Norman Chamber of Commerce recently announced the formation of the Greenovation Committee

Becoming a green machine

Following an inescapable trend in U.S. business today, the Norman Chamber of Commerce recently announced the formation of the Greenovation Committee, a group charged with making the city "the most progressive environmental innovator in the region," Chamber President Mike Bergey said.

"The Greenovation Committee will promote environmental and smart growth initiatives with Norman businesses, the City of Norman, and the public," Bergey said. "We hope to lower environmental footprints, save money, create 'green collar' jobs and make Norman the most progressive environmental innovator in the region."

The group will be led by co-chairs Trey Bates and Carol Price Dillingham, a member of the Norman City Council.

"I asked Trey Bates to co-chair because he is an officer of the chamber, and therefore very familiar with our existing programs and people," Bergey said. "He is a green developer, and he shares my concern that Norman is not progressive enough in this area."

Bergey said Dillingham, an attorney, was picked to aid in dealings with the city and a lot of the red tape that comes along with working with municipalities.

"Councilwoman Dillingham provides the Greenovation Committee with a direct two-way link to city leadership and a deep understanding of some of the divisive issues that have diverted our attention, as other communities moved past us on environmental leadership," Bergey said.

Bergey said forming the Greenovation Committee was a natural step for him to take as head of the chamber. He is president of Bergey Windpower, a company that sells wind turbines used to produce renewable electricity.

"After 30 years in the sustainable energy business, I know that environmental stewardship and economic development need not be in conflict if you are smart about how growth is pursued," Bergey said.?"Businesses can save operating costs by investing in efficiency -- energy, water, materials use -- while lowering their environmental footprint."

Native Roots Market, a grocery store that sells locally produced goods like buffalo meat, pork and the usual fare, is already doing what Bergey envisions for the future.

Owned by Norman residents Matt Runkle and Sara Kaplan, the business has been open since last year in the heart of downtown Norman.

"We weigh our trash to monitor how much we produce and we donate a lot of the produce we can't sell to various businesses that still have use for it," Kaplan said.

Any edibles not fit for consumption by humans or other animals are taken to nearby compost heaps, many of those belonging to friends or community gardens.

"We try not to waste anything," Kaplan said. "One of our long-term goals is to produce zero landfill waste."

Native Roots also encourages customers to use reusable bags for groceries and donates 11 cents to charity each time someone brings their own bag into the store.

But selling top-quality, locally produced meat and produce aren't the tasks the store undertakes on a day-to-day basis.

"Not a lot of people understand what we're doing here, so education is an important part of our business," Kaplan said. "Somebody has to lead the way, because in 10, 20, 30 years, people won't have a choice."

And while both Kaplan and Runkle agree the Greenovation Committee is a step in the right direction, they are leery of the growing, almost faddish popularity of a culture they've studied for several years.

"It can't really be a fad," Runkle said. "Because if you buy into it, your life changes. It's not something that can be changed once you start living this way, it affects every choice you make."

As for the possibility of receiving some help from government, whether local, state or federal, Kaplan and Runkle said that would be great -- but not just for business owners.

"Tax credits for energy efficiency would be a great start," Kaplan said. "But they should be across the board to homeowners as well."

Runkle suggested putting a limit on the size of stores to control quality.

In the meantime, Bergey said the chamber is doing the right thing by its 1,300 members and the future of business in the City.

"Consumers are gravitating toward products and services that are better for the environment and they are voting with their wallet," Bergey said.? "Businesses are being judged not just on the environmental-friendliness of their products, but also on the environmental impacts of their facilities and processes."

Bergey said the response to the new committee has been "overwhelming" and he sees a bright, "green" future for the city's business community.

"It looks like there's a lot of pent up green-ness in Norman," Bergey said. "I think we have the opportunity to make some real progress and put Norman on the map as a smart city."

Andrew Knittle 366-3527 Aknittle@normantranscript.com