Image courtesy Anselm Doerling/EcoLogic Solutions
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There are great green leaders who are just beginning to dip their toes into the world of green, and then there are those who have waded in the water, seeing the movement in all of its waves and lulls. Like Anselm Doering, founder of EcoLogic Solutions, a company offering environmentally sound cleaning solutions and consulting to big businesses around the world including Disney worldwide, Whole Foods, Mandarin Oriental hotels, Sundance, Con Edison, Grand Teton National Park as well as leading restaurants in the country including Mario Batali, Le Pain Quotidien and the French Culinary Institute—to just name a few.
But Anselm didn't get there overnight. After completing a degree in hospitality business management, he piled up experience in the hotel, restaurant and entertainment industries. In 1992, he launched his first eco-venture called Earth General—a green retail store that won the acclaim of high profile media like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and CNN.
Today, you'll find the busy eco-bee out and about on his bike, running business, forging partnerships and trying to green his home city—New York. He's currently the founding member and vice-chair of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's Green Committee where he's testified on behalf of New York City and New York State regarding environmental bills. Most recently, Anselm has pitched the city's mayor's office to expand a city owned, vacant warehouse space to create 25 new clean tech jobs within one year and "green" the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
Such ambitious green schemes leave little time for leisure, but somehow among it all, Anselm manages to fit in one of his favorite hobbies of all: time with his children Finn and Isola.
How did you get into this line of work?
During the last grassroots Green Movement in 1991 my brother had an idea for an eco-general store, Earth General. I helped open it and build the concept to two stores, purchasing from 100 different "green" vendors.
When did the green bug strike?
Eight years ago, I walked into a rest-stop restroom and was greeted by a large poster saying, "Proud to be cleaned by Lysol, sponsored by Host Marriott" and the nickel fell: to introduce environmentally preferable chemicals to mass consuming operations that they could truly be proud about.
Who is your green hero?
My parents. By taking us to national or state parks every year as children and demanding that we leave the site cleaner than the way we found it. This combined with them bringing Native American culture into our home laid my foundation.
What is your ultimate green goal?
Zero-waste packaging for my company. And for all manufacturers and retailers to figure out better designs to make this possible. In my view, our greatest impact to the environment would be to consume less. Our packaging and "throw-away society" mentality can improve and address this in a significant way.
What is your motivation?
There's a lot of work to do and an unlimited opportunity right now to grow as a company to inform, educate and influence the masses.
What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
Education. Most people are simply uninformed about what they can do to make a difference or are unaware of the impact of their decisions or practices.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Patience. We have an expression in the office, "The Four P's": patience, persistence, perseverance and...don't be a pest!
What is the most rewarding?
Touching executives, individuals or end-users that "get it." If they get it and become more informed, they usually undergo an exciting transformation. They have this new glint in their eye and become obviously impassioned about greening their own practices. They have become green brainwashed, or what I like to jokingly call, Greenwashed—in the right way, of course!
Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
The NY City Industries for the Blind. The third party operation creates jobs for the visually impaired and walking through their facilities is an awe-inspiring and truly a moving experience. The floor plan is laid out and designed to make the space functional, energy-efficient and cost saving.
What green thing do you do everyday?
I walk to work with my two rescued dogs.
What do you wish you could do?
Get everyone in government, city, state, federal or even the political factions of institutions to work better together and become more efficient in decision making. This would save an incredible amount of time, energy and money, and hasten the ability of any operation to reduce their environmental impact.
What is your biggest eco-sin?
Buying the newspaper once or twice per week so I can read while travelling in places I have no internet connection.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
To make educators the highest paid profession in the world.
What is your best green advice?
After this, what I call the necessary "forest fire" of an economic upheaval, there were many businesses—good and bad—that got burned and/or perished. After a forest fire, the forest comes back stronger and more fertile. There is more opportunity in the green marketplace than I have ever experienced in 18 years. The forest is filled with opportunity right now for new environmentally responsible business ideas and this will restructure the landscape, alter “business as usual” and make us smarter as a human race.
Change Makers is a series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.
More on Green Cleaning:
Meet Jeffrey Hollender, CEO Seventh Generation
Buy Green: Cleaning Supplies
How to Go Green: Cleaning
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