Mountain Rose Herbs Wins Co-Op America's People's Choice Award for 2008 Green Business of the Year

Company Committed to Clean Transportation, Fair Trade, Zero Waste, 100 Percent Organic; Over 6,000 Ballots Submitted By Consumers Across the United States.

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - November 12, 2008 - Eugene, OR-based Mountain Rose Herbs is being named today as the People's Choice for Green Business of the Year from Co-op America. The award will be made formally this Friday at the San Francisco Green Festival(TM).

Since 1987,

Mountain Rose Herbs has focused on delivering exceptional quality certified organic products with a strict emphasis on sustainable agriculture. Mountain Rose Herbs, which employs 60 people, produces only about 80 gallons of waste each month, the equivalent of an average four-person household. They are working toward a goal of zero waste. Additionally, the company is working to protect our environment, support the local economy, and move America towards more sustainable transportation in this country by having their commercial fleet of trucks runs on 100 percent locally produced biodiesel, made from waste vegetable oil, one of the cleanest modes of transportation available.

Thousands of consumers nationwide took part in a Co-op America online questionnaire to select their favorite green businesses. Based on 6,277 ballots submitted by consumers across the U.S., the top-10 finalists for the most popular environmentally-friendly business were: AlterEco, San Francisco, CA.; Babyworks, Portland, OR.; Frontier Natural Products, Norway, IA.; GAIAM, Boulder, Co.; Kate's Caring Gifts, Fremont, CA.; Mountains of the Moon, Chicago, IL.; Mountain Rose Herbs, Eugene, OR.; Pizza Fusion, Fort Lauderdale, FL.; We Add Up, Mentor, OR.; and West Paw Design; Bozeman, MT.

"We were thrilled by the tremendous interest of environmentally and socially conscious consumers across the country in voting for their favorite green businesses," said Co-op America Corporate Responsibility Programs Director Todd Larsen. "We're pleased to announce that green consumers awarded the prize this year to Mountain Rose Herbs, which is focused on maintaining eco-friendly practices not only in their production but also in their shipping and office operations. Their green and sustainable practices are truly a model for other companies."

Mountain Rose Herbs Operations Manager and Director of Quality Control Shawn Donnille said: "The environmental ideals and practices incorporated by this company are an accurate reflection of the principles that all of us adopt in our personal lives. None of this would be possible without the enthusiasm and commitment exercised by each employee, and we could not do it without them."

Mountain Rose is committed to being 100 percent organic, and has been since 2001, when they decreed that no conventionally grown materials would enter their warehouse again. They are also committed to their sourcing, which means providing quality green products to their customers, as well as protecting workers all along the supply chain. They are also one of the only companies in the US to carry Fair Trade Certified(TM) herbs, which guarantee that workers at the beginning of the supply chain receive a living wage and work under fair conditions. They also offer other Fair Trade items in their product line.

Mountain Rose Herbs uses 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper in their catalog, post-consumer recycled packaging for shipping orders, and uses office supplies, including paper clips and push-pins that are made with recycled content. They also power their building on 100-percent renewable energy, use energy-efficient computers, and only use green, natural, and biodegradable cleaning products inside their facility.


ABOUT CO-OP AMERICA

Co-op America is the leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Co-op America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. Co-op America's green economy programs encourage corporate responsibility, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses.

To receive Co-op America's popular publications, including Real Money and the National Green Pages, participate in Co-op America's Green Business Conferences or Green Festivals, or to get its free e-newsletter, providing the latest green news, green discounts and opportunities to take action for a green economy, visit http://www.coopamerica.org, email info@coopamerica.org, or call at 800-58-GREEN.



--> For more information please contact:
Ailis Aaron Wolf(703) 276-3265

For more CSR news and information from this organization:
Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Co-op America


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