San Mateo County Green Business Program

The County of San Mateo along with the City of Burlingame, Daly City, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Carlos and San Mateo have recently completed the first phase of a pilot program of the Bay Area Green Business Certification Program. Phase one of the pilot program was open from July 1st 2007 through December 31, 2008.

The second phase of the pilot program continues in the above cities as County staff begins training additional cities for a San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved expansion countywide on July 1, 2008.

Also approved is an expansion of the business sectors included in the program, effective immediately.  The current list of businesses sectors approved is as follows: Restaurant/Cafe, Auto Service Shop, Hotel/Motel, Office/Retail, Dentists, Printers, Painters, Auto Body Shops, Remodeling Contractors, Landscapers and Wineries.

About the Green Business Program

The Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership between the Cities, and County, environmental agencies and utility companies that assist, recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way. To be certified "Green," participants must be in compliance with all state and local regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. Developed in 1997 by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Bay Area public agencies in collaboration with US EPA, Cal EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control and the business community, the program is offered throughout the Bay Area.

Why Go Green?

Going Green makes good business sense! It improves all aspects of the business environment.

A Green Business:
  • Can save money and resources by reducing energy, water, and garbage usage
  • Reduces their impact on Climate Change
  • Improves employee morale and create a healthy workplace
  • Strengthens its bottom line through operating efficiencies and innovations
  • Is recognized and can market itself as an environmental leader in their community

Get recognized for being Green — Sign up to become a Green Business in San Mateo County!

San Mateo County Green Building The Green Business Program recognizes businesses that:
  • Comply with all environmental regulations
  • Take steps to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution


Certified Green Businesses receive recognition through:
  • Green Business Program websites: www.greenbiz.abag.ca.gov and www.RecycleWorks.org
  • Listing in the printed regional Bay Area Green Business Directory
  • Use of the Green Business logo on business materials
  • Special recognition event and press coverage
  • Window decal, certificate and promotional material

What Do I Have to Do to Be Green?

"We believe a successful business is dependent on a healthy environment. We are actively working to show our environmental responsibility to our community by committing to the following objectives:
  • Comply with all applicable regulations and strive to exceed compliance
  • Identify ways to conserve resources and prevent pollution
  • Use the Green Business checklist to select and record measures to:

    • Conserve water
    • Conserve energy
    • Reduce waste
    • Prevent pollution

Some Actions Green Businesses Have Taken:

  • Buying only recycled content paper and copying double-sided
  • Using efficient lighting systems to save energy
  • Promoting walking, biking, taking public transit or buying alternative energy or hybrid vehicles for their fleets
  • Remodeling with green materials such as using low-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint
  • Conserving water with low-flow toilets and faucet aerators
Becoming Green — the Process:
  2. Once your application is received, a Green Business Coordinator from your jurisdiction will contact you with more program details and to schedule a meeting. Please note that during the pilot program we will only be able to work with a limited number of businesses.
  3. After your initial meeting, several steps will take place:
    • There will be a verification that your business is in compliance with environmental regulations.
    • There will be a checklist of required and voluntary measures that your business must implement to prevent pollution and to conserve resources.
    • Additional meetings are required with program area experts, such as PG&E and the water agency.
  4. Once the items above are completed, the Countywide Green Business Coordinator will conduct a final check of your application, and site visit.
  5. You will then receive your Green Business Certification.

Remember your business may already be very "Green." If so, you can take credit for the measures you have already implemented. Your local Green Business Coordinator will work with you throughout the process and help you go through the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the program.

— We strive to assist businesses of every type and size but there are some that are outside the current scope of the program. We are presently only offering the Pilot Program to a limited number of businesses in the following jurisdictions: Burlingame, Daly City, Millbrae, San Carlos, San Mateo, Redwood City, and Unincorporated San Mateo County. The Pilot Program is serving four business types: Restaurants/Cafés, Offices/Retail, Hotels/Motels and Auto Repair Shops. Based on the success of the pilot program the San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors will consider expansion of the program into other cities and business types in the Spring of 2008.

If your business resides in an area outside the Pilot Program or is a different business type, Fill-out an application to be put on a waiting-list and to receive future updates on the program and how to become a Sustainable Business.

For information on becoming a Green Business in other Bay Area Counties,
please visit:
www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/enviro/gbus/CountyCoordinators.html

For information on the regional Green Business Program, please visit:
www.greenbiz.abag.ca.gov/

Work With Our Coordinators

Businesses receive advice, technical assistance, and official certification at no cost from the Green Business Program coordinators and their public agency/utility partners.

Independent consultants and non-profit organizations offer coaching or mentoring services but can't officially verify that you have met the standards and achieved Green Business status.

The Green Business Program is not affiliated with any coaches or mentors. If you consider working with one, we suggest you ask for references and speak to other clients they have helped.