News & Events

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County (GBPSBC) has certified RRM Design Group as an Innovator business. RRM, known for “Creating environments people enjoy,” has embraced sustainable practices, leading to significant growth since their certification.

Environmental Stewardship: RRM has reimagined operations, incorporated sustainable design choices, and incentivized staff to reduce their carbon footprint. Dayna Lake, Chair of RRM’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, highlights their mission to create a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable future through comprehensive efforts in operations, education, design, evaluation, and advocacy.

Sustainable Practices: RRM tracks energy and resources to develop policies for reuse, recycling, waste reduction, and alternative transportation. They provide sustainability resources to employees, ensuring sustainable practices are integrated into their design process.

Notable Projects:

• Passive House Project: Aimed at reducing energy consumption through passive design elements, enhancing air quality, and comfort while decreasing carbon footprint.
• Emergency Operations Center and Regional Fire Communications Center: Designed to centralize emergency services, featuring sustainable materials and achieving net-zero carbon status.
• Zero Net Energy Cuyama Fire Station: A collaboration with Anderson Burton Construction, this project balances budget constraints with high-efficiency systems to achieve zero net energy.

Office Initiatives: RRM has made commendable changes, such as using non-toxic chemicals, eliminating single-use kitchen items, and enhancing recycling efforts. The certification process has fostered collaboration and community-building within the company.

RRM has had a very positive experience with the certification procedures and has even noted that the process has encouraged collaborative efforts and community-building within the company! If you are interested in learning more about RRM, please visit https://www.rrmdesign.com. If you are interested in learning more about green business certification, please visit: greenbusinessca.org.

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Come join us at the Community Environmental Council's Environmental Hub for an evening filled with inspiring stories, delicious food, activities, and chances to win prizes! This in-person event will feature local green businesses showcasing their sustainable practices and products. Network with like-minded individuals and learn how you can make a positive impact on the environment at our sustainability booths. Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate and support green initiatives in our community. See you there!

*Registration will increase to $50 on October 26th.

Please select "yes" at checkout if you are interested in getting picked up and dropped off (for free) in Santa Ynez or Goleta area. Exact locations TBD.

A BIG thank you to our 2024 sponsors:RRM Design Group, Atlas Copco, and Just 4 Fun Party Rentals!

With their help, our program can continue our mission of supporting small businesses in operating more sustainably. These sponsors are an invaluable part of strengthening our operation, and their contribution helps us with everything from boosting outreach potential to hosting our annual gala honoring our certified Green Businesses. 

If you are interested in becoming an annual or event sponsor, contact Kori at knielsen@environmentalin.com

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SANTA BARBARA, CA -- The Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County (GBPSBC) has certified the UCSB chapter houses Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, and Kappa Kappa Gamma.

UCSB’s Gauchos Go Green, is a group of students dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness in Isla Vista. The “Green Certification” Committee has the following tasks:

• Work closely with Greek life organizations to provide guidance and support in achieving green certification for their chapter houses
• Conduct assessments and audits to evaluate the sustainability practices and infrastructure of Greek chapter houses
• Develop and implement strategies to help Greek chapter houses meet the criteria set by the California Green Business Association for green certification
• Provide educational resources and training sessions to educate Greek chapter members on sustainable practices and behaviors
• Collaborate with local sustainability experts and professionals to offer expertise and guidance in implementing eco-friendly measures
• Assist Greek chapter houses in implementing energy-efficient solutions, waste reduction strategies, water conservation measures, and other sustainable practices
• Facilitate the application process for green certification, including the completion of required documentation and verification procedures
• Track and monitor the progress of Greek chapter houses towards green certification and provide ongoing support and assistance
• Promote and celebrate the achievement of green certification for Greek chapter houses through various communication channels and events
• Foster a culture of sustainability within Greek life by encouraging continuous improvement and the sharing of best practices among chapter houses.

Green Business Committee Co-Chairs, Caroline Small and Holden Smith supported sustainability leads Sami Bailey, Kiera Darnell, and Amelie Fu in their efforts to lead their houses toward certification.

Throughout the process, the chapter houses completed a variety of best practices for energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, toxics reduction, student commute, and education. Some more specific action items include: Donating excess food to shelters, food banks, or organizations that accept food scraps for animals; designating a recycling/sustainability coordinator for events; and holding an annual training/education for chapter members on sustainability and conservation for those living in the chapter house. 

Many of these chapter houses are inherently passionate about sustainability and environmental awareness, since many students choose to major in Environmental Studies at UCSB. Kiera Darnell, Sustainability lead for Kappa Kappa Gamma shares the following sentiment. ”We promote a strong, resilient sisterhood in which members can work together to improve the wellbeing of our surrounding community. By implementing sustainability measures in this program, we are tangibly acting on our passions while doing our part in creating less waste and using less energy.”

Kiera Darenell from Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Kappa Kappa Gamma has notably switched from using plastic cutlery to reusable ones for their weekly Monday night dinners, saving hundreds of plastic forks from going into the landfill. Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) has also been proudly reducing their waste. Sami Bailey, AXO sustainability lead remarks, “We have been much better about recycling and turning the lights out throughout our chapter house. We also have switched from disposable to reusable dining wear, which has been a big improvement.”

Sami Bailey from Alpha Chi Omega.

Last, but not least, Alpha Phi, Gamma Beta, the fourth Greek Chapter house to get certified in the State of California, remarks how they are always grateful for the opportunity to better themselves. “As a green business, we are proud of what we represent, and where sustainability can take us in the future. We are proud to be spearheading physical change in a non-typical environment, specifically college life,” states sustainability lead, Amelie Fu.

Amelie Fu from Alpha Phi.

These three chapter houses should be very proud of all they accomplished, and proudly follow in the footsteps of the first chapter houses in the State of California to receive this type of recognition: Kappa Alpha Theta was the first certified Greek Chapter house in the State to get certified, and then Pi Beta Phi, and Delta Gamma followed. All six of these houses have actively proven that Greek life doesn’t have to be wasteful, shifting public perception one certification at a time.

If you are interested in getting certified, contact Program Director, Kori Nielsen at knielsen@environmentalin.com. If you are interested in learning more about Gauchos Go Green, refer to their website here.

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Sands Boutique is your one-stop shop for high-quality, sustainable swim and beach-wear. Their magnificent swim and outerwear lines truly capture the essence and spirit of the American Riviera. If you have been struggling with having to choose between your concern for the environment and fairly priced, luxury clothing, this woman-owned business located in downtown Santa Barbara is for you! Lana, the owner of Sands Boutique, deeply cares about the impact of consumerism on our environment, and is mindful of that when sourcing the materials for their designs.

Growing up in Santa Barbara, Lana felt a sense of responsibility to serve her community in a positive way that had minimal impact on the planet. Her empathy implored her to structure her brand around sustainability, and thus Lana’s own Sands Swim line is made of 100% recycled Italian fabric. All materials are made out of marine plastics that would have otherwise littered our beaches or harmed marine life. Additionally, Sands Boutique is proud to state that all items are designed and produced in the United States because ensuring the longevity of labor sourcing in-house and locally is very important to Sands Boutique. She notes that, "sustainable fabrics...are more expensive to produce and not as easy to source", but that does not stop her from pricing her items as affordably as possible, as well as only purchasing materials from sellers that adhere to ethical labor practices.

Although Sands Boutique prided itself on its eco-friendly operations even before becoming a Certified Green Business, getting certified has helped the clothing store further advance in its sustainability journey. Sands Boutique uses recycled bags to avoid excess waste, eco-friendly shipping to reduce transportation emissions, uses LED lights to conserve energy, and has even opted for a digital print, which uses a dry powder process, instead of a wet print, which is a wet ink process, to save a significant amount of water. Since getting certified, Sands Boutique has experienced unparalleled growth and progress, which is reflected not only in all aspects of the company's business procedures, but also in Lana's personal life. She notices that, even outside of business operation, she feels more inclined to be an active force in bettering her community, whether that be by volunteering locally or engaging in environmentally conscious behavior at home.

When asked about how the certification process was for her, Lana said, “The certification process was actually really fun! The questionnaire not only made us feel good about what we were doing right but made us aware of what we could be doing better.” She notices that although she was already participating in comparatively progressive sustainability practices, taking that extra step to get certified broadcasted the Boutique’s commitment to the Green Business movement. Sands Boutique has answered the community’s call to action, and is now happy to be a part of an environmentally responsible business landscape with businesses who share a passion for sustainability and our planet.

Shop Sands boutique here: https://www.sandsboutique.com/

Interested in getting certified? Sign up today!

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Are you feeling like you still need to reset after the busy holiday season? Well, you are in luck! 

Come join us for a Galentines on Feb 16th, at 6 pm to mix and mingle with other women involved in, or interested in making the world a better place! It will be a relaxing evening filled with food, drinks, and a face mask workshop! 

$12 per person. 

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Are you looking to support a local organization in the new year? Well, look no further...

We are announcing a new sponsorship opportunity available to our green businesses!

Green Guru: $250 

Eco-friendly Entrepreneur: $500 

Sustainability Specialist: $750 

Conservation Captain: $2,000 +

By supporting our program, you will help us with the following:

• Boost the recruitment of new businesses, and provide additional one-on-one technical assistance
• Provide marketing resources (bilingual) to certified Green Businesses
• Provide fun and informative networking events, and add to our annual event
• Sponsor our annual event celebrating the achievements of our local certified Green Businesses
• All of the above and the recruitment of an assistant to help us exceed our equity and outreach goals

For more details on the benefits of sponsorship, contact Kori at knielsen@environmentalin.com. If you are not a green business, but would still like to support us, you can donate here.

The deadline to apply is December 15th!

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The California Green Business Network and the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County are pleased to present a Sustainable Business Challenge for businesses in Santa Barbara County! Businesses are eligible for $500 in incentives as long as they complete their certification between April 1st and June 30th, 2022. In addition to the $500, newly certified Green Businesses will receive free digital promotion, directory listing, a certificate, and a marketing toolkit upon completion.

Sign up for a free 30 minute info session here today! ¿Prefieres un taller en Español? Regístrese aquí.

Event Details:

Please join community leaders, organizations, partners, and previously certified businesses in recognizing our new Certified Green Businesses. 

Please register here by March 23rd, 2021.

This online event is free to attend! Attendees automatically entered to win amazing prizes and experiences donated by our Green Businesses.

We can't be together to celebrate this year over lunch, but we CAN support local restaurants.  Please consider ordering lunch directly from one of our Green Business certified restaurants here or those certified Clean Creeks restaurants here.

Program:

• Welcoming Remarks: Frances Gilliland, Program Director, Santa Barbara County Green Business Program; Glenn Morris, President & Chief Executive Officer,  Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Keynote Speaker: Kylie Wagner, Farmland Program Director,  Kiss the Ground. 
• Special Guest: Salud Carbajal, U.S. Representative for California's 24th Congressional District
• Prize Drawings
• Recognition of Certified Green Businesses

Luncheon Speakers

Special Guest:

Salud Carbajal, U.S. Representative, 24th Congressional District

Keynote Speaker:

Kylie Wagner, Farmland Program Director, Kiss the Ground

Kylie is a yogi, farmer, and community organizer connecting people through ritual and food. She believes in the power of change at the grassroots level; making conscious food choices that positively impact our health, our environment, and our local economy. Kylie lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she teaches yoga and volunteers on the White Buffalo Land Trust farm. Kylie earned her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from UCLA. Support your local farmers!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

Sponsors will receive special recognition during our celebration. We know this has been a difficult year for everyone in our community, and we appreciate your consideration.  You can make a sponsorship donation here. 

We look forward to seeing you online on March 24th!  Schedule some extra time and join us for a virtual yoga class with Kylie Wagner (more details to come).

If you have any quesitons about the program or sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at Coordinator@GreenBizSBC.org

Here at the Green Business Program we work all year long to spread the word about our certified Green Businesses.  Now more than ever, it is important to support local and small businesses.  Below are some ways you can help keep our vibrant local business community alive and well so we can enjoy them when we can be safely together again.

It is also important to minimize food waste and give back to organizations feeding our neighbors during this time.  Check out the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network's "Stay Home and Eat Local for the Holiday's" and consider donating to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank, Food from the Heart, or charity of your choice working to address food insecurity.

Please, vote with your dollar this holiday season and shop at our local Green Businesses here: https://greenbusinessca.org/find-green-business/ Below are just a few of the many local Green Businesses you can support. 

Le Rev Spa:

Le Reve Organic Spa & Boutique is the first and only green certified spa offering facial specials in Santa Barbara. They strive to use only the finest of organic products in our services. One reason why their skincare has been voted the best in the industry 10 years in a row!

"It is more important than ever to support your favorite green businesses and shop local. Investing in small business is investing in your community. Make it a happy holiday for our community! If things are tight this year you can still invest in your community and support your favorite small businesses by showing a little love online. Follow them on social media. Leave a great review including what you like about them. Repost their specials! Like their posts. Spread the love Santa Barbara. "

Le Rev is offering $25 in spa bucks with all gift card sales of $100 or more this holiday season. Additionally, they are offering a GWP(Free Gift w/Purchase) for all other spa or skincare sales. 

Specials: https://le-reve.com/specials/

Shop: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/Pages/OnlineStore.aspx?studioid=2467&partnerID=0&catid=

"Thank you for helping our green business!"

Riverbench:

"We are actively shipping orders and gifts of wine throughout the US for the holidays – let’s face it, everyone is drinking a little more wine this year, after all!"

Glittered Wine Bottles: Our custom gift bottles are a big hit. Put your request in your order notes or simply email us to add your choice of colored glitter to any bottle for $10.

Virtual Wine Tastings: Did you know that Riverbench can host a wine tasting with your friends, family or co-workers? Drop us a line to learn more.

Allen Construction:

"It’s important to shop local and green this holiday season because it boosts our local economy while helping the planet. We hold a lot of power with our spending and it’s important to use it wisely to ensure they type of world we want to have. Santa Barbara is a unique and amazing community that has so many great businesses owned by our great community members. We need to support them, especially in a year like 2020, by keeping our spending local." -Lindsay Helmick, Chief Financial Officer

Learn more about their sustainable building: https://www.buildallen.com/sustainable-building

California Green Business Network:

Sustainable Gift Ideas
As the holidays quickly approach, the pressure is on to find gifts for loved ones. While we all want to spread joy, we don’t want our environmental footprint to spiral out of control in the process. Read more for tips on choosing thoughtful and green presents. 


The Gift That Keeps Giving: Donate to Non-Profits This Season 
This year, consider donating to CAGBN or a nonprofit of your choice. This is a tax-deductible way to support your community during this time. Click here to find certified Green Business non-profits across the state. You can even donate to the California Green Business Network by clicking here

How to Make Sustainable New Year's Resoluions

After an unprecedentedly challenging year, we are charging into 2021 with resilience. When honoring the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions, we can incorporate our commitment to the environment. Read more for some inspiration for January 1st. 

Tips for Healthy Dining

As we make adjustments to our holiday plans during the COVID-19 pandemic (and some of us host for the first time!) here are some tips for a more eco-friendly meal:

• Shop at local farmers markets
• Use home-grown fruits and veggies when you can
• Choose organic/fair trade produce from stores
• Have vegan/vegetarian options
• Avoid waste! SaveTheFood has a guest-imator tool that will take into account your number of guests, the type of meal and eaters, and how many leftover meals you want to have. It will then give you an estimated amount of each food type you would need for your holiday meal.  Pretty cool!

Healthy Mind:

It has been a difficult year for all us, so it is especially important to take care of yourself. You can't fully help others until you help yourself! Below are links from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mental Health America (MHA) that has tips for dealing with COVID during the holidays.

https://mhanational.org/preparing-holidays-during-covid-19

https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp

Resource Update for Businesses from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce (SBSCCC):

Here is their COVID resource page with updates from standard links from the Small Business Administration (SBA), and US Chamber and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The SBSCCC have been really focusing more recently on advocating to move Santa Barbara County to a defined Tri-County Subregion in response to the Governor’s most recent stay-at-home order to address having our businesses be able to open outdoors. They see this as a primary need for our business community to not face additional economic hardships during this period. 

The Chamber has a number of programs they have implemented to assist businesses in response to the Pandemic through their Chamber including their Roadmap to Recovery which can be found here. Findings from this work will be released starting in January and will be a continued throughout the 2021 year. They also host a monthly virtual B2B (Business-to-Business) networking event through Zoom where businesses can network and connect on a regular basis. Their next B2B event will be Thursday January 28th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. For more information on the event please contact Stephanie Armstrong at Stephanie@SBSCChamber.com

WEV also has a number of resources on their sites including loan opportunities.

There are also additional grant opportunities for Goleta based businesses through the Better Together fund in partnership with the City of Goleta. Those grants can be applied for here.

Have a healthy holidays!

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Want to demonstrate leadership and support of our community and environment? Want to gain access to rebates of up to $500?! These are just a couple of the benefits you will gain from our certification program. There is still time to join us for our introductory academy today!

Contact coordinator@greenbizsbc.org for more details!

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Rebates available to help businesses!

Businesses often ask how much it costs to get certified as a Green Business. There are sometimes costs involved related to making upgrades. The California Green Business Network currently has funds available to help businesses offset these costs and receive Green Business Certification. Not only can a business get certified at no cost, but it can actually get money to help meet the program standards! This is a unique and time-sensitive opportunity.

How much is the rebate?

The rebate is up to $500 per business.

What does my business have to do to qualify for the rebate?

Your business will qualify for the rebate if it gets certified or recertified as a Green Business. This rebate is available to offset costs that a business may encounter in the course of meeting the Green Business standards. 

What is covered by the rebate?

The costs must be related to a specific measure that is on the Green Business checklist. This may include a wide range of improvements such as upgrading lights, installing programmable thermostats and/or occupancy sensors, upgrading toilets, switching to reusables in the kitchen instead of disposables, and more. 

What is the process for getting the rebate?

Contact the Green Business Coordinator before making a purchase to confirm that it will qualify for the rebate. Once the purchase has been approved, submit your receipts and the rebate form that the coordinator will provide. Your rebate will then be processed and you will be reimbursed for the expense.

How long will the rebate be available?

These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis while they last. Act soon to take advantage of this unique opportunity!

Wondering if Green Business Certification is right for your business? Learn more about why you should get certified.

Contact the Santa Barbara County Green Business Director, Frances Gilliland here to learn how your business can get certified and access these funds.

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