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Is Your Business a Green Business?

The Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County certifies several different types of businesses for their efforts in waste reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, and pollution prevention, such as using alternative forms of transportation and preventing storm water runoff.

Goals and Objectives

  • To help businesses become more sustainable as well as profitable;
  • To enable businesses in Santa Barbara County to help prevent and reduce the pollution of the air, water, and soil;
  • To reduce consumption of our natural resources and minimize exposure to toxics; and
  • To foster positive relationships among governmental agencies, the business community, and the public.

Eligible Sectors

Currently, businesses in the following sectors are eligible to apply for certification:

  • Office/retail
  • Restaurants
  • Lodging
  • Automotive shops
  • Multi-family properties
  • Breweries
  • Small manufacturers
  • Greek Chapter Houses
  • Organic Farms
  • Landscaping

If your business type isn't on this list, please contact us as we might still be able to certify your business.

Certification Criteria

To achieve certification, an agency must implement certain mandatory measures and a minimum number of voluntary measures in the following areas:

  • Waste reduction and recycling;
  • Environmentally preferable purchasing;
  • Energy conservation;
  • Transportation;
  • Water conservation; and
  • Pollution prevention, including prevention of storm water runoff.

Certification Process

Businesses may apply to become a certified "green" business by enrolling in one of two Green Business Academies held during a year and following this process:

The Program Director serves as a liaison between a business and applicable regulatory agencies:

  • The business will be provided with contact information for local experts who will assist with the certification requirements in each of the required areas;  
  • Available incentives (e.g. rebates) that can save the business money will be discussed;
  • Businesses will also meet other business applicants, and have opportunities to exchange information and to offer support to one another;

Benefits to Certified Businesses

Among the benefits that a business receives by becoming a certified "green" business are the following:

  • Save money by lowering costs and increasing productivity;
  • Receive recognition at the annual GBPSBC Luncheon;
  • Attract new customers through free publicity:
    -- Free advertising in a directory of "green" certified businesses on the GBPSBC website;
    -- A GBPSBC logo for display at the business;
    -- Listings, articles, and other forms of recognition on chambers of commerce and other partner agency websites;
    -- Ads placed by the GBPSBC in print and online publications
    -- Postings on social media, such as Facebook;
  • Serve as a model for other businesses on ways to improve environmental performance;
  • Improve employee morale by ensuring a safer, healthier workplace; and
  • Foster positive relationships with governmental agencies and the public.

A certification lasts three years, and a business must apply again to be recertified for another three years.

To obtain more information about the GBPSBC, visit https://greenbusinessca.org/SantaBarbaraCounty, send an e-mail message to coordinator@greenbizsbc.org or call (805) 729-3472.