A total of 41 Santa Clara County businesses have been recognized for being eco-friendly.
Supervisor Jim Beall, Chair of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, presented certificates to representatives of the newly certified Santa Clara County businesses to honor their environmental achievements.
Many local municipal departments were recognized as “green businesses,” including Gilroy’s City Hall.
“Having the Gilroy City Hall certified as a green business sets an example for businesses within our city, as well as throughout the county,” said Lisa Jensema, environmental services coordinator for the city of Gilroy.
Additionally, Gilroy’s corporation yard and fire department also made the list.
Weston MIles Architects, located in Morgan Hill, was also honored for its green practices.
The Santa Clara County Integrated Waste Management Division oversees the County’s Green Business Program. The Green Business Program encourages and assists local businesses to identify and implement sustainable practices to prevent pollution, protect water quality, conserve water and energy, reduce generation of waste, and increase recycling.
“The Green Business Program both recognizes businesses that are operating in an environmentally responsible manner and showcases them to the rest of the business community,” said George Denise, General Manager for Facilities, Cushman & Wakefield for Adobe Systems Incorporated. “Through the various green practices and procedures we implemented, we have actually reduced our building operating expenses more than $1 million per year.”
The County’s Green Business Program staff, in concert with Santa Clara Valley Water District and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, works with businesses of all types to improve environmental performance and achieve green certification in Santa Clara County. Free water, energy, and waste audits help businesses identify and correct operating inefficiencies.
“The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s alternative energy programs set an example for other organizations that being ‘green’ is good for saving natural resources, increasing the efficiency of your business, and, in the case of public agencies, saving the taxpayer money,” says Stan Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Beginning in fiscal year 2006, the Santa Clara County Green Business Program expanded countywide to facilitate working with more businesses.
The goal in 2007 is to certify 45 businesses, slightly more than the impressive class of 2006 Certified Green Businesses.
For more information about the Green Business Program in Santa Clara County call Gretchen Hayes at (408) 441-4329 or go to www.greenbiz.sccgov.org.
