Monterey Bay offers a Green Business Program, which is a multimedia (soil, air and water) pollution prevention system that creates positive relations between the public, business and government. It is an incentive-based program designed to encourage companies to meet or exceed environmental standards.
The Green Business program is proud to recognize businesses that are leading their way in the field of the environment in the Monterey Bay area. Recognizing their good work in the area, it allows other businesses to follow their lead. The Green Business Program wants to show businesses that they can be both green and profitable, and good members of our communities.
To be certified green, participating companies must comply with regulatory authorities and meet programmatic criteria for conserving resources, prevent pollution and minimize waste. Their program is designed to help, recognize and promote enterprises that decide to manage their business in a more environmentally responsible manner. The Monterey Bay business program wants to encourage and pave the way for more companies to turn green.
The program was launched in 2003. It currently provides assistance and certification for vehicles and restaurants. In the near future, the program will install its kits to assist and certify printers, hotels, landscapers, dry cleaners and wineries in the Santa Cruz area.
In 2004, on Earth Day, partners in the program presented the first Green Business Awards to seven local car dealerships in the launch ceremony of the Supervisory Board for the Santa Cruz Council.
Some of the local agencies involved in Green Business Programs include the sanitation area, municipal recycling and solid waste, environmental health services, the city of Santa Cruz, the wastewater treatment plant of the Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Sockel Creek-Water District and the Pajaro Valley Water Authority.
If your business or one that, as you know, wants to have a part of this program, you can contact the Green Business Program Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito, and they will be happy to help you answer all your questions and help you get started work turning your company into a "green business".
