The Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division (RRWM) of Santa Barbara County Public Works recently achieved 鈥淚nnovator鈥� status through the Green Business Program (GBP) of Santa Barbara County. This recognition is reserved for businesses and organizations that meet or exceed the highest level of certification within the GBP. These businesses must uphold the following standards by completing various tasks:
- Implement practices that support the community and promote social equity
- Significantly lower the business鈥檚 and/or community鈥檚 environmental footprint
- Promote the Green Business Program to encourage other businesses to lower their carbon and waste footprint
RRWM has implemented most of these standards for many years but was very excited to apply for and receive the official certification. Specifically, RRWM met the standards listed above by:
- Supporting renewable energy infrastructure by selecting the 100% renewable energy option from the energy provider
- Having a mission statement that supports the community and promotes social equity
- Providing healthcare for all full-time employees
- Offering employees a retirement plan
- Implementing a robust incentive program for employees who use alternative transportation
- Creating a five-year Sustainability Action Plan that outlines long-term sustainability goals, resources needed, and individuals responsible and incorporating goals to achieve net zero energy, zero waste certification, and net zero water usage
- Recruiting other businesses and County offices to enroll in the Green Business Program and being a business-to-business mentor working regularly to help them reach certification
- Making a request to at least three businesses or offices asking them to become a certified Green Business
- Offering electronic waste and hazardous waste disposal options for office supplies
- Providing low-waste options like reusable coffee pods
- Implementing various other standards and practices