Santa Monica Launches Green Business Certification Program

Santa Monica will celebrate the launch of its Green Business Certification Program on Wednesday, October 25 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Library Ale House, located at 2911 Main Street in Santa Monica. A capacity crowd is expected to attend this invitation only event, signaling a very enthusiastic reception within the community.

The Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program is a collaborative project of the City of Santa Monica, Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sustainable Works to certify and recognize green businesses in our community.

Many businesses in Santa Monica have taken steps to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations and have improved their performance, but until now, customers generally had no way of knowing which were going "green.”

Now, any Santa Monica business can join the growing number of business leaders, which are helping our local economy, environment and quality of life.

“The City of Santa Monica has been supporting green businesses for over a decade beginning with the introduction of the Sustainable Quality Awards in 1995," said Dean Kubani, Manager of Santa Monica’s Environmental Programs Division. "The Green Business Certification Program is the next logical step.”

To obtain certification, businesses must conduct resource use assessments for energy, water and waste materials and pay a small fee for the required onsite verification visit.

In addition, they must implement a minimum number of green business practices in the areas of purchasing, solid waste and recycling, energy efficiency, water efficiency, pollution prevention and transportation.

“One of the most practical aspects of this program is the freedom businesses have to select from a ‘laundry list’ of measures that make the most sense for their operation,” said Susy Holyhead, Sustainable Works’ Green Business Certification Program Coordinator.

Another benefit of the checklist is that it enables businesses to identify additional opportunities for using energy, water and materials more efficiently and improving the health of their employees, customers and the community.

Upon certification, businesses receive a GBC window decal, and they may use the GBC logo on promotional materials. They also receive recognition as a green business through a generous marketing benefits package.

Certified businesses will be easily identified by displaying the official Green Business Certification decal at their business and by using the logo in their printed materials and website.

Santa Monica was inspired by the success of a similar, long-running program in the Bay Area. The Bay Area Green Business Program has been an effective means of promoting local businesses that reduce pollution, protect the environment and public health, and make a positive contribution to their community.

To learn more about Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification Program, please visit: www.smgbc.org.