How the program works
Get recognized for the sustainability efforts your business is already making
The Green Business Program helps businesses conserve resources, strengthen operations, and earn recognition for their sustainability efforts. Whether you’re just getting started or have been implementing sustainability practices for years, the program provides a framework for measuring, improving, and celebrating your impact.
What to expect
Getting certified is simpler than many businesses expect. The Green Business Program uses a flexible, points-based certification system, allowing businesses to earn points for sustainability actions that are relevant to their operations. Most businesses are already doing a number of qualifying actions when they join the program. Certification recognizes those existing efforts while helping businesses identify additional opportunities to conserve resources, strengthen operations, and reduce costs.
Here’s how certification works
Sign up
Create your free business profile in just a few minutes.
Account approval
We will review your information and approve your account (up to 5 business days).
Complete actions
Complete actions relevant to your business to earn points toward certification.
Schedule a walkthrough
Once you’ve earned enough points, schedule an in-person walkthrough with our team.
Earn certification
Receive recognition and access tools to showcase your achievements.
Actions may help businesses Reduce operating costsSave energy and waterReduce wasteImprove employee wellbeingStrengthen community impactDemonstrate leadershipEncourage employee engagementAlign with customer values
Whether you’re implementing a new initiative or documenting practices already in place, each action contributes to your certification while supporting meaningful business and community outcomes.
Take action
Every action has a purpose
The Green Business Program isn’t about checking boxes. Each action is designed to help businesses operate more efficiently, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to a stronger, healthier community.
How actions work
Businesses earn points by completing actions across a variety of categories. Businesses are encouraged to focus on the actions that make the most sense for their operations and goals. Each action includes information on:
- Why the action matters
- How to complete the action
- Points awarded for completing the action
- Resources and guidance
- Documentation requirements
Example actions include:
- Energy: Replace exterior lighting with LEDs, install occupancy sensors, schedule annual HVAC tune-ups
- Water: Install faucet aerators, repair leaks, add compost or biochar to landscaping
- Materials & Waste: Start food waste collection, improve recycling signage, eliminate single-use items
- Transportation: Offer employee transit incentives, install EV charging, post idle-free signage
- Thriving Community & Equity:
Form a Green Team, support local artists, offer resident discounts
Certification levels
The Green Business Program offers three certification levels that recognize a business’s sustainability achievements and ongoing commitment to improvement.
Not sure where to begin?
Many businesses are surprised to discover they’re already doing many of the things that qualify for certification. In fact, most earn points before making any additional operational changes.
- Submit actions you’re already doing
- Focus on categories most relevant to your business
- Evaluate areas where you’d like to improve
- Identify opportunities that align with your organizational goals
There is no required order for completing actions, and you don’t have to complete every action that appears in your profile.
Getting started is as easy as…
1Sign up and
get started
2Earn points
with actions
3Schedule a
walkthrough
4Enjoy your
certification
Need Help?
You don’t have to navigate the program alone. The Green Business Program Team is available to help! Contact the Green Business Team
Get started
We will help you understand the certification process.
Identify
We will help you identify actions that apply to your business.
Prioritize
We will help you prioritize opportunities and answer questions about documentation and verification.
Connect
We can connect you with technical resources and service providers.
Save
We can help you find rebates and incentives to lower the cost of implementing an action.
Become a Green Business
FAQs
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.
