On April 29, the Carlsbad City Council recognized 15 local businesses that have taken steps to implement environmentally friendly practices through the Carlsbad Green Business Program. Ten businesses were certified for the first time and five businesses completed the city’s first-ever recertification process.

The steps to become certified vary for each business, but can include things like installing low-flow water fixtures, upgrading lighting to more energy-efficient systems and improving how waste is sorted and disposed of.

Congratulations to these newly certified green businesses:

• Bamby’s Flowers
• Carlsbad Pipelines
• City of Carlsbad Faraday Center
• City of Carlsbad Stagecoach Community Center
• Illuminous Marketing
• La Costa Neighbors Magazine
• New Village Arts
• Shout and About
• Smartville Inc.
• Verdani Partners

Businesses must complete a full recertification every four years to show that their sustainable practices remain in place or have been enhanced. These businesses were recertified this year:

• Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
• Living Design Interiors
• Marcy Browe Photography
• Microscope World
• Straight Talk Solar Co.

Carlsbad was the first city in San Diego County to join the California Green Business Network, a statewide network of more than 4,000 certified businesses committed to environmentally sustainable practices.

Studies have shown that practicing sustainability is often good for the local community and good for a business’s bottom line. Reducing water consumption through low-flow devices saves both money and resources. Upgrading lighting to energy-saving fixtures can help reduce costs over the long term. Reducing waste, using environmentally friendly cleaning products and cutting down on the use of toxic chemicals helps a business and its local community.

It’s free to get certified, and every little action helps make our community more sustainable. Businesses also gain access to promotions, rebates and technical assistance through the network. Participating in the program is another way the city is working toward meeting its Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

More information
Carlsbad Green Business Program