Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan

Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan
December 16, 2019 Emie-Claude Lamoureux

 

Notable Sustainable Companies
in Michigan

Bordering four out of the five Great Lakes, the state of Michigan has much to offer the outdoorsman or adventurous traveler. Its rich nature might be what inspired so many Notable Sustainable Companies to launch. Below are some of our favourite ones we have discovered. From sustainable agriculture, to clothing to battery technology, it’s clear that Michigan is a thriving ecosystem of global leaders doing their great efforts to sustain a healthy world for all.

There are many more sustainable companies in Michigan that we may have missed, so if you believe you should be in the Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan, contact us and we will evaluate your sustainable initiative. We did not receive any funding or incentives to feature these companies. Our goal is to create an awareness of sustainable development and encourage others to take part. Companies listed here are also welcome to add our eco-badge to their website at the bottom of this article. 

Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan 

Detroit Dirt

Detroit Dirt provides a leading model of organic waste recovery and reuse. The company recycles resources to increase awareness and actions leading to a more sustainable community. Detroit Dirt’s mission is to create a zero-waste mindset throughout communities and drive forward a low-carbon economy.

To make high-quality compost, their facility processes:

  • food waste;
  • green waste;
  • spent grains,
  • and herbivore manures.

This Notable Sustainable Company in Michigan has partnered with companies like General Motors and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to pick up their food waste. The Detroit Zoo, having access to herbivore manures. And, local breweries, collecting spent grains. Rather than the waste going into dumpsters to drive off into a landfill, Detroit Dirt takes all those elements to produce high-quality compost for local urban gardeners and farmers.

Follow Detroit Dirt:

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FoodLab Detroit 

Photo credit: FoodLab Detroit Instagram

FoodLab started in January 2011 with a handful of good food entrepreneurs gathered around a kitchen table to talk about how they could support each other and contribute to Detroit’s growing good food movement. Today, FoodLab is a community of food entrepreneurs committed to making the possibility of good food in Detroit a sustainable reality. They design, build, and maintain systems to grow a diverse ecosystem of triple-bottom-line food businesses as part of a good food movement accountable to all Detroiters.

FoodLab Allies & Partner, also Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan:

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Sklarczyk Seed Farms (SSF)

Sklarczyk Seed Farms (SSF) is a family-run potato farm established in 1942 in Johannesburg, Michigan. They’ve become known for their high-quality seed potatoes and their ability to remain innovative for an increasingly progressive market.

In the 1980’s, SSF helped lead innovations in the utilization of tissue culture for seed potato production. By the 90’s, their greenhouses were converted to hydroponic potato production at the recommendation of Frito Lay. Without the demands of a growing field seed, all the focus and resources could be put into the greenhouse.

​SSF currently produces 5.5-6 million mini tubers hydroponically each year within 3 poly-top greenhouses and two 5 bay gutter connect glasshouses.  All plant needs are propagated onsite in a laboratory devoted entirely to seed potato tissue culture production. SSF mini tubers are shipped throughout the U.S., Canada, Chile, Thailand, Brazil, and the Middle East. SSF continues to meet increasing demand by producing over 4 million seed potatoes a year. While field potatoes are no longer grown, SSF still farms about 1,110 acres of corn, wheat, soybeans and oats to supply markets throughout Michigan.

Follow Sklarczyk Seed Farms:

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MyGreenFills

 

Ruth Smith wasn’t intending to get into the laundry biz when she started making her own soap to ease her children’s’ severe skin allergies, but that is just what happened. When Ruth paired with CEO Stephen Ezell, they found the single-use laundry bottles and chemical-packed soaps that consumers were buying to be a less than optimal option. Together they created Selestial Soap; a hypoallergenic, earth-friendly, and non-toxic laundry detergent comes in a reusable jug, shaping them into a Notable Sustainable Company in Michigan.

When you are running low on laundry detergent, MyGreenFills ships refills right to your door.

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The Great Lakes Environmental Law Center

The Great Lakes Environmental Law Center is a Detroit-based nonprofit that offers community education, policy support, and various legal services to address environmental, resource, & energy issues affecting communities in and around Detroit, all over Michigan, and throughout the Great Lakes region.

Be it air, water, or land, everyday decisions are made and actions are taken that impact the environment, energy, and resources on which Great Lakes communities rely. Engaging with those communities is at the heart of the Center’s mission. Through that engagement, community members educate them on how pollution, insufficient access to justice, and poor resource management affect their lives; and they advise them on what solutions should look like where they live, work, and play.

The issues they work on include, but are not limited to:

  • Environmental justice and civil rights
  • Public health and air quality
  • Drinking water safety and affordability
  • Water resource management
  • Storm water management and green infrastructure
  • Renewable energy and climate change
  • Urban agriculture and food waste management
  • Mineral mining and oil & gas drilling
  • Commenting on and challenging agency permits, particularly those involving air emissions and discharges to water
  • Citizen enforcement of environmental laws
  • Freedom of Information Act and Right to Know requests

Specific services:

Educational presentations & written analysis
GLELC can help your organization learn more about how environmental, energy, or resource law can address an issue you’re concerned about. Sometimes an organization would prefer a written analysis of a particular legal issue, and they can provide that too.

Commenting on & challenging agency permits
Whether it authorizes discharges to water bodies, or widening a highway, or adding emissions to the air, or approving more water withdrawals, GLELC can draft comments on your organization’s behalf. They can also file challenges to permits at the appropriate administrative tribunal.

Transactional work
Incorporating as an environmental nonprofit and drafting your governance documents, gaining an urban farm, reviewing an easement for green infrastructure, or drafting legislation. They do various kinds of transactional work related to environment and energy.

Policy support
From designing a community toolkit to writing a white paper to preparing for public testimony, we can provide legal analysis to support your policy and advocacy objectives.

Citizen enforcement of environmental laws
When the government decides to not go after someone who violated our environmental laws, we can provide legal representation to allow you to enforce them yourself to prevent more violations, to deter future ones, and to remedy any harm done.

Record Requests
Requesting public records should be easy, but it isn’t. GLELC can work with your organization to develop record requests in part by helping to frame the legal issues involved. GLELC can also challenge government bodies when they fail to provide records according to the law.

Follow Great Lakes Environmental Law Center:

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Bazzani

Bazzani’s mission is to serve their clients by creating buildings that are cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable. Through award-winning developments, such as being listed as one of BCorp’s Best of the World, Bazzani has earned a reputation for designing and building high-performance buildings within diverse, urban neighborhoods. Since 1983, the founder, Guy Bazzani, has earned the reputation of pioneer and visionary of green building and urban revitalization.

Projects at Bazzani are approached with respect to the Triple Bottom Line Philosophy. That means the firm continually balances the aspects of economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental integrity in all they do. It is how Bazzani defines sustainability and shows respect for their clients, tenants, employees, the environment, and future generations.  They believe that responsible business is a vehicle for improving the economic, social and environmental health and well-being of the communities they serve.

Follow Bazzani: 

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Brewery Vivant

Located in a former funeral home chapel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brewery Vivant specializes in farmhouse ales and fare. The core of Brewery Vivant can be found at the crossroads of three passions:

  • A love of the tradition and artistic approach of the farmhouse styles of beers;
  • running the business according to the three pillars of sustainability;
  • and a focus on sharing the experience of how beer and food can be paired to uplift the enjoyment of both.

The word “vivant” translates as “to be alive”. As we say in Quebec, Bon vivant (the good life) is often used regarding people who enjoy eating and drinking well…and that is what Brewery Vivant is all about.

Since opening in 2010, this Notable Sustainable Company in Michigan has has published an annual sustainability report titled “Beer the change…” which documents their progress towards their sustainability goals including:

  • Producing zero waste;
  • reducing their water & carbon footprints;
  • focusing their spend on Michigan suppliers;
  • and donating 1% of sales & volunteering over 400 hours annually to local community partners.

In 2014 they became the 4th certified B Corporation in West Michigan (there are over 900 B Corps globally). B Corps are for-profit companies certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This is an international certification similar to LEED for buildings or Fair Trade for coffees, but it looks at the whole business, not just one piece.

And speaking of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), Brewery Vivant was awarded the first ever LEED certification (LEED Silver) for a production brewery in the United States in 2012. The U.S. Green Building Council is the certifying party that is changing the way we think about how buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained and operated. LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Efficiencies also save money.

There’s more about their buildings:

  • High efficiency heating/cooling units with CO2 sensors that resulted in an energy savings of 7% over ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (LEED Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance)
  • Their existing glycol cooling system for their beer tanks were up-sized slightly so it could also cool the cooler our draft beer comes from.
  • All of their rainwater runoff is recaptured in a giant cistern and slowly released into the ground to reduce the pressure on our city’s wastewater treatment plant.
  • They also use no potable water to irrigate their landscaping around the building and within the beer garden (LEED Water Efficiency Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping).
  • Instead of spending extra resources on tile, carpet or paint, they polished their existing concrete floors in the pub. Not only did this save them money but also gave them a cool look.
  • Their toilets are all low flow and they have waterless urinals, resulting in a yearly water savings of nearly 50,000 gallons of potable water (LEED Water Efficiency Prerequisite 1: Water Use Reduction)
  • The sinks in their bathrooms use sensors to turn on and off to reduce water use.

Carbon Footprint of Farm Hand
Farm Hand is their flagship beer (most often brewed, sold, and drank!). In 2013, they compiled a boatload of statistics and calculated the beer’s carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is determined by calculating the total sets of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person. Farm Hand’s carbon footprint is 418.97 g CO2e. If you want to know more about this number, what it means, and how they arrived at it, check out the extensive Carbon Footprint Report (PDF).

We’ll make a stop next time we visit Michigan!

Follow Brewery Vivant:

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Next Up: Notable Sustainable Companies in Ohio

Cascade Engineering 

Cascade Engineering was founded and headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. A manufacturing company comprising 9 business units, they support a broad diversity of markets including:

  • Transportation;
  • environmental services;
  • office furniture;
  • RFID asset management;
  • material handling & polymer compounding.

This certified B Corporation specializes in plastic injection molding of large parts, the company employs 1600 people in 14 US locations with additional European operations in Budapest, Hungary.

Cascade Engineering is a nationally recognized proponent of sustainable business practices that emphasize the key role business can play in building financial, social and ecological capital.

Follow Cascade Engineering:

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Catalyst Partners

Catalyst Partners is a multi-dimensional consortium of knowledge leaders committed to the creation of places in which all species can flourish. Their team comprises professionals with licensures in science, engineering architecture and interiors that specialize in high performance, restorative design protocols for buildings and products.

Catalyst Partners is committed to the creation of places where all species can flourish. Their services include:

  • Building energy optimization: Advise design teams on building envelope, mechanical, and electrical systems
    performance services.
  • Healthy building consulting: Identify strategies to increase occupant health and wellness in the built environment.
  • WELL performance testing: Verify compliance with the WELL Building Standard.
  • Certification system administration: Lead projects to certifications in LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Living Building Challenge, Enterprise Green Communities, BREEAM, and Green Globes.
  • Energy modeling: Conduct design simulation to optimize energy conservation measures and reduce operating costs.
  • Systems & building commissioning: Conduct independent system performance verification to ensure consistency with the Owner’s Project Requirements.
  • Daylight simulation: Provide design simulation to inform the integration of daylight, electric lighting, and controls.
  • Energy incentive coordination: Verify incentive qualifications and manage the utility documentation and application process.
  • Integrative pre-design: Collaborate with multiple disciplines and stakeholders to set project goals and analyze design opportunities for resource optimization.
  • Product assessment: Verify that products meet environmental, energy, and safety standards identified by clients.
  • Green product marketing: Guide manufacturers in aligning and presenting their products with standards of performance.
  • Certification auditing: Provide in-depth experience based on our LEED Review contract with GBCI.
  • Indoor air quality testing: Analyze IAQ in new and existing buildings and assess against identified standards.
  • Energy auditing: Assess existing building performance to identify timely opportunities for efficiency improvements.

Follow Catalyst Partners:

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Bees In the D

Bees in the D is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, and businesses in the city of Detroit and Southeast Michigan to contribute to both the health of honeybee colonies and the education of their importance to our environment.

Education:

Accomplishments:

  • Placed 6 hives in 2016, 29 in 2017, and over 100 hives in the 2018 season, and 160 in 2019!
  • They maintain an apiary at Oakland University to educate about honeybees and their conservation.
  • Advised Detroit’s City Planners about writing ordinances in favor of beekeeping within city and urban communities.
  • Partner with local businesses to use our local honey in their menus and products.
  • Place hives within community gardens to increase crop yields for the enjoyment of the community.
  • Maintain 5 honey bee hives atop Cobo Center’s Living Green Roof.
  • Ambassador with The Honeybee Conservancy and other pollinator groups.
  • Present to neighborhood groups to ease misconceptions and apprehension of community hives.
  • Work with local children’s groups, boy-scouts, girl-scouts, and LEGO leagues.
  • Hold interactive presentations at nature centers and DNR about pollinator gardens, beekeeping, and other pollinators.
  • Organize honey harvests to engage the public and educate about the process.
  • Provide Hive Tracks Software used to compile data and reports for clients and data compiled for the betterment of beekeeping globally.

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Advanced Battery Concepts  

Advanced Battery Concepts has designed a bipolar lead-acid battery and implemented a commercially viable manufacturing process.

Bipolar construction is an approach that produces lead batteries that are lighter, cost less, charge faster, and last longer than traditional lead batteries. Commercial implementation, however, has been non-existent because of its small, non-standard size – until now.

Here are the advantages of bipolar batteries:

  • Uniform current density;
  • increases active material utilization;
  • higher energy density & power density;
  • simpler construction.

Advanced Battery Concepts eliminates heavy metal grids and top-level lead connections, so the batteries are significantly lighter. For example, a car starting battery with their GreenSeal weighs 10-20 pounds less than a typical car battery. This can conserve 20-30 gallons of gasoline per year for every driver, potentially saving billions of gallons of oil annually across the globe.

Compared to standard lead batteries, GreenSeal increases a lead battery’s life cycle by about 300%.  And, GreenSeal batteries are 100% recyclable and easily fit into existing recycling processes.

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Clothing Matters 

Since 1996, Clothing Matters has provided exquisite layers of comfort while supporting social justice and reducing toxins in closets, communities & ecosystems. This Notable Sustainable Company in Michigan helps their customers offset & avoid apparel’s impact as one of our world’s most polluting industries. ​

A commitment to non-toxic apparel practices considers all phases of production, directly improving the lives of all at every touch point, and the entire ecosystem​ that supports our lives.

They build their business upon relationships with design teams who decide based on respect for all life—to improve personal, social and ecological well-being—​local, regionally, and globally. ​​

Why hemp?

Perhaps the world’s most resourceful fiber, hemp requires little water & grows resiliently without the use of herbicides & insecticides. For thousands of years, hemp has been used for fuel, food & fiber. As a fabric, hemp provides all the warmth, breathability and softness of other natural textiles but with a superior durability seldom found in other materials.

​Why organic cotton?

100% Non-GMO, certified organic cotton, leaves the soil, air & water free from contaimates that cause harm to people & the planet. Conventional cotton is the most heavily treated crops with insecticide and fertilizer, accounting for 10% of the world’s pesticides and 25% of all insecticides.

Why eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree that, similar to hemp, is very resourceful & resilient in nature. Derived from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, tencel lyocell goes through a similar process as other semi-synthetic natural fibers, but is much cleaner & more ecologically sound.

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Integrated Architecture 

Integrated Architecture (IA) is a Grand Rapids based architecture firm offering expertise in all aspects of sustainable architecture, planning, engineering, interior and landscape design. Working at the intersection of art and science, they resolve strategic issues by creating human-centered space and place. Their vision is to create transformative environments that enable individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential for creativity, collaboration and productivity. They view architecture as an important tool to realize a more humane and sustainable society.

For over a decade, they have strived to create exceptional, sustainable buildings, systems and environments that support the health and welfare of each occupant while conserving natural resources and providing operational efficiencies.

The architects, engineers and designers at IA are personally and professionally committed to sustainability. The IA team utilizes several design tools and guidelines to inform and measure our efforts, including LEED and the Living Building Challenge. IA staff are Living Building Challenge Ambassadors and LEED professionals.

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Lowry Solutions 

Lowry Solutions was founded in 1974 as a data peripheral supplier and emerged as a leading re-seller of hardware, software, and supplies in the barcode industry. Since then, they have evolved and grown to meet the needs and challenges of our clients. This change has largely involved helping our clients leverage innovative technology more effectively to improve efficiency, increase quality and make them more agile.

Today, they are a global systems integrator of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Blockchain, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and barcode solutions for supply chain applications. Lowry has been implementing real-time asset visibility solutions that simplify trace-ability and improve business outcomes through sustainable solutions. The company continues to evolve alongside its clients to provide the most complete and modern data collection, integration, and management solutions available.

Lowry Solutions is committed to helping customers implement sustainable AIDC solutions ranging from:

  • Lowry’s stock label program
  • Green ribbon offerings (Armor, ITW)
  • Mobility solutions (Mobile Computer, Tablet Solutions)
  • Proven success in decreasing customers’ carbon footprint and paper trail
  • Asset disposal
  • Product recycling programs

Follow Lowry Solutions:

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Schupan Recycling

Photo credit: Schupan Recycling Instagram

Schupan & Sons, Inc. was incorporated in 1968 as a non-ferrous industrial scrap processor by Nelson Schupan. Today, the company has evolved into several metal and plastic-related areas. Schupan Industrial Recycling Services operates a number of scrap processing yards for ferrous and non-ferrous metals on a national and international level at each division, with locations in four states.

They services include:

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We hope you enjoyed L’Autre Couleur’s Notable Sustainable Companies in Michigan!

L’Autre Couleur is a responsible content marketing & design agency that represents companies making a difference in positive impact & sustainability. We offer end-to-end full service in digital marketing services, ranging from content writing & web design to social media and public relations campaign management.

To work with us on content writing or digital marketing projects, contact us.

This was the 21th post in the Notable Sustainable Companies series; one for every State in the United States. You can expect a Notable Sustainable Companies article for every State in the United States! To stay updated on the up-and-coming initiatives, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, please comment if we have left out any important sustainable companies in Michigan that you believe should be part of our list of top sustainable companies, or if you have any thoughts/comments on the article.

Check out some sustainable companies happening in your neighbouring country.

 

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