Archive for February, 2010:
Go Green! The Green Business Program in Monterey Bay Area, California
Monterey Bay Area offers a Green Business Program which is a multimedia (soil, air and water) pollution prevention effort that makes a positive relationship between the public, business community and government. It is an incentive based program designed to encourage businesses to match or exceed environmental standards.
The Green Business Program takes pride in recognizing the businesses that lead the way in the environmental field within the Monterey Bay Area. By recognizing their good work in the area it allows for other businesses to follow their example. The Green Business Program wants to show businesses that they can accomplish both being green and profitable-and good members of our communities.
To be a certified “green,” participating businesses need be in accordance with regulatory agencies and meet program criteria for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. Their program is designed to assist, recognize and promote businesses that decide to operate their businesses in a more environmentally responsible way. The Monterey Bay Area Business Program wants to encourage and pave a path for more companies to go green.
The Green Business Program was first started in 2003. The program currently provides aide and certification for vehicle service facilities and restaurants. In the near future, the program will set its sets on assisting and certifying printers, hotels, landscapers, dry cleaners, and wineries in the Santa Cruz area.
In 2004 on Earth Day the Green Business Program Partners awarded the first Certified Green Business Awards to seven local auto shops at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors program kick-off ceremony.
Some of the local agencies that are a part of the Green Business Program Partners include the Sanitation District, Public Works Department Recycling and Solid Waste, Environmental Health Services, City of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant, City of Watsonville, Soquel Creek Water District and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency.
If your business or one that you know wants to be a part of this program, you can contact the Green Business Program of Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito County and they will gladly assist you in answering all of your questions and help you get started making your company a Green Business.
Old to New, Going Green. How do the Two Relate?
It seems that almost everyone is trying to do their part in helping the environment so what are builders doing? How are they making their contribution?
Around the North America many are watching the hit television show Extreme Home Makeover, which is a show wrapped around helping families live a healthier life. Majority of the time, it takes the builders to demolish their old, falling down homes and rebuilding them with brand new ones, but is that what all builders do?
The answer is NO, there are builders and general contractors all around the United States that search high and low for communities that are falling down and homes that are in need of help. Contractors and builders like this have a skill, they can look at the worst in something and a vision a beautiful work of art or masterpiece in a matter of months.
Most of us want new, it’s practical and most of the times comes with a warranty. It is more convenient, not everyone is like that. Many people want the old, to make it into new. They see it as an investment.
Nearly all around the country people are looking and purchasing homes and buildings that are falling apart so they can bring the original luster or appeal back to them they want to give the structure a new found life.
Homes and businesses that are falling apart and need a lot of work can be found at a much cheaper price than new ones which makes it a key factor for business men and women alike. Purchasing a piece of property for a fraction of the price and putting into it what you what have spent on a new piece turns your property into a profit which is what many want.
Look at it this way, why go out and pay $200,000 on a home? When you can purchase a falling down home for $20,000 and invest just a mere $100,000 in it and resell it for $300,000. If you can do that then you have just made a profit of $80,000. More and more people are beginning to do this as a business or a way of life because they want to see the old being turned into new without damaging history or using all new products that are hurting the environment, it’s their way of giving back or refurbishing. Going Green!
Finding a Green Business Near You!
Many people seem to be falling into the idea of saving the environment and we’re nearly all doing it differently, taking different approaches on how we do it. Some people think by going green, then they need to purchase eco-friendly cars or placing solar panels on their homes, while many others just do small things such as purchasing recyclable grocery bags instead of using plastic or paper. Even if you don’t do your entire work environment green, you can start with little things.
Many people are stuck in the rut of how do I go green, or how do I find a company that is green? Going green is quite simple and there are many different ways on how to find a green company.
First of all you can simply check with your cell phone carrier, bank or any other place that you have an account. It seems like many companies are trying to do their part in helping preserve the environment so they are opting for paperless statements and more ways that you can check your accounts and even pay your accounts and bills online rather than mailing them; which uses paper, checks and stamps.
Secondly, you can search the local web directory; the web is a place to look for a green company or business near you. Home improvement stores, bill companies and companies that specialize in green products can be found online. By searching online, you may take the advantage and research products to see how they are made and how they actually help out the environment. You may also want to check out some suitable reviews.
Another way is to talk to neighbours, friends and loved ones. Word of mouth is another way to find green products or companies that offer green products and merchandise.
Your phone book or yellow pages are also an alternative where you can find green businesses. The yellow pages offer a green section now which allows you to find hundreds of companies and businesses right within your location.
How about start finding a green business next to you?