Government Information
If you work for a public agency in the Monterey Bay area and are seeking a voluntary incentives program that encourages businesses not only to comply with environmental regulations but to go beyond them, you have come to the right place. Also, your in-house public agency operations can become Certified Green Businesses. Demonstrate your commitment to your community and your local environment by becoming certified today!

The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program
is a cooperative regional effort that assists businesses and public agencies to come into compliance with all environmental regulations, and take steps to prevent pollution and conserve resources. Certified green businesses and public agencies may display the Green Business logo on their premises and in their advertising. The Green Business Program markets the logo so that consumers can identify environmentally responsible businesses. The public’s growing environmental awareness represents purchasing power that can motivate businesses to become “green.”

The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program was developed by a Task Force of local public agency and non profit members. The Task Force championed the Program as a way to reduce hazardous waste generation and promote pollution prevention and resource conservation. The Program provides businesses with clear consolidated information and technical assistance on:  

• how to comply with environmental regulations (including those pertaining to air quality, wastewater discharge, storm water management, chemical storage and handling, and hazardous waste management); and 

• how to go beyond compliance to adopt environmentally-sound practices in four areas - energy efficiency, water conservation, solid and hazardous waste reduction, and pollution prevention.

Motivated to Be Green
Until recently, most environmental initiatives targeted big businesses. The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is designed to specially serve small and medium-sized businesses. Small operators do not have dedicated environmental specialists on staff and are often not in a position to hire consultants. They tend to avoid seeking help from government and therefore miss opportunities to run environmentally-responsible operations. As the Program matures, the Program will be expanded to more and more types of businesses. The Program motivates business participation by:

• Helping businesses to develop a positive, proactive relationship with environmental regulators who provide regulatory and pollution prevention expertise.

• Coordinating inspections so that the businesses receive consistent rather than conflicting information. Program-developed materials cover all applicable regulatory concerns.

• Recognizing businesses at a public ceremony where they receive their Green Business certificate and window decal.

• Promoting the Program and logo to the public to encourage customers to patronize local green businesses.

Get your Public Agency Involved
Your public agency can benefit by joining the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program.
1. Join the program! Your involvement can help us achieve excellent environmental performance by businesses in your jurisdiction. Many of our Task Force participants utilize the Green Business Program to meet their NPDES permit requirements, to reach agency goals for public outreach, and as an easy way to provide much needed technical assistance to businesses in their community.
2. Get certified! Just like a local business, your operations such as vehicle repair facilities, can become Certified Green Businesses. Show your community that you "walk your talk" by having your own agency operations become Certified Green Businesses.

For more information about the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program contact the County Coordinators.