Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Businesses

Interview with Dennis Salazar

Dennis Salazar is the President and Co-Founder of Salazar Packaging, Inc. along with his Wife, Lenora Salazar.

RM: Your company is Salazar Packing, but aren't you also known by another name?

DS: Yes, we are best known for our Globe Guard Product line, so many people know us by that name.

RM: What inspired you to make the Globe Guard product line?

DS: As a career packaging person I saw our industry being the primary focus and in most opinions, culprit of our environmental woes. As an industry we deserve much of the criticism and Salazar Packing, Inc. saw an opportunity to correct and repair that image by making eco friendly packaging products available and affordable to anyone who wants them.

RM: What are your company's goals?

DS: We like to think we are bringing the green and packaging communities together through product development, market knowledge, and education of both communities. We spend a lot of time overcoming misconceptions and dispelling myths about green expectations versus packing capabilities.

RM: How have things changed since you started your business?

DS: The economy has forced green packaging products to be price competitive and that is a very good thing. Manufacturers and suppliers who felt they could insist on a "green premium" have come to understand that though most people want to use green products, few are able or willing to pay an up charge for that effort.

RM: What's next?

DS: Innovation is the key. We try to keep our fingers on the proverbial pulse of the green community so we can determine where they are headed and get there as quickly as possible with our products and solutions. A great example is the resurgence of glass packaging for use on organic products. Glass is the preferred primary packaging but it creates unique shipping problems compared to the plastic containers it usually replaces.

RM: If there is one message you want people to take from your business, what would it be?

DS: That we sincerely care and are eager to help other people and companies who are as enthusiastic of protecting the environment as we are.

Thank you Dennis!

You can contact Salazar Packaging, Inc. at www.GlobeGuardProducts.com or www.SalazarPackaging.com. They service many types of companies from Fortune 500 companies as well as small start-up, home based companies. They are members of Green America and the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance. They have recently been nominated for Green America's 2009 Green Leadership Award.

Dennis was born and raised in Chicago and now lives in Plainfield IL. with his wife, kids and dog Gateway, just two miles from his warehouse.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Maria Onesto Moran

Maria Onesto Moran is the Owner and President of Green Home Experts, an eco-friendly building and home supply store at 823 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.

RM: Maria, what inspired you to open Green Home Experts?

MM: I’ve always had a tough time finding green products for my own home, so I wanted to open a store that was a one-stop shop for all things green.

RM: Tell me about the kind of products you carry.

MM: We specialize in eco-friendly building and home supplies, offering green alternatives for everything in the home. Our products vary, but we concentrate on the following:
Made of recycled and/or recyclable materials
Made of renewable resources
Water or energy efficient
Non-toxic
Made with biodegradable ingredients
Not tested on animals

RM: When did you open?

MM: Green Home Experts opened in February, 2008.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you started?

MM: Oh gosh, I could write a book about this. I’ve never been so exhausted—or happy—in my life. The store has experienced tremendous growth since we opened, offering a larger variety of product. The community looks to us as the go-to source of information and product. We really enjoy answering people’s questions, helping solve their problems, and offering green alternatives for every day living.

RM: What's next?

MM: We’re looking to expand to personal care products and possibly add a shopping cart to our website.

RM: What's the one message you would like to give to people?

MM: Always trust your gut.

RM: Will you have any special products available for the holidays?

MM: Yes! We are rolling out the holiday products which include
Recycled glass ornaments; A variety of holiday gift soaps; Cutting boards made from locally reclaimed lumber; Messenger and grocer bags made from recycled plastic; Bamboo business card holders

Thank you Maria!

Maria Onesto Moran lives in Forest Park with her husband and two pitbulls, Butkus and Mia. She loves spending time with her dogs and working on her 95 year old house when she isn't at Green Home Experts helping other people with their houses. Green Home Experts is open Tuesday through Sunday at 10am, closing at 7pm T - F, 4pm Sat, and 2pm Sun.

Local Green Holiday Guide: Where do you live?

Friends of the Recycle Me Blog, I will be adding more interviews from the West Coast, particularly the Seattle, WA and Southern California areas because I know many of my readers are from those areas.

Most of my interviews are from businesses around Chicagoland because that's were Recycle Me is located.

If you live somewhere else and want to hear about Green Businesses in your area, or know a Green Business I should blog about, please contact me at alix@recyclemeorganictees.com with that request so we can get them in here!

Thanks!

Holiday Green Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Andrew Baker

Andrew Baker is the Owner of Drew's Eatery, located in the North Central neighborhood of Chicago, at 2207 W. Montrose, where you can find yummy, healthy and satisfying treats any time of year.

RM: When did you open Drew's Eatery?

AB: March 14th, 2009.

RM: How would you describe your Eatery? What makes Drew's Drew's?

AB: It's an eatery with an emphasis on Organic, Local, and Natural foods. What makes it Drew's is that we offer a healthier choice for life's simple pleasures, using eco friendly packaging and to go supplies. Our menus are printed on brown paper bags and we take time to find environmentally responsible alternatives for our everyday supplies.

RM: What inspired you to start this yummy Eatery?

AB: When I lived in San Francisco for a couple of years I learned a lot about local and organic foods and just became more ecologically aware. That's just how I think about things now.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you opened last Spring?

AB: More and more customers who come in are educated and aware of their environmental impacts. We have a lot of families who are regulars here because it is important to them to raise their children in a healthy, more environmentally aware manner.

RM: What are your goals through your business?

AB: To make a difference while making a profit.

RM: What's next? Long term I would love to expand, but today it is day by day, building our business and getting the word out about Drew's.

Drew's Eatery serves items such as vegan and all natural beef hot dogs, vegetarian and meat chili, so it's a place where families and friends with different dietary palates can all be happy together. They also serve seasonal treats like pumpkin ice cream and a pumpkin non-dairy cream. And did I mention their food is delicious?

You can visit Drew's Eatery Tuesday through Sunday at 2207 W. Montrose Ave. You can also become a fan of Drew's on Facebook. You'll get updates on different seasonal treats, FB promotions, and invitations to some wonderful local artisan openings hosted by Andrew.

Mr. Baker grew up in Palm Springs, CA. He currently resides in Logan Square with his partner David Vail of Hazel Inc. (just East on Montrose) of 17 years, who share their pad with dogs Rocky and George.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Jen Khatchatrian the Eco Chic Organizer

Jen Khatchatrian is the Author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com and founder of www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, which she started in 2007. You can find environmentally friendly social events in Chicago for the holidays or any time of the year on her blog www.EcoChicOrganizer.com.

RM: What is your green business, in this case, businesses?

JK: I am the author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com, a blog about stylishly going green with urban kids. I also created www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, a social organization dedicated to connecting families to conservation. We adopted 2 Chicago beaches this year with the help of the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Chicago Conservation Corps.

RM: What inspired you to start these businesses?

JK: I created the blog because I didn't find a place for eco friendly luxury for families that had balanced humor with education. I created Chicago Green Families because I could not find an eco friendly summer camp for my kids. The first year we connected with families with three different summer camp classes, and this year we focused on water conservation.

RM: What are your goals?

JK: My goal for the organization is expanding to different neighborhoods within Chicago to showcase the benefits of stewardship in our own communities. We are planning on expanding the number of beaches in our water conservation program next year and would love to assign Board positions to finalize the 501c3 status. I also love to share EcoChic tips with families.

RM: Have you received any awards?

JK: In addition to getting my Chicago Conservation Corps Leader designation, I have been featured on WLIT-FM, A Fresh Squeeze, NBC Live Green Series and have been chosen a Green Hero of Chicago by Greenwerks.

RM: What's next?

JK: Increasing participation and making a bigger impact.

Thanks Jen! Before starting her Green Organizations, Jennifer Khatchatrian was a freelance writer. She resides in the South Loop with her husband and two kids. To get involved or contact her you can email Jen at chicagogreenfamilies.com.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

For the next several weeks we will be interviewing Green Business Owners about their business, products, or services in an effort to get you thinking green for your holiday shopping. Today is our first interview.



Interview with Author Jill Ammon Vanderwood.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is an award winning author, writing children's books and non-fiction stories. In March, 2009 her book, "What's It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live." was published.

RM: Tell me about about your book "What's It Like, Living Green?"

JV: My book is a compilation of stories from families who live green, kids who are making a difference for the environment and tips as simple as putting on a sweater, rather than turning up the heat. It's not, just kids telling other kids how they live and teach by example. "What's It Like, Living Green" is a 148 page nonfiction book, for ages 9 and up.

RM: What inspired you to write this book?

JV: On the thirtieth anniversary of Earth Day, I began to wonder if we had made any difference for the environment in all those years. I was inspired by my neighbor, Nicole, who filled up the whole back of a pickup to recycle her aluminum cans for cash for Christmas presents. I was also inspired by my younger sister, Jeanette, who drives an older disel Mercedes fueled by used cooking grease.
One night I fell asleep with these ideas in mind and woke up the next morning with the idea of "What’s It Like, Living Green?" I knew that kids are the ones to teach this concept to other kids. My search began for kids and their families who live green.

RM: What have you learned from writing this book?

JV: Wow! I’m embarrassed to say how much I’ve learned. I was still drinking bottled water when I began this book, but that ended abruptly. We started a compost, increased our garden, and canned more this year. I would be at Garden Green level on the green scale now, but…even though I have a fuel efficient car my next step—is to drive less.

RM: What is the most important message you hope comes across from "What's It Like, Living Green."

JV: I think the most important message is that everyone can change something to make a difference. People aren’t expected to change everything all at once. Take one green step and then the rest will follow.

RM: Please tell us about your book awards.

JV: "What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live", is the winner of three national book awards: The National Indie Excellence Award—in the ‘Green’ category; The Teen Development Award—in the Pre-teen/nonfiction category; and the National “Best Books 2009” award in the Environment: Green/Alternative Energy/Conservation" category.

RM: Where can we purchase your book?

JV: You can find my book through Amazon.com or you can order through your local bookstore.

Thank you Jill! Mrs. Vanderwood grew up in Portland, Oregon with 7 sisters and 3 brothers. She now lives in Utah with her husband, Bill, frequently making up stories for their grandchildren.

Holiday Shopping Guide: Green Your Holiday!

All of November I will be blogging about green businesses, products and services in an effort to help consumers green their holidays.

Please stay tuned!