The 2017 Sustainable Business Certification Program certified twelve businesses culminating in an award ceremony.

The City is now accepting applications for the  2018 Sustainable Business Certification Program.

Get a jump on your certification by following these checklists:

• Office Dwellers and Retailers
• Restaurants 

Join the Sustainable Business community by becoming certified through participation in Culver City’s Sustainable Business Certification Program (“CCSBCP”).

This two-tiered program will help Culver City-based businesses design and operate a Certified Sustainable Business, along with public recognition for your efforts.

The CCSBCP Program assists your Business in:

• Determining your current level of Sustainability by performing an assessment

• Creating an action plan of personalized recommendations to operate a Sustainable Business that is based on your assessment

• Providing tools and resources needed to meet Certification requirements

• Step by step assistance in the process to achieve one of the two Certification tier levels

• Assistance with receiving State recognition through the California Green Business Network   

Becoming a Certified Sustainable Business means actively implementing practices and forming policies that reduce energy and water consumption, pollution, waste diversion, and ensure fair treatment of its employees. It is beneficial to the business, residents, as well as the community at large by reducing its carbon footprint.

The CCSBCP Certification is divided in two-tiers:

• Tier 1: "Certified" - Businesses must meet criteria in Energy, Water & Waste reduction, Pollution Prevention, Transportation and Community Engagement.
• Tier 2: "Certified Innovator" - In addition to meeting Tier 1 Criteria, Businesses must be exemplary employers and demonstrate innovative practices in environmental conservation, community engagement and social responsibility.

To qualify for this Business Assistance Program, your business must meet the following requirements:  

• Be located in the City of Culver City

• Have a current Culver City Business License

• Have 5 or more employees

• Be in the Office/Retail or Restaurant sector

• Be located within a commercial building (no home offices)

• Be in business for at least one year 

• Be in compliance and up-to-date with all city and county permits

There are multiple benefits to operating a Sustainable Business and signing up for the Certification Program:

• Free Business Assistance  -- The program is at no cost to the first 15 businesses that sign up and undergo an on-site assessment

• Free Certification -- for the first 10 businesses that meet tier one or tier two requirements.  Each additional business is charged from $225 to $450 to participate, depending on the size of their firm

• Save money on energy, water and waste bills

• Conserve valuable resources and protect the environment

• Enjoy a marketing edge over your competition by proudly displaying your Certification seal

• Improve employee wellness and productivity

• Conduct your business according to high values for your employees, customers and community

• Receive recognition as an environmentally and socially-responsible business by the City of Culver City

• Join the growing number of Sustainable Businesses in Culver City

• Join the larger California Green Business Network, automatically

• Participation helps your business comply with all environmental rules and regulations

• Assists Culver City achieve its climate action goals by reducing the City’s carbon footprint

• Assists Culver City achieve its solid waste diversion goal of 75% by 2020 

The Process is simple:

Step 1: Register online for the program. You will receive an automatic email confirmation

Step 2: A Certification Program team member will contact you to schedule a call to review the requirements and process

Step 3: Enroll on the California Green Business Network database

Step 4: Schedule an on-site assessment (typically one hour, depending on your square footage)

Step 5: Receive personalized recommendations contained in a written Action Plan report

Step 6: Work with the Certification Program team and your landlord (if applicable) to implement the Action Plan

Step 7: Receive City certification, which is valid for 3 years

2018 Year Specifications

• Registration ends March 31, 2019
  
  
• This program is on a first come, first serve basis
  
  
• 15 businesses will receive a free assessment
  
  
• 10 businesses that implement the required measures will receive free certification
  
  
• A fee will be applied to the 11th-15th business that seek certification. See below for fee structure
  
  
• A maximum number of 15 businesses will be certified in 2018.     

Fee Schedule for 11th-15th business that seek certification

Culver City has partnered with two local consulting firms -- Balanced Approach Strategic Sustainability Services and Sustainable Works - to establish and administer Culver City’s premiere Sustainable Business Certification Program.

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