Eight Durango businesses working to be more environment friendly in their operations recently received “green business” certifications.

Three establishments received the platinum status, the highest status possible, while four received the gold status and one received the silver status, according to a news release from the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, also known as 4CORE.

Columbine Landscaping Co., a women-owned garden service company that designs rain gardens to take water from hardscapes underground, received platinum status after owner Eva Montane made minimal upgrades to her home office. Durango Outdoor Exchange received platinum status after creating an energy conservation plan and a waste-cutting purchasing plan. Desert Sun Coffee Roasters received platinum status by supporting research methods that are plant and land friendly.

Dorothy Parker Design achieved gold status by encouraging clients to convert to electric and by helping them make decisions about sustainable furnishings, flooring and wall coverings, while Phoenix Physical Therapy achieved gold status by installing things such as programmable thermostats and power strips.

Manna soup kitchen also achieved gold status because its resource center has installed solar and other sustainable attributes and also planted drought-tolerant greenery and pollinator plants. The Sweaty Buddha Hot Yoga achieved gold status by making its studio more energy efficient, from adding LED lights to eco-friendly products and cleaning supplies.

Sage Fresh Eats received silver status after purchasing items like bamboo or recycled paper supplies, as well as donating its expired produce and food waste to an area rancher for them to feed their pigs.

For more information, visit fourcore.org.