(Fredericksburg, VA) September 16, 2026 – The City of Fredericksburg Clean & Green
Commission is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Sustainability Awards, celebrating
downtown businesses and restaurants that are putting sustainability into practice while
contributing to a vibrant Fredericksburg community.
Now in its sixth year, the Sustainability Award program highlights the many ways environmental
stewardship can become part of everyday business operations. This year’s honorees
demonstrate that sustainability does not take a single form: it can mean reducing waste,
conserving energy and resources, choosing responsible products and suppliers, supporting
local organizations, encouraging reuse, or finding creative ways to make environmentally
conscious choices part of doing business.
The 2026 participants also offered a valuable look at what sustainability means within
Fredericksburg’s business community. Across different industries and business models, their
efforts reflect a shared commitment to thoughtful resource use, strong community connections,
and continued improvement.
2026 Sustainability Award Recipients
Fredericksburg Technology
Fredericksburg Technology combines technology services with a strong commitment to
community and environmental responsibility. Its sustainability efforts include energy-efficient
operations, responsible purchasing, recycling and waste reduction, and a free e-waste recycling
service available to clients and, when capacity allows, members of the public. After moving to its
Frederick Street office in 2025, the company has also benefited from greater natural light and
improved energy efficiency.
Riverby Books
For 30 years, Riverby Books has given books a second life by buying and selling an entirely
secondhand inventory sourced from the community. Beyond its inherently circular business
model, Riverby uses energy-efficient practices, recycles and monitors waste, encourages
reusable items, and supports local artists, writers, schools, nonprofits, and other community
organizations throughout Fredericksburg.
Feral Roots Conservatory
Feral Roots Conservatory, formerly Blue Sage Massage Studio, approaches sustainability
through what its owner describes as “ritual ecology”—recognizing that business choices exist
within a larger living system. Through low-waste creative practices, locally and ethically sourced
materials, reusable and refillable products, and nature-centered experiences such as forest
therapy walks and sound healing, Feral Roots connects environmental stewardship with
individual and community well-being.
Phosphene Studio
Phosphene Studio promotes conscious consumerism through a carefully curated collection of
slow-fashion clothing, accessories, and home goods from independent designers and makers.
Sustainability informs decisions throughout the business, from selecting brands based on ethical
and responsible production practices to reducing packaging waste, using environmentally
conscious products, and creating workshops, pop-ups, and other events that strengthen
community connections.
Collage Spa
Collage Spa integrates sustainability throughout its personalized approach to wellness and the
healing arts. The spa uses energy- and water-efficient practices, digital systems to reduce paper
waste, refillable and environmentally conscious products, and local or ethical suppliers while
also partnering with other Fredericksburg businesses and supporting local nonprofits.
River Rock Outfitter
River Rock Outfitter views sustainability as an operating philosophy rooted in environmental
stewardship, education, and what the business calls “progress over perfection.” Its Re-Boot
consignment program keeps outdoor gear and apparel in circulation while making quality
equipment more accessible, with unsold items supporting the FXBG Free Closet; River Rock
also partners with organizations including Friends of the Rappahannock and Project Healing
Waters and provides workshops and programming that connect the community with the
outdoors.
Dragonfly Yoga Studio
A locally owned Fredericksburg business since 2013, Dragonfly Yoga Studio pairs accessible
wellness programming with a philosophy that small environmental changes can have a
significant collective impact. The studio has adopted energy- and water-efficient practices,
reusable drinkware, responsible purchasing and low-waste operations while supporting
organizations including Downtown Greens, Friends of the Rappahannock, FXBG Pride, and I
Support the Girls Fredericksburg.
Latitudes Fair Trade
Latitudes Fair Trade places social and environmental sustainability at the center of its business
model, with approximately 95% of its products sourced through fair trade. Its handmade goods
emphasize recycled and upcycled materials, environmentally responsible processes, fair wages,
and safe working conditions, while the business also recycles shipping materials and supports
local nonprofits and schools throughout the year.
Fillagreen
Fillagreen was founded to make lower-waste living practical, approachable, and free from the
pressure of perfection. Customers can refill household and personal-care products using their
own containers, while Fillagreen also provides specialty recycling collection, hosts free
community swaps, works with organizations including the University of Mary Washington and
Friends of the Rappahannock, and prioritizes responsible products and closed-loop or
reduced-waste packaging.
FOODE
Since opening in Downtown Fredericksburg in 2011, FOODE has built its mission around
making all-natural and organic food accessible while creating a welcoming place for the
community. Its sustainability practices include local and seasonal sourcing, vegetarian and
plant-based options, repurposing ingredients, surplus-food donation, waste audits, compostable
takeout materials, reusable dine-in service, responsible purchasing, and used cooking oil
recycling, alongside partnerships with organizations including No Kid Hungry, Micah Ministries,
FAM, and DarPro’s Used Cooking Oil Recycling Program.
Sustainability in Fredericksburg
Together, the 2026 award recipients demonstrate how local businesses can make a meaningful
difference through choices both large and small. Their efforts strengthen a culture in which
environmental responsibility, community stewardship, and a thriving local economy can reinforce
one another.
The Clean & Green Commission congratulates this year’s recipients and thanks them for
sharing their work with the community. By recognizing businesses already taking action, the
Commission hopes to celebrate their accomplishments, encourage continued progress, and
inspire more sustainable practices throughout Fredericksburg.