The Green Business Program

The City of Morgan Hill is pleased to offer local businesses The Bay Area Green Business Program. Research has proven that many consumers prefer spending their money at businesses that are environmentally responsible. The Green Business Program is the City's way of working in partnership with environmentally proactive businesses to acknowledge the important steps they are taking to protect the environment. Businesses reaching Green Business status receive local media attention, are eligible for regional recognition, and can place the Green Business logo on their marketing materials as long as they are a Green Business.

There are three simple steps to becoming a Green Business.

1. Apply for the program. An extremely brief application is needed to start the process. Click here to download an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the application.
2. Become certified "in compliance." Once a business has applied to the program, local agencies are notified to ensure that the business is meeting its legal environmental obligations. There is nothing required beyond the minimum legal standards.
3. Implement the Green Business Standards . These standards include a menu of environmental protection measures in the areas on water conservation, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and solid waste reduction. City staff work with each business to select the mix of measures that make the most sense for the business AND will save the business the most money. In some instances, standards do not apply due to the nature of the business.

The program is coordinated regionally by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG.) They have developed a comprehensive web site on the Green Business Program. Click here if you would like to visit their site or click here to visit Santa Clara County's Green Business page.