly sourcing ingredients and reducing food waste, to providing recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging;
♦Encouraging employee volunteerism, ensuring an ethical supply chain and supporting diversity and inclusion;
♦And living its founder's values by advocating on behalf of hungry children everywhere and engaging 1.5 billion people to help address the important issue of food security.

More information on Kellogg’s® Better Days is available in the official news release. You can also view a recording of Steve’s speech at Sustainable Brands at @Kelloggs Facebook page and follow the conversation at #BetterDays.

SWMSBF member business Hollander Development brought home a first place award in the multifamily category at the 2018 Michigan Battle of the Buildings.

Metea Court Apartments, located in Buchanan, Michigan, cut its annual energy use by 14%. Hollander Development’s team cut energy waste at Metea Court through a comprehensive rehab of the entire 45-year old, 100-unit apartment community for low-income seniors. Energy conservation measures included new appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, mechanical systems, windows, and insulation.

In addition to reducing energy consumption, HDC added a 135kW roof mount photovoltaic solar array to the project - the largest residential solar array in the State of Michigan.

Michigan Battle of the Buildings is made possible by strong community partners like the West Michigan Chapter of the U.S. Green Building council, the Michigan Energy Office, Consumers Energy, and DTE Energy.