The sixth class of Green Check businesses has completed certification! These 12 local businesses represent a variety of industries and have gone above and beyond to ensure they are doing their part to make Lexington more sustainable.
Black Soil: Our Better Nature – Bronze
Black Soil is an organization that brings together urban families with rural and urban-based black farmers, growers, and producers across the state. As agriculture and buying local are cornerstones in living sustainably, Black Soil’s work is a natural fit for the Green Check program. A few of their sustainable initiatives include hosting environmental events, utilizing a rain barrel system, and purchasing non-Styrofoam products.
Learn more about Black Soil at shopblacksoilky.com
Blake Eames Design – Silver
Blake Eames Design is our highest scoring Green Check business this year with 77.27% of the scorecard complete. Housed in a refurbished gas station, Blake Eames Design has embedded sustainability into almost every possible aspect of their businesses. Their work is focused on commercial & residential design as well as commissioned paintings and recycled & refurbished furniture.
Learn more about Blake Eames Design at blakeeamesdesign.com
CivicLex – Silver
CivicLex is a local non-profit focused on providing education that is centered on civic issues related to the Lexington community. Their silver level Green Check certification is rooted in various sustainable policies and outreach initiatives that include participating in litter clean-ups and hosting online workshops.
Learn more about CivicLex at civiclex.org
Doodles Breakfast & Lunch – Bronze
Local favorite brunch spot, Doodles Breakfast & Lunch, joins our growing list of Green Check eateries. Sustainability is literally built into their business as Doodles resides in a refurbished gas station. Additionally, their outdoor patio has hosted environmental events and houses several pollinator plants on site.
Learn more about Doodles at doodleslex.com
Hera BioLabs – Member
Hera BioLabs uses cutting-edge, gene-editing technologies to accelerate pre-clinical research and drug development. Properly disposing of chemical waste is obviously a priority for Hera given the nature of their work. However, they also have focused their sustainability efforts in ensuring over 75% of their lighting is LED and that their animal waste is recycled through Stericycle.
Learn more about Hera BioLabs at herabiolabs.com
John’s Run/Walk Shop – Bronze
John’s Run/Walk Shop has served Central Kentucky runners since 1978. In recent years, their initiatives of going bag less, hosting plogging events with Keep Lexington Beautiful, and improving their energy efficiency have helped them to achieve bronze level Green Check certification.
Learn more about John’s Run/Walk Shop at johnsrunwalkshop.com
Kentucky American Water – Silver
Kentucky American Water came in strong checking off every box in the water conservation and water quality sections of the scorecard. Along with other scorecard initiatives, Kentucky American Water received credit for a few of their innovate programs. Those programs include their drug take back program, water recycling for local farmers, and utilizing gravel instead of pavement whenever possible.
Learn more about Kentucky American Water at amwater.com/kyaw
Kentucky for Kentucky – Member
Kentucky’s “go-to souvenir shop”, Kentucky for Kentucky, made waste reduction their most completed section of the Green Check scorecard. Aside from accomplishing the required items related to recycling, Kentucky for Kentucky was able to check off items such as using at least 50% post consumer paper, providing reusable dishware for staff, and establishing an environmentally friendly printing policy.
Learn more about Kentucky for Kentucky at kyforky.com
Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center – Bronze
As one of only four LEED certified Green Check businesses, The Lyric Theatre & Arts Center has several unique sustainability features throughout the renovated building. A green roof, rainwater catchment system, and the use of the abundant natural light are a few of those features that boosted their LEED and Green Check scores.
Learn more about the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center at lexingtonlyric.com
Pivot Brewing – Silver
Local cider and beer brewer, Pivot Brewing, has made environmental impact an essential component of their business. Their silver level certification was achieved by checking off a few innovative and/or larger initiatives on the scorecard. A few of those initiatives include installing solar panels on the roof, working with the Citizen Climate Lobby, and recycling keg caps.
Learn more about Pivot Brewing at pivotbrewingcompany.com
Wellward Regenerative Medicine – Member
Green Check is excited to welcome our first certified medical practice, Wellward Regenerative Medicine! They were able to utilize many of the Green Check scorecard policies to implement more green practices throughout their office. Some of those practices included implementing environmentally friendly printing and purchasing local when available.
Learn more about Wellward Regenerative Medicine at wellwardmed.com
Wild Birds Unlimited – Bronze
Wild Birds Unlimited is another natural fit for the Green Check program. They specialize in providing the tools and education needed for at home bird feeding. During this year’s certification process, Wild Birds Unlimited was one of the few businesses that completed a storm drain stenciling. They also boosted their scorecard by selling ecowear products, utilizing shopping bags made from recycled fiber, and offering to plant a tree for every purchase of a reusable shopping bag.
Learn more about Wild Birds Unlimited at lexingtonky.wbu.com
Want to talk to these businesses about their work in sustainability? The 2021 Green Check Awards Celebration will honor all 12 on Tuesday, September 28th at Pivot Brewing from 3:00-5PM. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information on Green Check, check out LexingtonKY.gov/GreenCheck.
