In past articles I’ve criticized the lame attempts by big companies pandering to environmentally conscious consumers – but here’s exactly what I’ve suggested the solution is: Local communities and businesses taking on the issue and raising awareness right in their own backyards.

This post is a week late, since the Fort Collin’s Green Dining Week is wrapping up this weekend, but I wanted to recognize local businesses contributing to a citywide “green” idea. All this week and weekend select establishments are contributing eight percent of their daily revenue to the Fort ZED project, which aims to create a net zero energy footprint in the downtown and Colorado State University area.

Downtown Fort Collins.com has a list of participating restaurants which include old town favorite Coopersmith’s Pub and much loved fondue place The Melting Pot.