Garten exists to support people with disabilities in their effort to contribute to the community through employment, career and retirement opportunities.
About Us
Sustainability Steering Committee
Garten’s first sustainability “action step” was to create a new staff position in July 2006 called “Sustainability Coordinator”—an individual who would educate and guide Garten employees, partners and customers toward taking intentional steps that advance all our efforts along the continuum toward ever greater sustainability in our practices. —with 31 years’ experience at Garten—was selected to serve as Garten’s first Sustainability Coordinator.
Garten’s Sustainability Steering Committee
Garten’s Sustainability Coordinator convened a pro hoc Sustainability Steering Committee for the specific purpose of accomplishing Garten’s initial SCORE Self-Assessment ("SCORE" = Sustainability Competency & Opportunity Rating and Evaluation), a tool offered by Portland-based Zero Waste Alliance. The SCORE Self-Assessment served as a measurement tool to clarify Garten’s current sustainability standing, while helping clarify what “sustainable” might mean to our future..
Garten’s Sustainability Steering Committee became a pivotal, ongoing team within Garten Services in mid-2007. Our Sustainability Steering Committee consists of 18 individuals who represent all sectors of the organization, from line staff to supervisors to management—as well as representatives from each Garten business division and business.
S.C.O.R.E. Self-Assessment
Assets for Garten to Build Upon:
• A sustainability strategy from our executives.
• A position for a sustainability coordinator.
• A sustainability steering committee.
• Integrating sustainability into core business functions (currently Garten’s Custodial and Garten Recycling Services).
• Integrating social responsibility criteria into selection of Garten’s pension investments.
• Being transparent about any faults to protect the interests of the public and customers.