Green Business Partnership

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The Green Business Partnership was developed through a collaborative effort of county government programs, businesses, and business organizations, subject matter experts, and the general public. The program provides a framework for businesses to elevate their overall environmental performance, requires implementation of practical environmental measures that is verified through on-site assessment, and recognizes successful applicants for their demonstrated environmental commitment. The program is open to all businesses in Sarasota County, regardless of type or size, who implement environmental stewardship measures that reduce their environmental impacts and risks. Successful applicants benefit from the direct savings realized by reducing solid waste, water, and energy costs as well as efficiencies realized through studying business practices from an environmental perspective. The County issues a news release, lists the business in the online Green Business Directory, and provides each new Green Business Partner the program logo electronically and as a door sticker. These actions provide the business with the indirect benefits of positive public exposure while providing them with a marketing advantage over their non-certified competition. The community benefits by having a verifiable performance standard that ensures certified businesses are behaving in a manner that protects the environment.