Title
Green Business Leader Program Expansion
Description
This report provides an update to the Water, Wastewater, Infrastructure and Sustainability Subcommittee about the expansion of the Phoenix Green Business Leader (GBL) program which encourages Phoenix businesses to incorporate sustainability into their everyday actions.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
In 2013, the Mayor and City Council established a citywide goal to increase Phoenix's waste diversion rate to 40 percent by the year 2020. To meet this goal, the Public Works Department launched the Reimagine Phoenix Initiative, which focuses on new and enhanced solid waste services; expanded educational and community outreach; and creation of public-private partnerships to further waste diversion.
The Public Works Department implemented the GBL program in February 2017 under the third focus area of the Reimagine Phoenix Initiative; creation of public-private partnerships to further waste diversion in the City. The GBL program initially focused solely on waste diversion-related activities such as recycling or composting. Once certified as a GBL, businesses receive many different benefits including:
- A certificate and window decal to display in their business, conveying their commitment to recycling and sustainability;
- A plaque acknowledging their participation in the program;
- An electronic version of the program logo to use in their promotional materials;
- Technical assistance and guidance about waste diversion and strategies to reduce waste;
- An invitation to an annual recognition event with City leadership;
- Cross-marketing and cross-promotion opportunities;
- Access to City recycling labels and signage; and,
- Access to Public Works staff for custom recycling education, trainings and recycling facility tours
A year after the program's commencement, 42 businesses had joined the GBL program, many of which had taken advantage of the various benefits offered by the program.
2018 Expansion
In an effort to improve the program and provide additional value to Phoenix businesses, the Public Works Department partnered with the Water Services Department, the Office of Sustainability, and the Office of Environmental Programs to expand the City's GBL program. City staff researched municipal Green Business programs from across the country and found that many programs focus on a holistic approach to sustainability including: Austin, Texas; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; and Seattle, Wash. In the summer of 2018, the City's expanded program officially launched and recognizes businesses for efforts around water conservation, energy efficiency and sustainable purchasing, in addition to waste diversion. The expansion also includes a three-tiered certification system of green, gold or platinum level, depending on the number of sustainable actions a business achieves within their business practices. Furthermore, the Water Services Department offers additional benefits to the program including a free water efficiency check-up to identify water saving opportunities. As of March 2019, 64 businesses are currently participating in the GBL program.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Public Works Department.