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Green Business Certification Program

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About

The Green Business Certification Program is designed to increase sustainability through innovative solutions within your business. This voluntary program aims to create a balance between the workplace and natural environment through increasing efficiency and reducing the use of energy, water, and waste. By helping green our city, you will receive a certification for your place of business and will be included on the list of Certified Green Businesses for our city, so residents and customers alike can recognize you for your actions. 

Do you need more information on how to make your business practices more sustainable and to become certified? You will find helpful information in the “Resources” section below.

There are three certification checklists that you can choose from based on your type of business: restaurant and food industry, hotel and lodging, or all other businesses. The minimum requirements listed on the certification checklist (Questions 1 to 5) must be met in order to become a “Green” certified business.

To become a “Silver” or “Gold” certified business, you can earn additional points by implementing the sustainability measures listed in the “Extra Criteria” sections of the checklists.

Submissions will be evaluated by the City of Delray Beach's Office of Sustainability and Resilience.

Contact 

NAME: Kent Edwards, Sustainability Officer

PHONE: 561-243-7000 Ext. 7349

EMAIL: EdwardsJ@MyDelrayBeach.com

How to participate in the Green Business Certification Program

Green Business Process

Step 1: Get Information

  • Those who are beginning or have already begun implementing sustainability into their business practices can find resources on this website.

Step 2: Complete Checklist

  • Businesses will complete the certification checklist according to the type of business. Three checklists are available to choose from: Food Industry, Lodging Industry, Other Businesses.
  • Minimum requirements must be met to become certified and points are awarded for extra criteria to achieve a higher rating.

Step 3: Receive Certification 

  • The completed checklist is reviewed by the Office of Sustainability and Resilience.
  • The certificate and achieved rating level is provided to the business and the business' information is included on the City's directory of certified Green Businesses. Certification will be renewed every 3 years.

Certification Levels

Certification Level

Green - Must meet minimum requirements

Silver - Minimum requirements + 15 points

Gold - Minimum requirements + 40 points

 

Incentives 

As a benefit of this program, businesses would:

  • Be included on a list of Green Businesses in Delray Beach on the City’s website.
  • Receive a Green Business Window Cling for display at the business.

In addition, restaurants that complete this program may also be qualified to become certified as ocean-friendly through Surfrider Foundation.

Resources

Please use the guide below as a resource for your business to meet the minimum requirements of the Green Business Certification Program. By meeting the minimum requirements (Question 1 to 5 on the certification checklist), your business will be eligible to become certified as a “Green” Business by the City of Delray Beach.

Guide to Become Certified as a “Green” Business

In addition, you can visit our Sustainable Food Service Ware Guide page to help begin your search for single-use products that are more sustainable alternatives. You will find items such as “to go” containers, utensils, cups, plates and more.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program (EPP program) summarizes information to help you buy more sustainable products and services in all types of categories; including maintenance, carpet, cleaning, electronics, fleets, foodservice, landscaping, paint, etc. Learn more and shop products on the EPP’s website.  

The certification checklists listed below can also be utilized as a resource for your business since they list more than fifty ways your business can improve sustainability. Many of the criteria contain hyperlinks to bring you to more detailed information to help support you throughout this process. Once implemented, you can check off the criteria on the certification checklist to help the business achieve a higher level of certification.

The Office of Sustainability and Resilience is also a resource for your business, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any of your questions.

Certification Checklist

There are three certification checklists that you can choose from, based on your type of business: restaurant and food industry, lodging and hotel, or all other businesses.

The links below for the certification checklists detail not only the minimum requirements, but also contain many ways the business can achieve higher levels of certification. The minimum requirements listed on the certification checklist (Questions 1 to 5) must be met in order to become a “Green” certified business. To become a “Silver” or “Gold” certified business, you can earn additional points by implementing the sustainability measures listed in the “Extra Criteria” section of the certification checklist.