This week on It's Your City, Bill Chernock, executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, discusses the region-wide Green Business Improvement Group program, otherwise known as Green BIG.
The Green Business Improvement Group is a cooperative made up of community leaders, environmental experts, and business leaders from Carson City, Douglas County and Lyon County.
The group’s mission is to recognize businesses for green business practices; to educate business owners on best environmental business practices; and to encourage citizens in the community to support green businesses and to understand why environmental sustainability is important.
To get involved businesses are encouraged to fill in a green business checklist to measure their level of “green” or environmental friendliness and are promoted on the chamber websites as green businesses. Based upon their own self-assessment, qualifying businesses will be awarded a level of environmental performance of bronze, silver, gold or platinum. Over time, businesses will be encouraged to go up the ranks in terms of their sustainability practices.
You can find them on Facebook here.
“Being green is no longer a 'fad' and many businesses — large and small — are now embracing the concept of being “green” as their way of doing business while protecting the environment and reducing costs,” said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.
“There are a variety of reasons to go green, but most come back to supply and demand," said Jojo Myers, president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. "We have a limited amount of resources available and more and more people using them up. If we want our future generations to enjoy the same standard of living we've experienced, we need to take action. Greening business is great for three reasons: Environment, Savings, and Health.”
Interested businesses can begin by filling out the green business checklist. Members of the GBIG Board will review the survey and approved applicants will receive a green business certificate that they can use to promote their companies.
It's Your City is a weekly program aimed at keeping citizens informed about city government, organizations and happenings around Carson City, Nev. Go here to learn more about Access Carson City Television.