The Knoxville Chamber recently announced the first group of businesses to receive recognition through its green business program. The Green Business Recognition Program honors businesses that have implemented strategies to reduce waste, save energy, and become more environmentally conscious.

The businesses are Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - Strawberry Plains, Smith, Seckman & Reid, Inc, Design Innovation Architects, Michael Brady Inc., Rapid Refill, Virtual Interactive Center, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation, Claris Networks, Vinyard Floor Covering Co., Inc, Green Car & Courier, Thermocopy, Brewer Ingram Fuller Architects, Inc, Elizabeth Eason Architecture, Inc, Smith and Hammaker.

"These Chamber members have made a commitment to being green and they deserve to be recognized,” said Garrett Wagley, the Chamber’s director of communications and government relations. “The cost of energy has increased and it makes good business sense to look for ways to reduce energy and to employ environmentally friendly practices. We hope that these fourteen businesses will inspire others to implement green business practices too."

Chamber members interested in receiving recognition simply complete an online Green Business Recognition Program application, which includes a list of green practices. Applicants receive points for meeting the requirements of listed items. Points awarded are based on the level of difficulty of that item or the amount of the expense required to implement that green strategy. Twenty total points are required to be recognized as a green business by the Knoxville Chamber. Applications are available at www.knoxvillechamber.com.