It appears the city of Provo’s stand-out color is green. It is the goal of businesses and individuals to attain a green standard. When it’s right, the city make a point to honor their achievements.

Such is the case with one of the city’s favorite local eateries – Guru’s. On Wednesday, the Provo Sustainability and Natural Resources Committee honored Guru’s Café with its Green Business Award.

The Green Business Award was founded in 2020 to recognize outstanding businesses and owners for their proactive efforts to make a positive impact on our community and environment, according to Nicole Martin, director of communications and city spokesperson.

“Only one other business has qualified for the highest award,” said Rick Cox, business liaison for the volunteer committee giving the award. “Guru’s has made sustainable and resilient choices that not only improve our city, but are also smart business decisions. Dean Judd (owner) and his team serve as an ideal example of businesses implementing great ideas to preserve resources.”

Judd was excited for the opportunity to apply for the Provo City Sustainability Award because their restaurant mission has been simple — to be conscious of the world.

“When this opportunity arose, we realized we had made sustainable efforts for many years. In following our mission, Guru’s has naturally been finding daily ways to reduce our carbon footprint,” Judd said. “Dishes are sanitized with a hot water booster, rather than chemicals disrupting the water system, bio-degradable to-go boxes have been the standard for more than 15 years, and a few years ago we replaced paper napkins with cloth.”

He is confident their sustainability efforts are a wise business decision in the long run. “While some of these initiatives come with a cost, being sustainable means operating more efficiently, reducing waste and ultimately operating with more profitability,” Judd said.

The Green Business Awards are a visible way to honor those who are helping the Provo community improve in its defined Three Pillars of Sustainability. The three pillars being social, financial and environmental health.

“Lots of people do incredible work in these individual areas, but it’s rare to find one who does all three. Guru’s is an incredible example of a business that puts in the extra work to take care of people and the planet while turning a profit,” said Hannah Salz, Provo City’s sustainability coordinator.

Keith Morey, Provo City’s assistant director of development services called the recognition a reflection of the way Judd does business. Guru’s Cafe has four locations. In addition to the flagship location on Center Street are spots at the Provo Airport, Utah Valley University and Orem Midtown 360.

“Guru’s is an exceptional example of our exceptional community with their commitment to the environment and our community with their downtown Provo and their new satellite location at the new Provo Airport terminal,” Morey said.

Previous winners, at various levels, include:

• Lakeview Car Wash (Honors Level)
• Fort Laundry (Honors Level)
• Utah Safety Emission (Honors Level)
• Mozz (Mayor’s Award Level)
• NuSkin (Maximum Green Level)
• Guru’s (Maximum Green Level).

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