G5 is growing by leaps and bounds. At a time when many companies are laying off and cutting back, the Bend business that provides local marketing solutions is adding employees, clients and accolades to its roster. And being green is one of the things G5 is being recognized for.
Named one of the 100 Best Green Companies by Oregon Business magazine in 2008 and 2009, G5 was commended for its commitment to sustainable practices, which pays off not only for the environment and the bottom line, but also in being a great place to work. (The company was also named one of the country’s 50 “Best Places to Work” by Outside magazine in 2010.)
“We try to be as green as possible in every way, and (partnering with) Commute Options fits into our overall green plan,” said Kat Merrick, executive assistant and Commute Options liaison for G5. The company also employs a number of energy efficient and green practices in their office environment, including composting, recycling, paperless efforts, black and white printing whenever possible, purchase of second-hand office furniture, energy-saving lighting practices, and not using paper/plastic cups or silverware.
So it is not surprising that G5 is a Commute Options partner. With 90 employees at present count, G5’s downtown office provides bike racks for secure bike parking. During the summer, roughly 1/3 of G5’s employees bike to work, but they also use a number of other commute options for which they are rewarded through Commute Options’ commuter rewards program.
As a Commute Options Partner, employees of G5 track their trips walking, biking, carpooling, vanpooling, busing and teleworking. Every quarter, Commute Options compiles the number of car trips saved and the amount of gasoline, pollution and costs reduced.
For every 45 trips saved by choosing an option other than driving alone, employees of Commute Options Partners – like G5 – receive a $20 gift certificate to the local company of their choice, including the Grocery Outlet, The Shops at the Old Mill District, Bend Brewing Company, FootZone, Hutch’s Bicycles, The Pine Tavern Restaurant, Red Carpet Express Gas Station and Car Wash, and D&H Texaco in Redmond.
“G5 is a great example of an up and coming business that sees how partnering with Commute Options benefits their employees and the environment,” says Jeff Monson, executive director of Commute Options.
To find out more about G5, visit www.g5platform.com. To register to become a Commute Options Partner, visit www.commuteoptions.org.
Commute Options promotes choices that reduce the impacts of driving alone. For more information about Commute Options, contact Jeff Monson, Executive Director of Commute Options at 541-330-2647 or visit www.commuteoptions.org.
Annissa Anderson is a freelance writer and PR consultant in Bend.
