The city of Encinitas and Encinitas Chamber of Commerce recognized the nonprofit Solana Center for Environmental Innovation on Oct. 29 as the latest community merchant to become a certified green business.
Several businesses throughout Encinitas have been recognized for their commitment to environmentally sustainable business operations with each achieving designation as a California Certified Green Business. Businesses that have taken action to divert waste, conserve energy, limit water use and other sustainable practices are eligible to receive the California green business certification.
“Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is pleased to be recognized as a Green Business, which fully aligns with our environmental mission,” Executive Director Jessica Toth said. “We are working to create a world in which all landfills and oceans are free of discarded resources. I hope that our involvement with the Green Business Network will encourage other organizations to learn about the features of a green business and to pursue certification.”
Earlier this the year, the city of Encinitas, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Green Building Council California partnered to create a local Encinitas Green Business Network. As a result of the partnership, businesses have numerous resources to advance sustainable business practices and are able to obtain California green business certification for free.
“It has been a pleasure assisting the Solana Center and Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants achieve their California Green Business Certifications,” said Robert Carr, U.S. Green Building Council California training and program manager. “By becoming more sustainable businesses, they have reduced their environmental impacts, reduced operating costs and become role models for other businesses to acquire the certification.”
A second green ribbon cutting was held on Nov. 12 with long-standing green business Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants. Owned by Dr. Kanika Bemeby and Gaurav Vij, Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants has been a certified green business since 2022.
“The green business certification has helped our small business keep the environment top of mind on a daily basis and cut operational costs,” Gaurav said.
“We are pleased to see businesses take advantage of the value that green practices provide to customers, employees, and their bottom line through the green business certification program,” said Crystal Najera, the city’s sustainability manager.
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