How the program works

Joining this program is completely free. Our mission is to provide expert guidance, tools and incentives for local organizations to maximize value while building sustainable, regenerative business practices. We also aim to bring greater recognition and incentives to businesses that surface as environmental leaders with an efficient, credible program.

Any Summit County business can qualify, however we do ask that you complete these steps internally before you apply.

• You must assign a Green Business Point of Contact to oversee your program and document your certification, and
• Ensure organizational leadership is aware of and supportive of your Green Business efforts. Share updates on your progress at least twice per year; quarterly updates are encouraged.

Businesses earn points by completing actions across a variety of categories. Not every action will apply to every business, and businesses are encouraged to focus on the actions that make the most sense for their operations and goals.

Energy

Energy actions help businesses reduce utility costs, improve efficiency, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Examples of Energy Actions:

• Complete annual HVAC system check-ups (5 points)
• Replace exterior lighting with LEDs (10 points)
• Install occupancy sensors (5 points)

Water Conservation

Water actions help businesses conserve one of our most valuable natural resources while reducing water use and utility costs.

Examples of Water Conservation Actions:

• Add compost, mulch, or biochar to landscape areas (15 points)
• Install faucet aerators in bathroom sinks (5 points)
• Routinely check for and repair water leaks (5 points)

Materials Management

Materials and Waste actions focus on reducing waste, increasing reuse, and improving recycling and composting efforts. Actions in this category are all about following the waste hierarchy.

Examples of Materials & Waste Actions:

• Eliminate all single-use items (5 points)
• Set up a food waste or organic waste recycling program (10 points)
• Ensure all waste stations have bilingual signage (5 points)

Transportation

Transportation actions help reduce vehicle emissions and encourage alternative transportation options for employees and visitors.

Examples of Transportation Actions:

• Provide EV charging stations for employees or guests (10 points)
• Install idle-free signage on your premises (5 points)
• Offer employee incentives for alternative transportation choices (10 points)

Thriving Community & Equity

These actions support employee wellbeing, strengthen community connections, and contribute to a more vibrant local economy.

Examples of Thriving Community & Equity Actions:

• Form and support an employee Green Team (15 points)
• Provide a discount or “Locals Only” benefit for residents (5 points)
• Display local artwork in your business or at events (5 points)

These examples represent only a small portion of the actions available. The Green Business Program currently includes hundreds of actions tailored to different business types, allowing businesses to focus on completing the actions that best fit their operations and sustainability goals.

No. Businesses earn points by completing the actions that make the most sense for their operations. As you work through the checklist, you can skip any actions that aren’t relevant or that you don’t plan to implement. You may also discover new ideas along the way and decide to take actions you hadn’t originally considered. 

You’ll earn points by completing sustainability actions that are relevant to your business. Certification is awarded based on the total number of points you earn.

• Bronze Certification: 249–374 points
• Silver Certification: 375–849 points
• Gold Certification: 850 points or more

You do not need to complete every action to become certified. Most businesses are already doing a number of qualifying actions when they join the program, and you can choose the actions that make the most sense for your business.

The time required varies depending on your starting point and the certification level you’re pursuing. Many businesses already have qualifying actions in place when they join, allowing them to earn enough points for certification in as little as 2–3 hours. Others may need additional time to gather documentation, coordinate with colleagues, or implement additional actions.

Once you’ve earned enough points to reach your desired certification level, you’ll schedule a walk-through with our team to verify your completed actions and finalize the certification process.

Start with actions you’re already doing or contact the Green Business Team for guidance.