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Santa Monica launches green business certification program

Santa Monica recently launched its Green Business Certification Program in October. As collaboration between the City of Santa Monica, Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau and local non-profit, Sustainable Works, the program certifies and recognizes green businesses in our community.

Many businesses in Santa Monica have taken steps to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations and improve their performance, but until now, consumers generally had no way of knowing which companies were going "green.” Now, consumers can look for the Green Business Certification sign displayed at local businesses. The decal lets consumers know that the business has made a commitment to support the local economy, conserve resources and protect environmental and public health.

To obtain certification, businesses must conduct resource use assessments for energy, water and waste materials. 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.

This holiday season, you can make a difference by shopping at the six businesses that achieved Santa Monica Green Business Certification in 2006:

Get ready for winter sports at Patagonia; www.patagonia.com
Get an eco-chic room at The Ambrose; www.ambrosehotel.com
Find natural foods at Co-Opportunity; www.coopportunity.com
Grab a drink and dinner at the Library Alehouse; www.libraryalehouse.com
Get something to eat at Euphoria Loves RAWvolution; www.euphoriacompany.com
Find the future of transportation at Gladstein, Neandross & Associates; www.gladstein.org

Santa Monica businesses are joining the growing number of business leaders who are helping our local economy, environment and quality of life. Dean Kubani, Manager of Santa Monica’s Environmental Programs Division, notes, “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. The Green Business Certification Program is the next logical step.”

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

If you would like to include this article in your newsletter, please e-mail Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Account Executive, Matt Henigan, at HENIGAN_MATT@smc.edu or call 310.458.8716 x2.