Conservation Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Green Business Program

If you are a business owner in the Hawaiian Islands you should consider becoming part of the Hawai‘i Green Business Program.

The Green Business Program assists and recognizes businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way.

The Hawai‘i Green Business Program is a partnership between the Departments of Health; Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

These groups are working together to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way, and also helping businesses to go beyond compliance to conserve energy, water and other resources.  Other goals are to reduce pollution and waste and share information about conserving resources while at the same time saving money.

Some of the specific goals include providing a safer workplace, motivating and recognizing workers’ environmental efforts, establish good relationships with regulators, attracting environmentally conscious customers, improving the performance of equipment and systems, and reducing waste and utility costs.

Criteria for a Green Business
The first goal in becoming a Green Business is to come into compliance with all environmental regulations, and then to go beyond compliance to implement conservation and pollution prevention measures.  This may include monitoring water use and solid waste generation, training employees, and informing customers.  Participants are also asked to assist at least one other business in learning about Green Business practices.

Resources
State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Energy Efficient Building Guidelines

State of Hawaii, Department of Health
Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
City & County of Honolulu / Refuse Division
Honolulu Board of Water Supply / Water Conservation

U.S Environmental Protection Agency
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

U.S Department of Energy
Energy Star