Sustainable Business Program: FAQs
Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations (source: www.epa.gov).
The Sustainable Business (SB) certification is sponsored through BERC and partners and is free to the business to apply and certify. There are six sustainable categories the business can certify in. The business can certify in multiple categories. The SB criteria differs for each Sustainable Business category. The goal is to demonstrate how small sustainable changes can make a big environmental impact. Making the SB program attainable for many different businesses. Each checklist has a minimum selected measures to meet. Complete the application for any or all categories.
The categories are:
- Water Conservation
- Pollution Prevention
- Water Conservation
- Energy Conservation *rebates/incentives maybe available from local utilities company
- Solid Waste Reduction
- Green Building
- Transportation and Air Quality
Sustainable Business Online Application
For any questions about becoming a Sustainable Business; contact Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) at 916-874-2100.
Many community members consider sustainable business efforts as positively impactful and support these initiatives.
Free Business Promotion:
- Double-sided window decal and 8.5x11 inch certification provided to display in your business
- Advertisement and promotion through website, social media, Sustainable Business newsletter and publication list
- Certification and display encourages sustainably conscious customer patronage
Business cost savings:
- Conserving water, energy, transportation, recycling, air quality could lead to secondary cost savings
Nomination and awards ceremony:
- Meet city and county leaders by attending the annual Sustainable Business awards ceremony
- Few businesses will be nominated for exemplary work in sustainable efforts
Application can be submitted electronically. For any assistance contact the SB coordinator at 916-874-2100. The application will be reviewed by the SB coordinator and followed up for a site visit. Once the site visit is completed and checked off, the SB coordinator will issue the certification and decal. The certification must be renewed bi-annually to remain valid.
The current Sustainable Business list is updated quarterly. Sustainable Business Directory.
- Building Permits and Inspection-Sacramento County
- Department of Airports-Sacramento County
- Department of Waste Management and Recycling-Sacramento County
- Environmental Management Department-Sacramento County
- Planning and Environmental Review-Sacramento County
- Regional Sanitation District-Sacramento County
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Sacramento Municipal Utility District
- Sacramento Stormwater Utility District