Local business and government leaders gathered on Friday, March 8th, for the Sustainable Newtown Square—Green Business Coalition Leaders Mini-Conference. The event was held at Boiron USA, the world’s leader in homeopathic medicines whose headquarters is located on Campus Boulevard in Newtown Square.
Hosted by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and endorsed by the Newtown Square Business Association (NSBA), the mini-conference served to recognize the sustainability efforts of local businesses, to educate attendees on how our community can get involved and to network with other businesses and government leaders.
Sheila O’Sullivan-Feeney led the initiative as the Chair of the EAC. The morning began with some words from Newtown Square Chairman of Supervisors, Leonard Altieri and Newtown Township Manager, Stephen Nease. Leonard thanked all the members of the EAC and the township for working together towards the common goal of bringing businesses and government together for a better future. Stephen praised our public works department for their role in sustainability by reusing materials and repurposing equipment that otherwise would have been discarded.
Featured speakers were Fabrice Figliolini, Vice President of Operations, Finance, Information Technology, and Human Resources at Borion, USA; Delaware County Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke; and Jan Nash, Senior Director of Research at the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), which is also headquartered in Newtown Square.
Fabrice described how the company’s Newtown Square location is embracing sustainability today and shared tips for other businesses. Borion has put numerous sustainability practices in place in recent years. They have installed smart lighting and HVAC systems throughout the building, partnered with a composting company, eliminated single-use plastic and paper products, installed an eco-friendly walking path for their employees and the
public and planted trees throughout our community.
Francine, who oversees the operating departments of Planning, Public Works, Facilities, Fleet, Parks & Recreation and Conservation, explained how she and her team have developed new and innovative strategies and plans for managing and reducing Delaware County’s carbon footprint through waste, energy, water and transportation initiatives. She gave accolades to the leadership in our county for seeing the value of sustainability and
allocating funds that allow us to continue to be an example for other Pennsylvania counties.
The final speaker of the morning was Jan Nash from NMI, a full-service human insights and consulting firm specializing in Health and Sustainability. Jan remarked on how NMI focuses on helping companies create more sustainable futures for themselves, their customers and society. They conduct extensive research to understand how today’s green consumers think about environmental and planetary health, including packaging and resource depletion. Jan emphasized that businesses that implement sustainability practices have a positive impact on their customers and the environment.
The Sustainable Newtown Square – Green Business Coalition is a free program sponsored by Newtown Township for businesses that pledge to environmentally sustainable practices and give back to the community. Sheila O’Sullivan-Feeney said, “This is a 100% voluntary and non-binding program that helps to educate businesses on environmentally sustainable practices and reward and recognize those businesses who have taken steps to be good stewards of their community and environment.” In addition, their goals include encouraging residents to buy locally and consume responsibly.
Sheila explained that once businesses make the “pledge” they will receive a free decal for their business, digital signage for their website and social channels and inclusion in township communi- cations. “Many businesses are already demonstrating sustainability, and this can be an opportunity to share best practices across the community,” Sheila added. “Additionally, each year, one business that has championed sustainability and has gone above and beyond its commitments will be eligible for an award.”
Some ways we can all participate are by:
• Reducing or eliminating single-use plastic (including takeout containers, plastic bags, straws, etc.)
• Volunteering each year in township-sponsored park or stream cleanups and tree plantings
• Making every effort to recycle all eligible materials (i.e. boxes, paper, glass and plastic)
• Evaluating and implementing ways to reduce electric usage and move to renewable electric sources (Electric fleet, LED and/or motion-sensing lighting, Solar)
• Landscaping your home or business using native plants and trees • Communicating your sustainable efforts and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same
• Evaluating and implementing water conservation efforts and managing stormwater runoff best practices
There are many ways residents and businesses can impact the community, and through short-term and long-term planning, we can make Newtown Square a healthier, more beautiful, and more sustainable place to live, work, and play.
If you own or represent a business that operates within Newtown Township, you can sign up by visiting Newtowntownship.org and making the pledge. The form can be found by clicking on the Government tab, then the Boards and Commissions. If you are interested in getting involved with the EAC, you are welcome to attend their monthly meetings that are held at 5pm on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings take place at Newtown Township’s Municipal Building, 209 Bishop Hollow Rd, Newtown Square.