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GreeNWAy Certification

The greeNWAy Initiative is a program and certification process that will identify, certify and encourage businesses to do business the “green way”.  The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fayetteville, the UA Sam Walton School of Business, University of Arkansas Applied Sustainability Center and the University of Arkansas Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) have been working in conjunction with community leaders, as well as, non-governmental entities on the greeNWAy program. The program’s purpose is to assist Chamber member organizations to implement best practices for green and sustainable business.

The objectives of this elective greeNWAy Initiative program are to provide affordable sustainability expertise to small businesses and non-profits, develop guidelines and benchmark tools for the greeNWAy Initiative, establish a NWA greeNWAy Institute, and support local businesses so that they may flourish in a green economy.  

There are a few simple steps that a business interested in becoming a greeNWAy business must obtain in order to become certified.  These steps include: the business must be a Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce member in good standing, the business then goes through an assessment in conjunction with the University of Arkansas-SIFE, and the chamber member receives a score based on the number of points their company attained.  Once the business has been rated and has paid the nominal fee to become certified the company will receive a certificate, signs to identify that they are a greeNWAy business and a “green” ribbon cutting will take place. greeNWAy businesses will be listed as a separate category in the chamber membership listing, as well as, on a special designated page on the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Web site.  Certification is good for two years.  One hour of continuing education in the greeNWAy Institute per quarter is also required to stay certified.  We also request water, gas and electricity bills from the previous 12 months to be tracked in a carbon-footprint measurement tool that will show savings and reductions in each. Businesses are evaluated in the following categories: Water, Education, Energy, Purchasing, Waste, and People.  

In a community which celebrates and promotes best practices for green sustainable actions in business and everyday life, this Chamber program will assist our member businesses to stand out in that environment and get public recognition for their commitment and actions to promote a green practices.

If you are a interested in learning more about doing business the green way and the greeNWAy Initative, please contact Katherine Brandt-Narcisso at 479.521.1710 or e-mail kbrandt@fayettevillear.com