Environmental Values at Work

The Green Business Program recognizes businesses that:
  • Comply with all environmental regulations
  • Take steps to conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, and reduce waste.
A Green Business...

  • Is recognized as an environmental leader
  • Strengthens its bottom line through operating efficiencies
  • Improves employee morale & the health of the workplace
  • Holds a marketing edge over the competition

Green Businesses receive recognition through:
  • The Green Business Program website: www.greenbiz.abag.ca.gov
  • City and agency newsletters
  • Press coverage, promotional events and special recognition
  • Window decals, certificates and promotional materials for your business
  • Green Business logo to use in your advertising

Get recognized for being Green—sign up to become a Green Business today!

What do I have to do?

  • Contact the Green Business Program Coordinator in your county

    Businesses receive advice and technical assistance at no cost from the Green Business Program coordinators and their public agency/utility partners. If you are seeking Green Business Program recognition, contact your county coordinator to learn more about the Green Business Standards, what it takes to become a Green Business and to apply.


A variety of organizations in the Bay Area are working to conserve energy, reduce pollution and waste, and help businesses make their operations more environmentally friendly. To learn more, visit our Green Resources page.

  • Comply with applicable environmental regulations

    Staff will work with your business and local agencies to verify that you are complying with any applicable environmental regulations. This could include site visits from wastewater, storm water, hazardous materials/waste, and air quality regulators, depending on your business type. We will provide technical assistance to ensure your business is in compliance.

  • Use Green Business checklist to select and record measures to conserve resources and prevent pollution.

    Some actions businesses take include:

    • buying only recycled-content paper and copying double-sided
    • cleaning with less toxic products
    • using efficient lighting systems to save energy
    • conserving water with low-flow toilets and faucet aerators

    You may already be doing enough to qualify. Staff from PG&E, your water company and others will visit your business to verify what you're doing to meet the Green Business Program standards.

  • Pledge to stay Green


Note: Independent consultants and non-profit organizations offer coaching and assitance to businesses seeking to improve their environmental performance. These consultants can help you identify and implement environmentally responsible measures, but can't officially verify that you have met the standards and achieved Green Business status. The Green Business Program is not affiliated with any coaches or consultants.

Businesses Served

The Bay Area Green Business Program serves small- to medium-sized consumer-oriented businesses located in the nine Bay Area counties. We currently have checklists for the following industries: auto services, printing, hotels, restaurants, landscape design and maintenance, remodeling, garment cleaning (using wet cleaning or CO2 systems exclusively), dentists, wineries, and office and retail operations. Other businesses may be eligible. Counties may choose to direct their efforts to particular industries, based on local environmental priorities. Consult with the county coordinator who will enroll you if you are eligible and direct you to other programs if you are not.

Other programs that distinguish environmentally responsible businesses include US EPA Performance Track, LEED, ISO 14001, and StopWaste Partnership (Alameda County). We encourage businesses that we cannot serve to consult those Programs.

If your business or agency is interested in becoming "green", use the links below to learn more:

General Standards
Auto Repair
Hotels
Landscapers
Printers
Remodelers
Restaurants
Wineries

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gra 8/31/07