The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce has become the first
nonprofit organization here to get certified as a green business
through the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program. Visitors to
Monday’s Green Ribbon Cutting at the chamber office at 5:30 p.m.
can get information on becoming green certified. After the event,
the Hollister City Council at its 6:30 p.m. meeting is set to
recognize the chamber for its achievement.
HOLLISTER
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce has become the first nonprofit organization here to get certified as a green business through the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program.
The local chamber accomplished the recognition by meeting all of the program’s requirements for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste.
Representatives from the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program had come out and informed the chamber how its employees would have to change resources or practices to get green certified, said Jessica French, the chamber’s president and CEO.
She noted that visitors to next Monday’s Green Ribbon Cutting at the chamber office at 5:30 p.m. can get information on becoming green certified. After the event, the Hollister City Council at its 6:30 p.m. meeting is set to recognize the chamber for its achievement.
French said it is important for the chamber to be green certified because such practices have a far-reaching impact on the health and well-being of businesses and residents here.
“We feel it is important that we are a leader in going green for our business community because we believe in creating a healthy working environment for employees, conservation, and environmental protection awareness and education,” French said.
As the first nonprofit organization to get certified with the group, the chamber joins three other businesses with green certification as well. They include Hansen and Company, Wastewater Solutions and Vista Notes.
For the chamber, meeting the requirements meant such alterations as changing drinking water and recycling habits. The chamber also became more aware of light usage and switched from a monthly, printed newsletter to a monthly e-newsletter.
According to a chamber press release, members that sign up to be green certified will get a free flier insert in the e-newsletter. Once the chamber’s new Web site is done, the nonprofit also plans to give special recognition to such certified businesses.
For more information on the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program, click here.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Green business ribbon-cutting ceremony
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17
WHERE: SBC Chamber, 651 San Benito St.
