Culver City Sustainable Business Certification Program (CCSBCP)

BALANCEDAPPROACH teamed up with Santa Monica-based Sustainable Works to co-create and manage an innovative Two-Tier Sustainable Business Certification program for the City of Culver City with custom-designed office, retail and restaurant checklists.  The checklists include forming policies and implementing green building measures including energy and water conservation, renewable energy, waste reduction and pollution prevention; active, public and alternative transportation guidelines; and corporate social responsibility criteria.

BALANCEDAPPROACH associates work closely with participating businesses to assist them with the necessary progress to obtain certification, including on-site assessments, customized action plans with supportive resources, and as many follow up communications as necessary to ensure program criteria is met. CCSBCP Strategic partners include SoCal Edison, SoCal Gas and Golden State Water, which generously providing participating businesses with free ultra-low flow toilets and valves, and LED lighting retrofits, as well as special rebates.  Other key partners include the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association.

Culver City Businesses that meet the first level criteria of the Certification Program become “Certified” while businesses that meet the second level criteria become a “Certified Innovator.” Certified Innovators are businesses that are exemplary employers and demonstrate innovative practices in environmental conservation, community engagement and social responsibility. In addition, all Culver City Certified Sustainable Businesses become members of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN).

This unique and impactful program is beneficial to participating businesses by conserving resources, saving on utility bills and increasing customer loyalty; for employees by creating a healthier workplace; and for the community at large by reducing greenhouse gases and other pollution in the local environment.

Key Impacts of first Three Years of Program: 
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Forty-six (46) businesses certifed, including two (2) theaters, (3) schools, ten (10) restaurants and thirty (3) offic/retail establishments. Nineteen (19) businesses achieved the “Certified Innovator” level.  

• 3,300,000 = estimated number of gallons of water saved annually, the equivalent of 164 backyard swimming pools.
• 246,526 = estimated Kwh saved from LED retrofits, the equivalent of removing 40 cars off the road every year. 
• 38.28 = estimated annual tons of solid waste diverted, equivalent of diverting 5,000 bags of recyclables from the landfill. 
• 176 = metric tons of Greenhouse Gases avoided annually, the equivalent of 230 acres of carbon sequestered forestland.