GreenBusinessConsulting.com

The City of Los Angeles is currently developing a program for certifying green businesses in Los Angeles. The target date to begin certifying businesses is summer 2009.

The certification will be especially important to retail businesses who depend on customers that can easily switch to another business simply because that store is greener than its competitor.

Long term, the program will be important to all companies as Obama’s administration considers proposal that will tax businesses based on their carbon emissions, pollution and waste.

While the exact requirements of the certification aren’t finalized yet, they would be similar to Santa Monica’s criteria for certifying green businesses. The city will begin by certifying hospitality businesses followed by restaurants, auto repair, retail and office-based businesses.

Until certification is available, the city recommends getting started by following the steps on this page, including an audit of your water and energy use, measurement waste and taking measures to prevent pollution.

Not sure where to get started? That’s where we can help – our consultants have audited a number of businesses. We’d love to put you on the path to being a certified green businesses.

GreenBusinessConsulting.com is a resource for companies or employees who want to learn how to green their business.

What does it mean to be a green business? A green business adds a concern for the environment to its decision-making process. Its products, services and offices are designed to have the least ecological and carbon footprint.

This may sound like a daunting task, but it’s so easy to get started, and the more you know how to green your business, the easier it is to talk to your customers about it.

In recent market research, more than two-thirds of consumers say all other things being equal, a person will choose a product or service that supports a cause. We believe that this will create a virtuous circle – customers will prefer your business, and it will allow your business to grow.

Of course its not just about profits, we all know the earth is in its eleventh hour if we don’t become conscious of global warming and ecosystem decline. We want you to be successful at truly transforming your company into a green company with a lower carbon footprint because we all benefit.

Examples of Green Business Practices
• Reduce waste and promote recycling
• Become energy and water efficient
• Purchase products that are less harmful to health and the environment
• Minimize water pollution
• Improve indoor air quality
• Encourage telecommuting and alternative methods of transportation for commuting
• Educate your customers, employees and partners about green business practices
• Develop products and services that a green by design

An example of this would be our upcoming post on Reducing Paper Waste, which details how one company reduced its carbon footprint by having just by changing its paper purchasing, printing and disposal habit. These changes can easily be done by any business.

Check back soon for more green business tips!