Urban Design

Green Business Program

To promote and assist businesses integrating environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that is sustainable as well as profitable.

Topic Areas Addressed:

Urban Design

Keywords:

green, businesses, san francisco, green jobs

Submitting Jurisdiction:

City and County of San Francisco

The February 2006 ordinance empowers the San Francisco Department of the Environment, Department of Public Health, and the Public Utilities Commission to develop and implement a Green Business Program. The Program recognizes local businesses that have adopted measures to prevent pollution at its source, reduce waste and energy use, conserve water, and reduce their overall carbon footprint as San Francisco Green Businesses.

The first step in qualification is compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Next, businesses must implement minimum standards listed on a comprehensive check list which include elements in the areas of waste & recycling, energy conservation, water conservation, and pollution prevention.

SF Green Business program standards or measures are developed by program staff with input from industry experts, utility companies, pollution prevention professionals, City inspectors and trade associations.

Public Outreach and Education:

Environmental experts from the city departments provide hands-on support, training, and technical assistance.

Target Audience:

Hotels, restaurants, offices, retailers, dentists; now expanding to printers, auto repair shops, janitorial services, and garment cleaners.

Measurable Outcomes:

More than 160 businesses have been certified to date. An analysis of 25 of these businesses showed that they collectively reduced their energy use by 224,188 KWH energy per year, reduced water use by 9,71,993 gallons per year, reduced their disposal of hazardous materials by 116 tons per year, reduced their paper use by 18 tons per year and eliminated 382 tons of greenhouse gases. These same businesses, since receiving recognition as Green Businesses, have had a 42% increase in their business activity. Three hotels recognized by the Program achieved greenhouse gas emission reductions of 50 tons per year after making extensive energy efficiency retrofits in order to meet standards.

Fiscal Impacts:

The SF Green Business Program was initially free to all local businesses; however, the program is scheduled to charge a fee covering part of the cost of certification within the next year.

Legal Issues:

False or misleading statements or misrepresentations regarding a business’s eligibility or compliance with the Green Business Program standards may lead to an administrative penalty up to $500 per violation and/or revocation of a business’s recognition.

Originating Source:

The SF Green Business Program is a part of the larger organization called The Bay Area Green Business Program, which has been operating for more than 10 years and supports other regional green business programs similar to San Francisco’s in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties.