By Khalida Sarwari
Twenty West Valley businesses made the list of 100 recently honored by the county for being environmentally friendly.
The Sereno Group offices in Saratoga and Los Gatos, Andale Mexican restaurants in Los Gatos and the Groupware Technology building in Campbell all made the cut.
In a statement released by the county on Sept. 20, Santa Clara Board of Supervisors president Ken Yeager expressed his appreciation for the growing list of certified green businesses.
“Government cannot reverse climate change on its own,” Yeager said. “Local businesses are a crucial component in creating a healthier environment for Santa Clara County residents.”
The county’s green business program certifies businesses that exceed standard environmental compliance required by local regulators. In addition to businesses, the program also certifies public agency departments, including city halls and community centers. City-owned facilities in all three municipalities were on the certified list. Campbell, for example, has been using solar, among other green products at all city buildings and park restrooms.
Saratoga has established an policy to promote the purchase of goods and services that are “environmentally preferable.” The city has also purchased and installed numerous environmentally friendly products, including Energy Star refrigerators, printers and copiers, energy efficient and environmentally friendly HVAC units, T-8 fluorescent bulbs and electronic ballasts, electrical vehicle chargers, green certified paper products, cleaners and vacuums and water efficient toilets and faucets.
The town of Los Gatos is getting recertified for the second time, according to Lisa Rose, green business coordinator for the Santa Clara County green business program. The town was initially certified in 2006 and recertified in 2010. Saratoga was originally certified in 2008 and recertified in June 2013. The Campbell Community Center was certified in 2008 and the Campbell City Hall was certified in April 2008, recertified in September.
Other Los Gatos businesses recognized include CPR Training Solutions, Cristina Herrera DDS, Double D’s Sports Grille, Erik Swanson Orthodontics, Eucalyptus Magazine, FMS Reliability, H.T. Harvey & Associates, Integra Insurance Services, Kitchens of Los Gatos, Los Gatos Parent Nursery School, MyGreenFunds, Nirvana Aveda Concept Salon, Oak Meadow Dental Center, Presentation Center, RMR Financial, The Young Professionals, Inc., Tigo Energy, Inc. and We’ve Got Your Back.
As part of the certification process, each business undergoes a rigorous review of its energy efficiency, recycling, water conservation and pollution prevention practices. The business must complete one of 18 industry-specific checklists, after which each environmental measure is verified by a specialist from the county’s Integrated Waste Management Division. Moreover, each business must demonstrate compliance with state and local environmental regulations.
The certification is valid for three years, unless a business changes location or ownership or falls out of compliance. Checklists are regularly updated to reflect advances made in technology and changes in regulations. During recertification, the program staff looks for ways the business has demonstrated continued improvement in all aspects of their operations. For the 2012-13 fiscal year, 47 businesses were certified for the first time, 42 were recertified, and 11 were recertified for the second time.
Since the green business program was launched in 1999, more than 650 businesses have been certified in the county. The program works in partnership with local cities, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
To see a complete list of green businesses that were certified in fiscal year 2012-13, visitgreenbusinessca.org/directory/search/?primary_category=&;city=&county=Santa+Clara&company_name=&zipcode=.
County honors local businesses for being green, leaving others just green with envy
