In honor of Earth Day – Monday, April 22, we want to celebrate a few of the local businesses already doing their part to help protect our planet. From paper straws and compostable plates to sustainable practices and locally-grown ingredients, there are several environmentally-friendly businesses around Columbia who deserve a little extra love for their efforts.

Learn more about out these 12 eco-friendly businesses around Columbia – and consider paying them a visit on Monday, or any day. Also, take a look at the full list of Green Business Members in both the City of Columbia and Lexington County.

🗑 Eco-friendly Disposables

Curiosity Coffee Bar, 2327 Main St. | 100% compostable consumables.

Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr. | Compostable bowls and utensils, plus on-site recycling.

Gervais and Vine, 620 Gervais St. | Paper straws + pasta stirrers.

Drip Coffee, 729 Saluda Ave. | Paper straws + pasta stirrers.

Bourbon, 1214 Main St. | Paper straws + cardboard to-go boxes

Motor Supply, 920 Gervais St. | Paper straws.

♻ Reducing Energy Usage

City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd. | Organic farm that uses sustainable practices – their greens are grown locally using environmentally-friendly farming, including their microgreens’ greenhouses. The farm also educates the community on local food + stewarding the land.

Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, 500 Wildlife Pkwy. | Tuskers is Green Restaurant Association certified, in addition to the zoo’s safe animal practices – including their no cages or bars commitment + animal conservation programs -- and energy conservation efforts.

116 Espresso, 116 State St. | City of Columbia Green Business – meaning the business has demonstrated a commitment to pollution prevention, waste reduction, and energy + water conservation.

Half Moon Outfitters, 2912 Devine St. | Another City of Columbia Green Business commitment to pollution prevention, waste reduction, and energy + water conservation.

Darla Moore, 1014 Greene St. | LEED Platinum Certified – the highest certification possible from the US Green Building Council for a building dedicated to water efficiency, energy, indoor environmental quality, materials + resources and innovation in design.

Loveland Coffee, 7001 Saint Andrews Rd. | Committed to 1% for the Planet, meaning the business will donate 1% of sales earned in-kind, monetarily or through advertising to environmental organizations. Not to mention being a Lexington County Green Business.

Interested in having your business become a Green Business Member? Find out how, here.