Tag Archives: covid19

How Small Businesses Can Temporarily Adapt

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Fire and Small Business Resources


Photo: Dagmar Dolatschko

The most recent updates are added at the top. (Last Updated: 8/26/20)

California Fire Resources:

Local, State, and Federal Guidance to Businesses:

Webinars/Videos: 

COVID-19 Resources:

Other Resources:

Have a resource to add? Email it to sorgelolson@environmentalin.com

 

How Small Businesses Can Temporarily Adapt

Author: Josephine Fleming, Executive Director of the California Green Business Network

As the president of a small business in Santa Cruz, and the Executive Director of a nonprofit serving small and medium-sized businesses across California, I have a deep appreciation of the dilemmas and decisions business owners face today. We are making decisions with many uncertainties, knowing they directly impact our employees, customers, and our own bottom line. 

Given our focus on costs and profit, and knowing that in the midst of this crisis we’re unlikely to increase revenue, we may well choose to cut staff. And frankly, for some that may be the only path. For other businesses, it may be time for a deep breath and to rethink options to stay afloat until more information is available. 

I propose that, instead of preemptively cutting staff expenses, business owners consider using this downtime to complete important, cost-saving projects that in busier times often get overshadowed by urgent tasks. 

I encourage business owners to use this time to consider how they can broaden their calculation of the bottom line to include people and planet — the so-called triple bottom line. If you’re a business owner that can keep staff even a few more days, why not: 

  • Use this time to educate staff on clean and green practices and demonstrate your commitment to a green future.
  • Research and purchase cleaning products that are hygienic without being toxic. 
  • Schedule consultations with solar companies to start saving now on energy bills.
  • Sign up for the myriad of online tools that help reduce your energy bills.
  • Set up online billing and other paper-saving systems to save money and reduce waste.
  • Research long-term cost-cutting as well as revenue-generating projects.
  • Engage green experts at no cost to help you overcome the heightened public health needs of today without creating public and environmental health hazards tomorrow.

Our team continues to work to assist businesses to become Certified Green Businesses during this time, providing remote assistance through phone and web video. If interested, enroll here. For currently certified businesses, many of our Green Business Programs can offer remote review for your upcoming recertifications.

The latest research and trends in countries that first had cases of COVID-19 suggest that within the next couple of weeks, the scale of its reach will be more clear. That knowledge will help us all plan better. Meanwhile, let’s be creative. Let’s use what resources we have to create and invest in long term benefits for our people, planet and profit.

Green Business Cleaning and Disinfecting During COVID-19

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Colorful Spray Bottles COVID-19 Coronavirus

One thing is clear: We are entering a public health crisis and it is time to do our part to minimize the risk to the most vulnerable in society. Cleaning and disinfecting are part of the toolkit that is required to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak. Frequently touched surfaces throughout our houses and places of work are a great place to introduce best practices. There are ways to manage proper cleaning and disinfection without compromising our health and Green Business Practices by using safer, less toxic products. Many of our Certified Green Businesses asked for guidance on this and the California Green Business Network is happy to share it broadly.

Now might be the perfect time to get Certified as a Green Business with the California Green Business Network. We can do the work with your business virtually. Find out how at www.greenbusinessca.org. The California Green Business Network is a non-profit that helps local businesses conserve energy, water, minimize waste, prevent pollution, and shrink their carbon footprints. Your donation will help us serve small businesses, in diverse communities, throughout the state. Donate Here

1. Cleaning

Start by cleaning high touch surfaces with soap and water. Wear reusable gloves while cleaning and make sure they are only used for cleaning against COVID-19. After cleaning with gloves, wash your hands with soap and water immediately. See the full guidance from the CDC here. The California Green Business Network (CAGBN) always recommends that our businesses use cleaning chemicals (including soap) that are GreenSeal, EPA Safer Choice, or EWG ‘B’ rated or higher to make sure they’re the best for human health.

2. Disinfecting

Let’s clear the air on sanitizers: CAGBN regularly recommends using the least toxic disinfectants possible for the job. We are pleased that many of the products we regularly recommend are on the “EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus…” list, and want to share those with you as well. Our friends at Green Seal also put out a guide to disinfection and so did the Environmental Working Group.

Hydrogen Peroxide-based Cleaners

    • Peroxide Multi-Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant
    • Peroxide Disinfectant and Glass Cleaner RTU
    • Clorox Commercial Solutions® Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant – Spray
    • Clorox Commercial Solutions® Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant – Wipes
    • Oxivir Wipes
    • Oxy-Team Disinfectant Cleaner
    • Oxivir Tb
    • Oxivir 1
    • Oxivir 1 Wipes

Ethyl Alcohol-based Cleaners

    • URTH PRO
    • Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes
    • Purell Multi-Surface Disinfectant

Thymol-Based Cleaners

    • Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray Eucalyptus, Spearmint & Thyme
    • Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray, Fresh Citrus & Thyme
    • Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray, Lavender Vanilla & Thyme
    • Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, Lemongrass Citrus Scent Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

The List of Better Active Ingredients (if it’s not on here, it’s probably best to avoid)

    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
    • Citric acid
    • L-lactic acid
    • Caprylic acid (octanoic acid)
    • Thymol

3. How to Make a DIY Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner, from Consumer Reports:

According to the CDC, household (3 percent) hydrogen peroxide is effective in deactivating rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold, within 6 to 8 minutes of exposure. Rhinovirus is more difficult to destroy than coronaviruses, so hydrogen peroxide should be able to break down coronavirus in less time. Pour it undiluted into a spray bottle and spray it on the surface to be cleaned, but let it sit on the surface for several minutes.” Note it may discolor fabrics.

IMPORTANT: Good surface cleaning and sanitizers won’t be enough to slow the pandemic. Make sure to follow the CDC’s full set of recommendations to prevent COVID-19 illness:

    • Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water, count to 20 and get the backs of hands, between fingers, etc.!o If no water around is hand sanitizers with 60+ alcohol
    • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Work from home (if possible) and offer this option to your employees. This helps slow the spread and has proven to reduce air pollution which is helpful when dealing with respiratory illnesses.
    • Expand paid sick leave.
    • Cancel in-person meetings and events.
    • Keep your distance from others (six feet+), COVID-19 can be spread through the air just by breathing.

If you’re at all sick:

    • Stay home and avoid contact with others – review CDC isolation recommendations.
    • Cover your cough, sneeze into a tissue then throw away and wash your hands immediately.
    • Wear a face mask when you’re around anyone else.
    • Contact a medical professional if your symptoms match those of COVID-19, and ask for instructions on what to do next.