Green Business Program
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Green Purchasing Information, Guides, and Case Study Documents
For Hawaii Green Business Program brochure, CLICK HERE.
For Hawaii Green Business Program enrollment form, CLICK HERE.
For Hawaii Green Business Program checklists for GREEN HOTELS & RESORTS, CLICK HERE.
For Hawaii Green Business Program checklists for GREEN OFFICE & RETAIL, CLICK HERE.
For Hawaii Green Business Program Green Tips, CLICK HERE.
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Program Description:
The Green Business Program is a partnership between the Departments of Health; and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, working together with to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. The program helps businesses to go beyond compliance to conserve energy, water and other resources, and to reduce pollution and waste. This program also provides valuable opportunities for industry members to share information on practices that have been implemented which save money and conserve our precious natural resources.
Due to the large number of visitors in Hawaii, and the potential for significant resource reduction through conservation, the Green Business Program initially focused on the hotel industry. Subpartners and participants in the Hotel Industry Program include:
* Department of Land and Natural Resources
* Hawaii Department of Water
* Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association
* Hawaiian Electric Company
* Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
* Honolulu Board of Water Supply
* Kauai Department of Water
* Maui Department of Water Supply
* Sheraton Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii
* Aloha Shares
* Baseyard Hawaii
This Program will branch out to other industries, targeting green offices and commercial buildings. Since the program builds on the participation and energy of corporations that serve as leaders within their industry, please consider having your company join in the Green Business Program.
Benefits of a Green Business:
It's Profitable
The Green Business Program creates a profitable partnership between government, business and a concerned public that benefits the environment, increases operating efficiency, and improves the "bottom line." In addition to free onsite compliance assistance, positive public recognition and business promotion, businesses that become green can:
Criteria for a Green Business:
Compliance and Beyond
To become a green business, first bring your operations into compliance with all environmental regulations. Then, go beyond compliance to meet the general practices and targeted resource conservation and pollution prevention measures which are summarized below.
General Practices
- Monitor, record, and post rates of water and energy usage and solid and hazardous waste generation.
- Participate in on-going training opportunities and provide incentives to encourage management and employee participation.
- Inform your customers about your business' efforts to meet the Green Business Standards.
- Assist at least one other business in learning about the Green Business Program and encourage them to enroll.
Levels
There are three different levels in which your business can be recognized:Level 1 - Your business agrees to participate and share information in your industry by attending meetings and training sessions and becomes an active participant in forums and training sessions that we conduct or co-sponsor. These training sessions will provide information on practices covered in the self-audit.
Level 2 - Participants will be given a voluntary self-audit industry specific checklists to evaluate your practices. Credit may be taken for measures implemented and proven cost effective. Results of the self-audit will include documented cost savings, energy savings, water savings, waste diverted and reduced, and pollution prevention practices implemented.
Level 3 - Implementation of practices from the self-audit checklist. Demonstrate a willingness to implement innovative conservation measures.
Different Sectors for Green Business
- Office/Retail:
- Restraunts:
- Green Hotels:
Green Hotels are businesses that are committed to conserving Hawaii’s natural resources by implementing practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of solid waste generated. Some hotels, for example, are taking extra measures by providing towel and sheet changing cards which “ask that guests consider using their linens more than once” (www.greenhotels.com). In addition to accommodations, hotels provide many services for its guests, such as food, beverage, and laundry services, and a variety of recreational opportunities. All of these services provide opportunities for hotels to conduct “green” business practices.
The tourism industry, that encompasses the hotel industry, is one of Hawaii's most important resources. Tourism accounts for a "quarter of the Hawaiian economy and approximately a third of its jobs"(Ernst & Young LLP). By 2010, Hawaii Travel & Tourism is expected to produce $ 14.0 billion of economic activity and 241,200 jobs (WTTC Hawaii Tourism Report, 1999). In 2000, the hotel industry reported room revenues that topped $1 billion, a record year in which nearly 7 million visitors came to the isles (Hospitality Advisors LLC). With over 914 properties for lodging and over 70,783 rooms (The State of Hawaii Data Book 2002), it is easy to see that the tourism industry offers a tremendous number of pollution prevention opportunities.
The "Hawaii Green Business Program"is a local network of public and private agencies that is working together to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally friendly way. This web-site represents the efforts of their coordination to promote the “Hawaii Green Business Program” among the local hotels and businesses and to stimulate and facilitate action on matters concerning environmental regulations and conservation.
The Green Business program includes a focus on Green Hotels; Water Conservation; Energy Conservation; Waste Reduction & Pollution Prevention ; Indoor Air Quality; and Events that provide information and recognition to local businesses and hotels about resource conservation.
Resources
- State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
- Energy Efficient Building Guidelines
- http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/
- State of Hawaii, Department of Health
- Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch