The County of Marin supports local businesses with sustainability efforts through the Marin Green Business Program. By offering technical assistance and certification, the program helps small to medium-sized businesses and non-profits save money, conserve resources, reduce pollution, and lower their carbon footprint.
What makes a business "Certified Green"?
Certified Green businesses in Marin County take practical steps to reduce environmental impacts. To gain certification, businesses commit to verified green practices across key focus areas from saving energy and water to preventing pollution and reducing waste. These practices can help a business conserve resources, lower operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a healthier community.
Focus Areas
Conserve Energy
We can help you upgrade your lighting and equipment to save energy and reduce costs. Our team offers assistance with finding energy-efficient options, securing incentives, and exploring electrification to make your space more sustainable.
Reduce Water Use
Conserve water through efficient fixtures, equipment, landscaping, and everyday practices. We’ll connect you with resources, rebates, incentives, or low-cost options to reduce your water usage and other cost savings strategies.
Prevent Pollution
We’re here to help you switch to safer, non-toxic cleaning products that are third-party certified whenever possible. Reduce your environmental impact and improve employee safety with our guidance on choosing healthier cleaning alternatives.
Reduce Waste
We’ll help your business find practical ways to reduce waste, such as avoiding unnecessary packaging and printing, choosing reusable options, and reducing single-use plastics. We’ll assist you in complying with new waste laws by setting up an efficient recycling system, teaching proper sorting techniques, and connect you with free or low-cost resources, including proper bins and signage.
Support Sustainable Commutes
Help reduce transportation emissions by supporting employee commute options including walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, and ZEV vehicles.
Build Community
Make sustainability part of doing business. Engage employees and customers in your sustainability commitment, hire local vendors, and learn how to prepare your business for climate impacts and extreme weather events.
For Businesses: Why get certified?
Get free support to make your business more sustainable and earn recognition as a Marin Green Business. Our staff can help you find practical ways to reduce your environmental impact and connect with resources and rebates.
Benefits include:
- Hands-on support – Get guidance, resources, and technical assistance to help your business meet and go beyond environmental rules.
- Lower costs – Find ways to save energy, conserve water, and reduce waste.
- County recognition – Earn Green Business recognition from the County of Marin and receive a window decal and digital logo to promote your achievement.
- Customer visibility – Get listed in the California Green Business Directory and access opportunities for recognition through social media, local advertising, and community events.
- A healthier workplace – Use practices that can help create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplace.
For Residents: Support local Green Businesses
Choosing Certified Green Businesses supports local businesses that are taking action to reduce waste, conserve resources, prevent pollution, and address climate change. Certified Marin businesses join more than 4,000 businesses in the California Green Business Network across the state, including:
- Restaurants
- Retail and grocery stores
- Landscapers and construction
- Cleaning services
- Hotels
- Auto repair shops
- Nonprofits, real estate, and other professional services
Ready to get started?
The Marin Green Business Program helps businesses take practical steps to reduce their environmental impact, whether they are just getting started or ready to meet rigorous environmental standards.
Businesses can earn recognition at 2 levels:
- Entry-Level – A great place to start for any business. Complete a set of baseline environmental practices and connect with Sustainability staff for guidance, resources, and next steps.
- Certified – Take your environmental practices further by meeting high standards designed specifically for your business sector.
How to Get Certified Green:
- Register for the Green Business Program to tell us about your business.
- Review your checklist of green business practices.
- Schedule a consultation and business site visit.
- Complete any necessary action items with our support to reach certification.
- Share your certification with employees, customers, and the wider community!
If you have questions while you're filling out the application, contact us:
Phone: 415-473-2797. Dial 711 for CA relay.
Cost
This program is free for businesses based in Marin County.
Stay connected
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for local Green Business spotlights and program updates. Visit our Events page for the latest workshops and community events.
Related
- Find Certified Green businesses near you Visit the statewide Green Business directory.
- Sign up to be a Green Business Get started on your Marin Green Business certification with the Greenbiz Tracker portal.
- Understand the Reusable Foodware Ordinance A new local ordinance for dine-in and take-out food facilities.
- BayREN Business Save money on your next energy upgrade project
- Zero Waste at work Reduce waste in your workspace.
- Zero Waste Event Guide A guide has been prepared by Zero Waste Marin staff to help events hosted in Marin County produce less landfill waste.