Greater Yellowstone businesses seeking to green their operations and increase their bottom line can now turn to a leadership program offered by the Yellowstone Business Partnership (YBP).

UnCommon Sense is a sustainability leadership program in its fifth year, with a proven track record for helping businesses save money while contributing to their community's social and environmental well-being.

A combination of workshops in conjunction with back-home implementation truly helps businesses achieve sustainability goals. UnCommon Sense is designed to tackle the often overwhelming topic of sustainability, and offers group and one-on-one support tailored to individual business needs.

"We've saved $10,000 a year in the restaurant by not purchasing disposable stuff. We use all washable, reusable dishes. In the old days, we would go through 50,000 trash bags a year. We've cut it to 5,000. Every employee is responsible for their own trash, and they take it out when necessary - not every day." Paul Brock, Facilities Manager, Buffalo Bill Historical Center

The Billings School District, in comparing 2008 and 2009 utility costs, has seen a savings of 12.35%, or over $360,000.00, and their six-month utility savings from July-December 2009 are 17.55%, over $230,000.00.

Area businesses involved in the UnCommon Sense program include the Billings School District, Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen in Red Lodge, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, and CTA Architects in Billings.

Application period is open through March 15th. Only 20 businesses will be accepted into the next class, starting in April, 2010.

To apply for UnCommon Sense or for more information please contact Heather Burdette at (406) 600-6617 or hburdette@yellowstonebusiness.org, or visit http://www.yellowstonebusiness.org/our_programs/sustainability.

The Yellowstone Business Partnership (YBP) is the only tri-state organization working to resolve the major cross-boundary challenges facing communities in the Yellowstone-Teton region. We believe that to achieve long-term profitability in this special place, businesses must fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities, and care for the region as a whole. For more information about YBP and our Sustainability Programs, visit http://www.yellowstonebusiness.org