Earlier this year, the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2020 Community Service Awards. The annual awards recognize deserving individuals, groups, and businesses that have demonstrated excellence and community leadership in business, volunteer activities, and achievement within the Pleasanton community. The 2020 Chamber of Commerce award for Green Business, an annual award for businesses that promote sustainable environmental business practices throughout their organization, went to East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).

EBRPD, which has an office at Hacienda, is more than a Chamber of Commerce award winner. It is also a part of the California Green Business Network as a Certified Green Business. Several other Hacienda organizations are also Certified Green Businesses, including financial consultancy Bregante + Company; marketing collateral, printing, packaging, and promotional products company ImageX; and the Hacienda Owners Association. All of these organizations have discovered the benefits of becoming a Certified Green Business and joining the California Green Business Network.

The Green Business Difference

The California Green Business Program is a network of local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California, including Alameda County. Alameda County's Green Business Program may have certified more green businesses than any other government agency, according to Carolina Miranda, Green Business Consultant for the Alameda County Green Business Program, which has certified more than 400 organizations of all types. Virtually any type of organization can become a Certified Green Business in nearly any industry, from hotels and restaurants to landscape design and maintenance to dentistry to wine and much more.

The program is funded by grass-roots contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small to medium sized businesses in California. Businesses that apply to the program receive personal attention from the public agencies and utilities that serve them to help businesses qualify for the program. In some cases, that may include rebates for upgrading equipment or business processes to qualify as a Certified Green Business. Certified Green Businesses exceed all applicable environmental regulations and implement specific practices to reduce pollution, save water and energy, and protect human health.

In 2019 alone, California's more than 4,000 Certified Green Businesses made a sizable impact on the state's environment by reducing greenhouse gases by 422,000 tons, according to the California Green Business Network. That is the equivalent of planting 427,262 acres of urban trees. Thanks to the program, 99,000 metric tons of waste were diverted from landfills. Together these companies saved more than 740 million gallons of water and eliminated more than 20,000 gallons of hazardous waste. Moreover, businesses in the program realized $18 million in utility savings.

Certified Green Businesses distinguish themselves from other businesses by introducing or continuing practices that are good for the environment and often good for the company thanks to reduced expenses for energy, water, and garbage disposal. Common practices include reducing water use by upgrading to low-flow toilets and auto-off faucets; conserving energy by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting; promoting more sustainable commute options for employees; diverting waste from landfills through reuse, recycling, and composting; and using non-toxic cleaners.

It is the way an organization runs its business rather than the work it does for its customers that defines it as a Certified Green Business. When it comes to organizational purchases, for example, EBRPD chooses to buy recycled and recyclable products whenever possible. For various projects, it has chosen energy- and water-saving appliances and sustainably harvested and/or sustainably grown materials. As an organization, it keeps rechargeable batteries and chargers in its stock of supplies and encourages staff to use rechargeable batteries over standard batteries.

Similarly, an office-based company might earn a certification as a Green Business partly by following green business standards for recycling and office product purchasing. The company could transition paper-intensive activities into electronic processes, for example, to reduce paper use. If the company needed paper products for collateral materials, it could choose to use 100% recycled material. It could also stop or continue to avoid buying bottled water and disposable cups and other kitchen supplies.

Easy to Apply

There is no fee to participate in the California Green Business Network, which promotes certified businesses on its website and allows them to promote their certification by using the Certified Green Business logo on their websites and in other marketing materials. The process to become certified involves three steps. First, a company owner or executive registers on the California Green Business Network website and applies for the program. Second, staff at the network reviews the application and offers help if needed. After the application process is finished, the network schedules a final evaluation and informs the applicant about potential rebates and free technical assistance. Third, an organization approved as a Certified Green Business creates a profile on the network website to help promote itself.

"Organizations that have taken steps toward operating more environmentally responsible tend to enjoy higher efficiency, a better bottom line, more motivated and healthy employees, and a marketing edge over the competition," according to officials of StopWaste, a public agency governed by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, and the Energy Council. The agency notes that the program requires onsite verification of an organization's environmentally sound practices. Most businesses complete the certification process in two to four months. Green Business case studies done by StopWaste showcase a variety of companies that have benefited from going green. Of course, going green helps more than any individual certified company.

"Going green helps fight climate change, and we must do our part," wrote Josephine Fleming, Executive Director of California Green Business Network and President of Environmental Innovations Inc., in an editorial earlier this year. "There are resources available already. Your local energy provider may offer an assessment of your energy use and help identify opportunities. There are educational resources like Energy Upgrade California, which provide ways to help take action. Our organization has funding and resources to start new programs in new regions of California.

"Now is not the time to wait. There are things you can implement now. Reduce water use with low-flow toilets and auto-off faucets. Use a power strip, a smart thermostat and upgrade your lighting to save energy. Eliminate unnecessary packaging, printing and purchasing. Tune up your heating and cooling unit and change your air filters to make sure equipment is running efficiently. It will save water, energy and money. It is now up to California businesses to go green. It's good for the environment. It's great for businesses. And it's even better for California."

For more information about the California Green Business Network, please visit www.greenbusinessca.org.

For more information about StopWaste and Green Business Certification, please visit www.stopwaste.org/at-work/business-assistance/green-business-certification.

For more information about Energy Upgrade California, please visit www.energyupgradeca.org/smallbusiness.