Sustainable Running Tour of Downtown Seattle with Seattle Run Tours

June 20, 2010

Style Sheet

Learn more about how to “look fabulous, live well, and do good…”

Barney’s  NY | In 2007 Barneys going green was huge news. They have the power to ask designers for eco-friendly products, and they are using it. “Join the Green Revolution, we have,” they exclaim. Many designers have used Barney’s as their entrée into the world of sustainability by introducing their “green” lines. From Stella McCartney to Phillip Lim & Loomstate, Barney’s has led the way for designers to showcase how they choose to make a difference through sustainability.

Mario’s | Mario’s, a northwest family owned business, brings high quality products to the Northwest and presents customers with a wide selection of men and women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. In addition to emphasizing client relationships and customer service, Mario’s also focuses on offering quality fashions from eco-friendly designers. Zegna and Edun are among the Mario’s lines that emphasize social and environmental responsibility. The local jewelry designer Toby Pomeroy, who uses 100% recycled gold and silver for his designs, along with the AG denim brand, which offers an eco- jean made with ozone technology that utilizes less water, chemicals, and energy, are just a few more of the many environmentally conscious designers Mario’s works with.

Butch Blum | Butch Blum was one of the first retailers to introduce European designers to Seattle and maintains its leadership through the newly remodeled store that is LEED certified and by carrying premiere sustainable lines such as Stella McCartney, Armani, and the “green” denim line Agave. Almost 100% of Butch Blum’s stock is made from fabric sources that maintain clean water and organic compounds in their finishing processes. Whether it’s offering free hand delivery throughout Downtown Seattle, using recycled materials for its bags, or encouraging customers to use an eco friendly dry cleaning service, Butch Blum is constantly seeking out ways to remain on the cutting edge of sustainability.

Seattle City Hall | The actual building is LEED GOLD certified and served as a national leader doing so for a public building while planning in the 1990’s. The City of Seattle set three criteria for the new home of city government: it should be open and welcoming to serve as a gathering place for citizens; it should exemplify sustainability and a respect for the environment; it should be permanent and lasting, serving its users for at least one hundred years.

The Finerie | As a local Seattle boutique, The Finerie stands out. Not only for carrying amazing fashion, but also for carrying small, boutique  and national designers dedicated to sustainability such as Abi Ferrin and Abigal Glaum Lathbury. The retailer also carries local clothing and accessory designers and for these reasons alone, is recognized for being sustainable. Beyond that, the retailer gives to community non-profits whenever possible.

106 Pine | Featuring northwest wines and regional food, this new addition to the market scene is devoted to the community and is a stylish stop to taste wine anytime.

SAM Olympic Sculpture Park | The Olympic Sculpture Park has transformed a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

| Our Sponsors  |

Brooks| Brooks Sports made history this spring with its introduction of the Green Silence: a groundbreaking minimalist running shoe made of 75% post-consumer recycled materials. Some of the recycled materials used to create this shoe are polyester leisure suits, sofas, CDs, and more. Using these materials, Brooks has been able to cut down on energy and resources by constructing a shoe with half as many parts as the traditional running shoe. This coming fall, Brooks will continue down the path of sustainability, releasing a more stylish version of the shoe for men and women.

Bakon Vodka | A northwest based distillery, BAKON Vodka they start their process with a superior quality potato vodka. Distilled in Idaho from potatoes, it is smooth, slightly sweet with the well-rounded flavor that you only get from a quality potato distillation, with no strong burn or aftertaste. Our vodka is column-distilled using a single heating process that doesn’t “bruise” the alcohol like the multiple heating cycles needed to make typical pot-still vodka.

Alki Bakery | Alki Bakery has been family owned and operated since its beginning on Seattle’s Alki Beach in 1985. Our award winning bakery cafe has grown to three retail cafés and a wholesale division that serves the Western Washington’s finer hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, grocers and supermarkets with fresh baked breads, pastries, desserts and savories.

| Other Downtown Seattle Sustainable Places to check out |

• H& M | Creates & Manufactures sustainable products, as well as, are involved in the community at a baseline and effective level
• American Apparel | One the leaders in organic and sustainable manufacturing. Single handedly help shift style in the early 2000’s.
• Eileen Fisher | Eileen Fisher was one of the first companies to sign the SA8000 social compliance agreement and regularly carries a series of clothing in her collection made of organic cotton.
• Niketown | Nike continues to lead the industry in phasing out PVC, reducing waste and water use, using recycled materials.
• Levis | Levis currently has an organic cotton jean and spends much of its corporate efforts leading the way in corporate and social responsibility.
• Office Depot | Among many recycled content products, now offers sustainable versions of the classic 3-ring’view’ binder, that is completely biodegradable
• Bed, Bath & Beyond | Offers many products made from bamboo
• Peter Miller Books | Peter Millers stocks many books on sustainable architecture and other source great art accessories with a sustainability story.
• TASTE Café | At Taste, they work hard to provide food that is local, fresh and seasonal. They believe that they must take a stand on many issues surrounding our food supply. They understand that the effects of our choices extend well beyond the walls of our kitchens.
• Beechers | At Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, we care deeply about the health, well-being and culinary delight of our customers.  We share a passion for – and commitment to – a philosophy of wholesome nutrition.
• The Tasting Room | The Tasting Room Seattle, Washington’s first cooperative tasting cellar, features some of our state’s best artisan and hard-to-find wines.
• Mistral Kitchen | “While we look to our own back yard for fresh, organic produce, dairy and seafood. We like our meat and fish to come to us healthy and whole.” Says Belickis, “Every cook we hire quickly becomes familiar with the boning knife, meat slicer and band saw we keep in the back.” Buying whole animals whenever possible from growers we trust allows us strict control over what we serve our guests. “We don’t want strange people or machines touching our food before it gets to us.” Steaks and chops are often cut to order.
• ACE Hotel – SEA | This hip hotel “chain” is sustainable whenever possible. From offering sustainable products in their rooms and bike rentals, to partnering with seriously sustainable foodies and building their latest hotel in Palm Springs sustainably. This is the first of their very awesome hotels across the country and is special in that it is located in a repurposed building.
• Khulman | Scott Khulman offers bespoke wear for men. Very sustainable.
• Macrina Bakery | The philosophy of the bakery is to enhance both the natural products and the flavor of the various grains. The baked goods are created from Northwest apples, potatoes, cranberries and hazelnuts, as well as wheat, rye, barley and buckwheat flour.
• Chartreuse | Chartreuse offers new and used vintage modern furniture and accessories.