News & Events
Carlsbad City Council recognized the newly certified green businesses
April, 2024
Nineteen Carlsbad businesses that have taken steps to implement environmentally friendly business practices are officially part of the Carlsbad Green Business Program. On April 16, the Carlsbad City Council recognized the newly certified green businesses for demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. The city now has more than 40 businesses certified through the green business network.
The steps to becoming certified vary for each business, but they can include things like switching to paperless recordkeeping, installing solar panels or properly storing and disposing of hazardous waste.
Local businesses are encouraged to learn about the program. It’s free to get certified, and every little action helps make our community more sustainable.
Congratulations to these newly certified green businesses:
- Adobe by Jess Vargas
- BayWa r.e. Wind, LLC
- Beacons, Inc.
- City of Carlsbad – Dove Library
- City of Carlsbad – Fire Station 2
- Fusion Essentials
- Hera Hub Carlsbad
- Koza Law Group, APC
- Marie Monforte Photography
- Napatini Bistro & Wine Bar
- Pro Engineering Consulting
- Pure Project
- Republic Services – Palomar Transfer Station
- Taylor Custom Rings
- The French Delights, LLC
- Viasat – HQ E1
- Vintage Wine Storage
- Visit Carlsbad
- Waste Not Consulting
Carlsbad was the first city in San Diego County to join the California Green Business Network, a statewide network of 4,000 certified businesses in 40 cities that are committed to environmentally sustainable practices.
Studies have shown that practicing sustainability is often good for the local community and good for a business’s bottom line. Reducing water consumption through low-flow devices saves both money and resources. Upgrading lighting to energy-saving fixtures can help reduce costs over the long term. Reducing waste, using environmentally friendly cleaning products and cutting down on the use of toxic chemicals helps a business and its local community.
As part of the network, Carlsbad businesses can access promotions and rebates that help them go green. Participating in the Green Business Network is another way the city is working toward meeting its Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
GelatoLove featured in the State of the City Video!
January 2024 - We're thrilled to announce that one of our Green Businesses was showcased in the Carlsbad 2023 State of the City video.
Congratulations to GelatoLove! We are proud of having both of your locations recognized by our program.
Discover more about the sustainable practices they've embraced to earn their certification as a Green Business, starting at minute 6:50 of the following video.
Carlsbad City Council Recognizes Certified Green Businesses!
On April 18th, 2023, the Carlsbad City Council presented a proclamation recognizing the newly certified Carlsbad Green Business enrrolled in the Carlsbad Green Business, for their contributions to the city’s climate and sustainability goals.
Following the proclamation, during a private mixer held at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, twelve locations were honored for completing the necessary steps to become fully certified. Several other businesses are in the process of completing these requirements.
Congratulations to our certified businesses (in alphabetical order):
1. Au Savon de Provence
2. AVO Café
3. City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department - Pine Community Center
4. Dancin' Soul Boutique
5. Develop your team
6. GelatoLove - Tasting Room & Kitchen
7. GelatoLove - Carlsbad Village
8. Morrison Insurance Services, Inc.
9. Mylene Merlo Inc.
10. Solatube International Inc. - Cousteau
11. Solatube International Inc. - Oak Ridge
12. Wiegand Realty
The certification seal shows their commitment to incorporating sustainable practices into every aspect of their operations, striving to reduce their impact on the environment through sustainable and source reduction initiatives.
Congratulations!
Carlsbad City Council Recognizes Certified Green Businesses!
On May 17, 2022, the Carlsbad City Council presented a proclamation recognizing the Carlsbad Green Business Program and the certified businesses that help to support the city’s climate and sustainability goals. Since the launch of the Carlsbad Green Business Program, ten businesses have completed the necessary steps to become fully certified and several other businesses are in the process of completing these steps. Congratulations to our certified businesses (in alphabetical order):
·Activ8, LLC
·Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
·Calsense
·Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
·Living Design Interiors
·Marcy Browe Photography
·Microscope World
·Old School Shave Ice
·Straight Talk Solar Co.
·Virtual Workplace Solutions
To view the proclamation, click here! (Note: Jump to minute 17:30 for the Carlsbad Green Business Program portion)
The Coast News Group
Carlsbad joins California Green Business Network
December 20, 2019
CARLSBAD —The city is now part of a new green network and is aiming to draw as many businesses as possible.
During its Dec. 10 meeting, the City Council approved the city’s inclusion with the California Green Business Network, which helps businesses establish with being more eco-friendly. As part of the program, if Carlsbad certifies 15 businesses by Feb. 28, 2020, the city will receive a $30,000 grant from the state to augment the program.
Mike Grim, who is overseeing the program, said upgrading will help businesses save money in addition to conserving resources. Also, the city and its contracted partner, Environmental Innovations, Inc., have streamlined the process to make sure small- and medium-sized businesses don’t feel rushed to complete the recommendations.
“The programs are intended to encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to be more sustainable through a certification process,” Grim said. “All the certification areas are not only going to help the business but help the environment. We can walk them through everything. We don’t it to be so daunting that a small business owner … who wants to be sustainable feels it’s out of reach.”
Timaree Nelson of Environmental Innovations said the California Green Business Network is a statewide program with more than 3,100 businesses actively participating. Carlsbad is the first municipality in the county to join the network.
As for the process, business fill out a short application and Nelson’s team from Environmental Innovations will come out for a site visit to walkthrough the property. The checklist depends on the size and sector of each business, so it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Home businesses and those business owners who are tenants can also apply, Grim said. Home businesses are reviewed in their immediate workspaces and bathroom. Tenants, meanwhile, will be reviewed on the items they can control, such as LED light bulbs and water regulators on faucets.
Businesses can qualify for up to a $500 rebate from the state to help ease the burden of the cost for upgrades, Grim said. To become certified only takes a couple of weeks, Nelson said.
The six sectors measured include energy, pollution prevention, wastewater, solid waste, water and community, she said.
“They can get a rebate from us for anything that helps them reach their measures,” Nelson said. “We contact them and start the process. There are core measures they have to meet.”
According to the California Green Business Network, in 2018 those in the network saved $7 million in utility costs, 64 million gallons of water, 50 million kilowatts of energy, reduced greenhouse gasses by 110,000 metric tons and diverted 33,000 metric tons of waste from landfills.
Most of those businesses part of the green network are classified as small- to medium-size, Grim said. Of the 5,353 businesses in the city, 88% are considered small or medium, he said.
Some of the aspects Environmental Innovations will review include water flow from faucets and sinks, lighting, landscaping (if applicable) and appliances.
Bret Schanzenbach, chief executive officer of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, said his organization is currently going through the process to show leadership and initiative. He said the process has been enlightening as the reviewers have found small gaps in places he didn’t think to look, such as energy-efficient appliances.
The chamber’s Green Business Committee partnered with the city to bring the program its businesses, Schanzenbach said.
“We wanted to get certified to be a leader and encourager of the program,” he said. “We wanted to actually engage in the process to say this is a legit thing and encourage our members to participate. It’s a very comprehensive program.”
Steve Puterski covers Carlsbad and Vista. For tips or story ideas, contact him at steve.puterski@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @StevePuterski.
City of Carlsbad News Update
Carlsbad Green Business Network
The City of Carlsbad is the first city in San Diego County to join the California Green Business Network, a statewide network of 4,000 certified businesses in 40 cities that are committed to environmentally sustainable practices.
As part of the California Green Business Network, small to medium sized businesses in Carlsbad can now get certified, have access to energy-saving resources and save money while practicing sustainability.
In addition, the City of Carlsbad is now eligible for $30,000 in state grant funds if it certifies 15 businesses as green businesses by Feb. 28, 2020.
To become certified, businesses apply for certification through the local program administrator whom the city has contracted with, Environmental Innovations, Inc. Environmental Innovations will then support businesses to meet a number of environmental standards and adopt an environmental policy statement. Certified Green businesses exceed all environmental regulations and implement specific practices to reduce pollution, save water and energy and protect human health.
Studies have shown that practicing sustainability is often good for the local community and good for a business’s bottom line. Reducing water consumption through low-flow devices saves both money and resources. Upgrading lighting to energy-saving fixtures can help reduce costs over the long term. Reducing waste, using environmentally friendly cleaning products and cutting down on the use of toxic chemicals helps a business and its local community.
The California Green Business Network is funded in part by the California Environmental Protection Agency. As part of the network, Carlsbad businesses gain access to promotions, financing and rebates that help them go green.
Launching the Green Business Network locally in Carlsbad is also another way the city is working toward meeting Climate Action Plan goals which is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor.
More Information
- Learn about joining the Carlsbad Green Business Network here.
- Mike Grim, Climate Action Plan Administrator, mike.grim@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-4623
December 11, 2019
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Eco Tour 2019
November 12 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
$10
PRESENTED BY:
*Join the Green Business Committee as we visit two Carlsbad Chamber businesses – Viasat, Inc. and ZUZA LLC – who have adopted sustainable best practices throughout their company. Learn firsthand what they did and how it is making their business prosper.
Check in and breakfast at the Chamber at 8:00 a.m. Must travel with pre-arranged carpool to participate.
Deadline to RSVP is Nov. 1
The Eco Tour is held instead of the regular committee meeting.