Hot topics at October mixer? Sustainable construction + retail!

This month’s Green Drinks Charlotte + Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer was a big one! About 60 old and new friends joined us as Gold Partners DPS Construction and Belk talked about their inspiring sustainability practices.

Our new Bicycle Program Director, Jordan Moore, introduced himself and discussed his role in building Charlotte’s cycling community so more people will ride for transportation. If you love riding a bike or using any other type of sustainable transportation (or want to find out how easy it is!), join us for our very first Biketoberfest next Saturday, October 17! You’ll bike, walk, or ride transit to fun destinations around Center City and South End to earn stamps in your official Biketoberfest passport. The more stamps you collect, the more chances you’ll have to win a TREK bicycle and other fabulous prizes. Tickets are only $15 and that includes a Recover t-shirt, craft beer, and after party concert at Triple C! Kids can join in the fun for free with a registered adult. Click here to buy tickets and join us!

You can help us make Biketoberfest a success by volunteering. We have 5 shifts available, including several that would still allow you to participate in the main event. Click here to volunteer.

Candace Taylor Anderson spoke about Belk’s sustainability efforts.

Belk’s corporate social responsibility encompasses three priority areas: Conservation, Community, and Healthy Living. Energy efficient equipment has been installed in many stores, including LED lighting for jewelry and cosmetics displays, thousands of LEDs installed across Belk’s stores and offices, and they are testing renewable energy equipment.

Belk is retro commissioning 30 stores this year for efficiency, and 10 stores will be Energy Star certified this year. They align with industry best practices for waste diversion and have included cardboard balers in many store, have increased tonnage per haul, and integrate trash level monitoring with building monitoring systems.

We heard about sustainable home construction from DPS Construction and Sheedy Watts Design.

Our Gold Partner DPS Construction specializes in residential construction and remodeling projects including: additions, renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodels, exterior trim and siding, interior trim and details, outdoor living spaces, garages and more. In an industry that is known for generating a lot of landfill waste, DPS Construction stands out as a leader in sustainability for their commitment to recycling construction and demolition materials.

DPS partners with Sheedy Watts Design to create sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient living spaces through an “Inside-Out” design process. They renovate many existing homes, and we just love their observation, “Isn’t that the ultimate recycling, taking something old and re-doing it, making it new again?” A few of their favorite design strategies to make a small home feel bigger include bringing daylight into the home, open plans, and taller ceilings.

Like what you’ve read and seen? Join us for our next Monthly Mixer! It will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 at The Liberty.

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