Arlington Kicks Off Green Games

Let the games begin!

Arlington city officials and business leaders kicked off a friendly competition called Arlington Green Games at an event on Tuesday held on Wilson Boulevard. For environmental inspiration, the sign-up venue overlooked the Potomac River.

The goal is to encourage businesses and offices in the county to take steps to reduce their own energy costs while helping the environment by cutting carbon emissions.

The competition officially begins in January for the businesses that signed on to play the eco-friendly game. At the end of the year-long Game, two prizes will be awarded: one to a property manager and one to an office tenant.

Winning will be based on companies that show the greatest improvement in areas such as energy, water use, waste disposal and environmentally friendly transportation.

Arlington County’s Fresh AIRE Program organized the business sport. Experts were on hand to give tips and tricks for businesses pledging to go green.

The Washington Examiner reported that Sarah O’Connell, who helped design the program said, “The biggest thing we’re trying to educate the business community about is the cost-saving potential that comes along with things like energy efficiency that can help control their bottom line.”  

Some of the nuts and bolts of the Green Games: Each business will get an analysis from AIRE on their current environmental state.  Then AIRE will  provide a list of actions to improve their score.  During the next year, Arlington officials will get involved with the companies, providing training and technical assistance.

Arlington modeled the Green Games after a successful program in ChicagoThe Washington Examiner reported reports that the plan in Arlington is for the  Green Games to expand to include homeowners and small businesses in the future.

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