News-Record.com

The mango-banana smoothie was right on target. And the relaxed bohemian atmosphere made me want to kick off my shoes and settle in with a good book. But what really drew me to the Juice Gallery on West Market Street was owner Gael McAllister's declaration that she planned to go carbon neutral by the end of 2009.

McAllister, who opened the shop in March, has already tackled the low-hanging fruit when it comes to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency: a recycling can for customers, conservative use of the heating and cooling systems, compact fluorescent bulbs in the lamps, organic fair trade coffee, and corn-based cups that claim to biodegrade in 40 days. She said she next plans to start a community compost bin behind the shop and purchase carbon offsets from a credible company to cover the energy she does use.

"I didn't want to do it because it's trendy," said McAllister, a Greensboro native. "I want to do it because it's a good idea."

McAllister acknowledges that she doesn't carry the baggage that large, established companies and corporations might have when it comes to going green. She is the sole proprietor and began the transition early on. But she does pay a premium -- about 13 cents per cup -- for the bioplastics.

"That's the one thing about going green," she said. "You've really got to want to do it because in some small ways it will affect your bottom line."

Still, she sees her commitment as a part of a community-wide goal to become more sustainable and she hopes to engage in some friendly competition with local businesses, she said.

Anybody game?