Introduction | Network vs. Certification | Incentives | Why Join the Network  | Why Get Certified | Certification Process  | Certified Green Businesses in La Mesa | California Green Business Outcomes  

Introduction

The City of La Mesa is partnering with the San Diego Regional Green Business Network to offer a local green business certification program in support of the City’s commitment to environmental sustainability through the successful implementation of the Climate Action Plan (CAP). 

Through this partnership, we will have our own La Mesa Green Business Network (GBN), which will act as a hub for businesses in La Mesa that are striving to be sustainable, as well as businesses that already are! Through the GBN, businesses will be provided with free sustainability resources, educational events, and opportunities to network. Additionally, businesses can join the La Mesa GBN at no cost to officially become a certified California Green Business. They will receive ongoing support with certification assistance, business evaluations, and promotions throughout the process.

Green Business Network Vs. Green Business Certification

For further clarification, there is a difference between the La Mesa GBN and the Green Business Certification. By signing up for the Green Business Network, you will be provided with the opportunity to get certified, but signing up does not automatically mean you are certified. Rather, you will need to work closely with an environmental consultant, provided on behalf of the network, to meet a certain number of key targets across a variety of sectors. See below for a more detailed description of the certification process.

If you are not ready to pursue full certification but are interested in trying to be more sustainable, we highly encourage you to sign up for the GBN anyway for resource-sharing and sustainability inspiration and guidance.

Any business within La Mesa can join the La Mesa Green Business Network for free.

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES AND TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A CERTIFIED GREEN BUSINESS. 

Incentives 

As part of the La Mesa Green Business Network, the California Green Business Network is offering a SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS CHALLENGE for businesses across California! All businesses are eligible for at least $500 in rebate incentives for approved green purchasing as long as they complete their Green Business Certification by Earth Day 2023 (April 22). BIPOC businesses are potentially eligible for an additional $500 in rebate incentives.

In addition to the rebates, newly certified Green Businesses will receive free paid ads, a directory listing, a certificate, and a marketing toolkit upon completion. All successful challengers will be entered into a drawing for a professional photo and/or video shoot as well.

The Sustainable Business Challenge is a time-sensitive offer. In order to participate, the priority deadline to enroll is January 31st, 2023. Businesses can still sign up after as time and space allow. Fill out the form above to be connected with the environmental consultant as soon as possible.

The $500 rebate incentives are still available outside of the Sustainable Business Challenge as funds allow.

Why Join The La Mesa Green Business Network?

Joining the Green Business Network is a great way to get connected with the most up-to-date La Mesa sustainability news and expand your network. Through the network, you will have access to:

• Email updates with sustainability events hosted by the City of La Mesa
• Information about green business resources and programming
• Networking opportunities with other La Mesa businesses

Why Get Certified?

Click here for a more detailed look at the benefits of having a green business certification.

What Does the Green Business Certification Look Like?

In order to achieve your Green Business Certification, you will work closely with a consultant— provided free of cost — to guide you through the process step-by-step.

You will be required to meet a specific number of core measures and a certain amount of elective measures. Exact measures will vary by business, particularly by type of business and location. The measures that businesses are required to meet fall under the following categories:

• Energy
• Pollution Prevention
• Solid Waste
• Transportation
• Wastewater
• Water
• Community

 Process: 

1. You will meet with your sustainability consultant to go through an overview of what the certification process looks like, including a comprehensive review of the web-based platform you will use to track progress. This may require multiple visits or meetings. The consultant will take note of evidence of things your business is already doing to meet requirements.
2. You will start to gather documents to show compliance with the certification requirements. These documents and notes will be added onto your profile on Greenbiz Tracker under each measure as proof of compliance. Your consultant is available for assistance throughout this process and will regularly review your documentation.
3. Once documentation has been reviewed, you will schedule an onsite audit with your consultant. The final audit involves spot checking, verifying products, and confirmation of overall compliance.
4. When you are officially certified, you will be provided with physical documentation to place in your window, and you will be given access to the Green Business Network marketing toolkit. You will also receive recognition at conferences, shoutouts on social media, and other free business advertisements through the GBN.

Time Frame:
The time it takes to complete certification will vary widely from business to business, mainly being dependent on the baseline a business is entering the process at and the amount of time a business is willing to put toward the process in any given timeline.

It may take you 3 to 6 months to achieve full certification, but it is possible to achieve certification within a matter of weeks as well. You will probably have a better idea of a time estimate after your first meeting with the environmental consultant.

Maintenance: 
The Green Business certification lasts 4 years. You will receive notification when you are due for recertification, but it should be a relatively quick process. You will need to update your GreenBiz profile, verify the checklist, schedule a site visit/audit, and upload any documents that prove compliance. There may be some changes to the checklist each time you recertify, but there should not be anything too drastic.

Fill out this form to sign up for email updates and to begin the process of becoming a Certified Green Business

* Note: Filling out the form will sign you up for the GBN, but you must check the green business certification box if you want to be connected with the consultant to walk you through the certification process.

Certified Green Businesses in La Mesa

*When you receive your Green Business Certification, we will feature you right here on our webpage.