Meet the greenest members of the South Loop community

Caring about the environment and being eco-savvy is no longer just about recycling and hybrid cars. Reducing our carbon footprint is strongly tied to the choices we make every day, where we choose to shop, what we eat, or where we go to school. Eventually environmental stewardship requires a massive and combined effort.

Chicago can only take pride in what it has achieved so far in terms of green living, as it offers plenty of opportunities to go green, whether it’s by supporting urban farming, creating walkable communities or fostering major energy efficiency upgrades.

On a smaller scale, businesses around the city have proved their commitment to green practices and can help you do your part to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. From eco-friendly footwear and re-upholstered furniture to organic, fair-trade coffee and eco-friendly office supplies, these stores stock goodies that have you and Mother Nature covered.

In a recent event held at Roosevelt University’s new LEED Gold Building, the Alliance for a Greener South Loop celebrated the greenest community members and businesses. Amidst a wide array of buildings in the South Loop that showcase energy-efficient and green-design features, a few businesses topped the ranks as green, greener and greenest of them all . Here are the winners of the 4^th Annual Greener South Loop Awards:

Institutions:

• Greenest: Roosevelt University, 425 S. Wabash
• Greener: Old St. Mary’s School, 1474 S. Michigan

Businesses:

• Greenest: Overflow Coffee Bar, 1550 S. State St.
• Greener: Urban Re-mix, 1468 S. Michigan
• Green: Well Future Pharmacy, 1442 S. Michigan

Buildings:

• Greenest: Dearborn Tower Condominium Association, 1530 S. Dearborn St.
• Greener: State Place Condominium Association, 1101 S. State St.
• Green: Transportation Building Condominium Association, 600 S. Dearborn St.

2012 Green Heroes: Alex Borgen (graduate student, Columbia College Chicago) and Maria Lawrence (director, South Loop Early Childhood Center).

Get the inside scoop on Overflow Coffee Bar, one of Chicago’s greenest and most ethical businesses of the year:

Do you know other green businesses around the neighborhood? You can leave your recommendations in the comments section.