Rocklands Barbeque wins the Arlington Chamber of Commerce 2022 Best Business Award for Sustainable Business of the Year
The 36th Annual Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Best Business Awards were presented in May and Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company was the recipient of the 2022 Sustainable Business of the Year Award. The Chamber presents awards to area businesses that go above and beyond serving their clients to make Arlington a great place to work and live. The Chamber bestowed the award to Rocklands for not only their ongoing sustainable efforts, but also for their recent installation of solar roof panels at their Arlington restaurant that culminated in the first-ever Arlington Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financed solar project in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. C-PACE is a county-sponsored program that enables owners of commercial and industrial buildings to use private sector money to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water efficiency improvements to their property. In addition to Rocklands Barbeque and C-PACE, this historic event was made possible with the assistance of IPSUN Solar, the contractor that installed the solar array, and the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU), the lender on the project, facilitating the C-PACE loan.
John Snedden, owner of Rocklands Barbeque that opened in 1991, accepted the award stating that “it’s always been a dream of mine, now realized, to power my restaurants with solar and reduce our carbon footprint. The solar PV systems will lower our utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Plus, 100% financing from Arlington C-PACE helped us avoid using cash on hand. That’s the right thing for our business, our customers and our community.”
Sustainability has always been a focus at all Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company restaurants and catering business. Ongoing efforts include conducting energy audits at all locations, using only wood smokers for cooking, recycling and composting daily, offering good clean food (no MSG, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors), aiming for zero food waste, using environmentally friendly packaging and offering compostable straws plates and bowls upon request, purchasing produce from local farmers, and partnering with local companies.
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company has restaurants located in DC, Arlington, and Alexandra, as well as kiosks at Capital One Arena and Nationals Park.
