The San Mateo County Green Business Program

Kim Springer, Jo Fleming, Angela Rocchio, and Sheila Peck

Green Business Coordinators, San Mateo County

Business and Government Working Together for a Better Environment

Agenda

• Introduction– Who’s here– Description of Green Business Program – San Mateo County Green Business Program

• Certification process• Application specifics• Meet your fellow green businesses (small

group breakout)

California Green Business Program1995

2013

We are CAGBP

NOW: • 21 programs• > 2,700 recognized

businesses • ~ 1500 interested

businesses• >50% of CA population

San Mateo County Green Business Program

• Started in 2007• Part of Bay Area Green Business Program

Available in 9 County cities, and unincorporated San Mateo County

• Currently 73 businesses certified, and 148 businesses in process

Where the San Mateo program is now…

• Restarting after 1 ½ years

• High business interest

• Limited County fundsOur solution: “Fast Track” - certify as many businesses as possible, as efficiently as possible

Certification Process

• Registration• Application

– Feel free to email coordinators with questions!

• Audits and Final Walk-through• Certification

Free Promotion!• Green Business online directory at

www.greenbiz.ca.gov or www.RecycleWorks.org

• Printed regional Green Business directory• Local media and events• Electronic logo, window decals, wall

certificate

www.greenbusinessca.org

Log in here with your username and password

Business Application Details Page

Click on sections at left for your pages of measures to complete

Attach documents by clicking on “paperclips” – generally optional

Saving and Submitting

Save each page; click Review and Submit only when finished with the application. It’s okay to exit and go back to it…

Metrics

My Status

My Status

My Status Placeholder

My Company Profile

My Company Profile

My Company Profile Placeholder

My Report Card

My Report Card

My Report Card Placeholder

Printing

Using the Print Filter

Application Specifics

Waste Section

• Purpose: Reduce amount of solid waste going to landfills– Reduce paper use– Reduce packaging– Reuse, recycle, and use products with recycled

content• Lead agency: San Mateo County

Recycleworks• Recycleworks.org

Garbage and Recycling

- Go to Recycleworks.org

- Click on Find Your Garbage Company

- Find information on garbage, recycling, composting, waste audits, signs and more…

“Recyclable” vs. “Recycled Content”

• Recyclable : Made of material that can be reformulated and used again

• Recycled Content: Made at least partially of material that has already been used and recycled

PCW= post-consumer waste

Recycled Copy Paper – at least 30% pcw

Detailed Inputs Form – if you receive the

garbage bill

Detailed Inputs Form

Energy Section• Purpose: Conserve energy through

– more efficient lighting– more efficient electronics and appliances– weatherizing– regular maintenance and good habits

• Lead agency: Skyline Energy Efficiency Auditors, Rebates through PG&E, RightLights and EnergyWatch

Energy Retrofit Rebates

• Rebates are highest through RightLights or EnergyWatch

• EnergyWatch is for non-profits, government facilities, institutions, and schools

• RightLights is for small businesses• Can use your own contractor and get PG&E

rebates as well, but not as much.

Fluorescent and LED Lighting

Fluorescent tubes change from T12 to

T8 or T5P.G.&E. rebates

available

Energy Star Office Equipment

Water Section• Purpose: Conserve water

– Toilets and faucets– Irrigation– Cleaning practices

• Lead agency: Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA)

BAWSCA rebates available

Low Flow Toilets - 1.6 Gallons or Less

Low Flow Aerators

Irrigation Savings

Pollution Section

• Purpose: Reduce pollution – Worker exposure– In the air, water, ground– Safely dispose of hazardous waste

• Lead agency: San Mateo County Green Business Program

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Universal Waste = Hazardous

“Green” Cleaning Products

Sfapproved.orgGreenseal.org

Goodguide.com

Triclosan

Wastewater Section

• Purpose: Keep storm water clean– “Only rain down the storm drain”

• Lead agency: San Mateo County Green Business Program

Storm Drain

Keep Dumpsters Clean and Covered

Car and Truck Washing – Keep Runoff Away from Storm Drains

General Section

• Purpose: Integrate green business principles into the organization

Environmental Purchasing Policy

• Buy products with – Recycled content– Least packaging– Most efficiency– Least toxicity

Small Group Discussion and Debrief1. Introduce yourselves

2. Share one or two “green” measure/s you have instituted

3. Choose 2 sections of the application that you think will be

the most challenging

4. Review these sections with your group

5. Help each other with questions/concerns that arise

6. Bring 1-2 questions to the entire group for debrief session