Evergreen Printing has multiple long-standing environmental certifications from public entities, including being an Alameda County Certified Green Business through the California Green Business Network (CGBN), an East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) WaterSmart business, and a Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Spare the Air employer. In the Bay Area, we are fortunate to have respected environmental certification programs that do not require businesses to pay in order to be certified.

(1) Alameda County Certified Green Business:  Alameda County is the local partner for the highly respected statewide green business program called the California Green Business Network (CGBN). The CGBN is a network of local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California. The program is funded by contributions from local government and utility partners to make it accessible to small to medium-sized businesses in California. Certified green businesses exceed all environmental regulations and implement specific practices to reduce waste and pollution (solid, water, and air), reduce water usage, lessen energy consumption, and protect human health. This comprehensive environmental certification program looks at every facet of Evergreen Printing and requires inspections from the CGBN, City of Oakland, Oakland Fire Department, Alameda County Department of Environmental Health, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. As part of this certification, I have written an exhaustive “Purchasing Policy” document that covers every aspect of Evergreen Printing’s environmental impact in minute detail. I will supply a copy of this document upon request. Evergreen Printing has been a certified Alameda County Green Business since 2004!

(2) East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) WaterSmart Business:  EBMUD began this program in 2010 to encourage businesses to reduce their water consumption. Certification requires completion of paperwork, a review of current water usage, and an onsite inspection of the property, inside and outside. All fixtures (faucets, showerheads, and toilets) and landscaping are inspected to make sure that they comply with efficiency ratings and that there are no leaks. Evergreen Printing has been a certified EMBUD WaterSmart Business since 2015.

(3) Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Spare the Air Employer Program:  Spare the Air was created in 1991 by the BAAQMD to alert residents when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy and to share information on ways to reduce air pollution. The Employer Program requires a commitment from businesses to educate their employees about alternatives to driving alone and notifying them about these alternatives prior to Spare the Air alerts. The reason why this program is relevant to Evergreen Printing as a one person shop is because I never drive to/from work, I group my vehicle trips and deliveries to minimize driving, and my air emissions from my printing business are extremely low. So, I treat every day like it is a Spare the Air day. Evergreen Printing has been a member of the BAAQMD’s Spare the Air Employer Program since 2017.