The California Green Business Network: Helping California Businesses Go Green
My name is Leslie Redman and I work with Margo as the Virtual Assistant and Studio Manager for High Mountain Creative. I live in California’s Eastern Sierra and began running my Virtual Assistant business in June 2021.
Since starting my business, I have learned a lot about the impact my work has on my clients and their own business goals, but also the effect even a small 100% digital business can have on the environment. As someone who strives to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, I wanted to carry those ethics over to my business, which led me to find the California Green Business Network.
Even if you don’t live in California, you’re bound to find some great takeaways and inspiration here!
What is the California Green Business Network and why should I consider joining?
Working primarily with small to medium businesses, the California Green Business Network is a program that requires its members to certify that they have made environmentally responsible choices in each of seven categories:
Energy Usage
Pollution Prevention
Solid Waste Reduction
Sustainable Transportation
Wastewater Protection
Water Usage Efficiency
Community Advocacy
For each category, there is a set of “Core Measures,” each of which must be completed, and “Elective Measures,” which you must complete a certain number of, to meet the requirements to certify. Most measures also include “Green Tips” to simplify the process by suggesting resources like websites and templates, which was extremely useful to me!
Aside from the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making environmentally conscious choices, joining the California Green Business Network comes with several marketing benefits as well. Once certified, businesses are added to an online directory, which makes it easy for potential clients to locate green businesses to work with, social media and local government recognition, Google AdWords traffic, and a $500 grant to reimburse expenses incurred during the certification process. These expenses can range from the cost of purchasing 100% post-consumer recycled printer paper to upgrading office equipment with more eco-friendly options. The grant itself is a great incentive for business owners who might be on the fence about getting certified!
Why is joining the California Green Business Network important?
Photo courtesy of Christin Hume
I run a very small business, operating 100% digitally from a single laptop in my home office, so why am I getting certified as a member of the California Green Business Network? On paper, this sort of business is inherently pretty “green”.
Working with Margo and witnessing how she has integrated eco-friendly practices into her green graphic design studio has been an inspiration and a guide for how to reduce environmental impact and show clients what I value most. As I went through the process of certifying with the California Green Business Network, I realized that there are more sustainable, eco-friendly choices I could make to establish greener standard operating procedures and practices as my business grows.
Though the certification process involves a bit of commitment and work, with the help of my local Network coordinators I was able to complete my certification checklist relatively quickly. My certification checklist included things like purchasing kitchen and bathroom papers made from 30% post-consumer waste recycled content, changing the faucet aerators in my kitchen and bathroom to reduce my water usage, creating an environmental policy for my business, and purchasing carbon offsets from Cool Effect.
Green business practices lead to a greener lifestyle
While going through the process of joining the California Green Business Network has empowered me to make more eco-friendly choices for my business, the resources I discovered while completing my checklist have also led to more environmentally conscious living outside of work. Not only am I really proud to have committed to running my business in the greenest way possible and pursuing relationships with clients who share these values, but I also find myself advocating for the planet more than ever.
I encourage you to check for green business programs at your local or state level to see what's available in your area. Additionally, the California Green Business Network website has plenty of great ideas for how to make more eco-friendly choices, even if you don’t live in California!
If you’re a business owner in California or just want to know more about the program and what I learned about running a green business, I’d love to share more about my experience! You can find me on LinkedIn or reach out at hello@leslieredman.com.
Disclaimer: High Mountain Creative is not a member of the California Green Business Network.