Certified green
When I first began SquirrelPrintz I didn’t know I wanted to be a green business I just wanted to be able to create designs for others. But by the end of my very first year I had figured out where and how I intended to be different from just another print shop up the block. Coming from a community already hard hit by pollution and environmental inequality, I knew I didn’t want to run an operation that contributed to that. So I began studying and taking measures to ensure that my shop could be as eco friendly as possible. This effort has been ongoing and far from 100% but I am proud to announce that as of December 2023, I was able to obtain Green Business Certification from CAGBN (California Green Business Network) by completing the 43 measures mandated.
“Congratulations! On behalf of the City of LA, please accept our sincere appreciation for the efforts you and your business have taken to conserve resources and prevent pollution. Your contributions help make Los Angeles a more sustainable community.”
I originally sought certification in 2021 but got sidetracked and didn’t complete the application. After winning the Intuit Efficiency mini grant in October of last year, It renewed my interest in completing the measures. Getting this certificate shows that I am committed to taking action to conserve resources and prevent pollution in both my shop and daily operations. It also means that my business complies with environmental regulations in the areas of waste, energy, water, pollution prevention, and air quality.
Later on this year, I plan to go a step further and receive Innovator status which is the highest level of certification that the California Green Business Network offers to businesses that have met the highest verifiable standards of sustainability, go above and beyond to combat climate change, and work toward social equity by providing additional employee benefits and community resources.
The CAGBN is actively recruiting businesses to get certified. It offers offers free technical assistance to help throughout the process, and provides incentives such as rebates, community recognition, and free advertising to businesses who get fully certified. if you are interested in getting your business certified, check out https://greenbusinessca.org
