G O O D FO R N E VA DA . G R E AT FO R B U S I N E S S .
IMPACT RE PO RT
NEVADA GREEN BUSINESS FLOURISHES When we see the f irst green sprouts in our springtime gardens, it’s almost impossible to believe these tiny seedlings will bear abundant f ruit. But with careful attention, the right nourishment and abundant patience, once-tiny sprouts bring a joyful bounty of goodness. So it has been with greenUP! and the Nevada Green Business Network. Years of painstaking preparation, development of an inspired vision of a better world, commitment of just the right resources, and — always — abundant patience are bearing f ruit. Through initiatives such as the Nevada Green Business Certif ication Program, we are seeing measurable and steadily growing progress toward sustainable business practices across our state. This is important work. The very future of our planet hangs in the balance. Businesses that engage in sustainable, green practices play a critical role in ensuring a thriving economy and a healthy Nevada for years to come. We are particularly pleased with the cooperative, collaborative approach undertaken by the many private companies, public agencies, and individual citizens that have joined us in this cause. They have placed the benef it of the entire community, the entire planet, in the foref ront.
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Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
Nevada Green Business Network and greenUP! recognize, too, that sustainability extends far beyond energy eff iciency, waste reduction and stewardship of natural resources. We are pledged to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, and we are committed to active engagement in environmental justice issues. We seek to advance the well-being of all people in Nevada. Since 2019, when Western Nevada College and greenUP! received federal funding to launch Nevada Green Business Network, we have visited with hundreds of businesses, talked with dozens of leaders of the sustainability effort statewide, and conducted numerous training sessions. We have nurtured our tiny seedlings. The f irst harvests are appearing. Together, we can ensure many healthy harvests to come.
D O N N A WA L D E N FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
G R E E N B U S I N E S S I S A G R OW T H S T R AT EG Y
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N E VA DA G R E E N B U S I N E S S N E T WO R K ’ P R I O R I T I Z I N G N E VA DA S F U T U R E
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O U R M I S S I O N , V I S I O N A N D VA L U E S
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G R E E N B U S I N E S S E S S H OW T H E Y C A R E
1 0 H OW W E WO R K 1 2 N E VA DA B U S I N E S S E S C E R T I F I E D G R E E N 1 3 O U R I M PAC T 1 4 E N V I R O N M E N TA L O U TCO M E S R E P O R T I N G 1 5 N E VA DA G R E E N B U S I N E S S I N N OVATO R S
100 70 30
N E VA D A BUSINESSES
GREEN BUSINESS IS A GROW TH STRATEGY
74 4
25
IN PROGRESS
C E RT I F I E D
4 Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
Q3-19
Q4-19
Q1-20
CERTIFIED
Q2-20 Q3-20 Q4-20 Q1-21
IN PROCESS
Q2-21
Q3-21
Q4-21
G R OW T H
We’re just getting started.
NEVADA GREEN BUSINESS NET WORK
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In 2019, the Nevada Green Business Network (NVGBN) launched a voluntary, statewide green business certif ication program. We believe that business has a signif icant role to play in protecting Nevada’s natural resources, transitioning to a green economy, and averting the climate emergency.
The Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce is one of our community’s leading advocates for the transition to a clean energy economy. We are supporting the Nevada Green Business Network by offering green business certif ication training to educate our members. It is one of the many ways we inform and educate members on the opportunities in clean energy – f rom creating good-paying jobs for our community to how green business practices can help to improve their bottom line.
A N N S I LVE R CEO
We know that learning and implementing green practices can seem overwhelming to a small business. So we started by building a coalition of partners to provide f ree assistance. Our team and partners help small businesses move through their industry-specif ic checklist to identify and implement green practices that make sense for their organizations. Our coalition of Partners has grown to 11 organizations strong. Two of our newest partners, the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Conservation League, expand our reach in Northern Nevada’s business community and in the state’s most populated region in Southern Nevada.
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99% of all Nevada businesses are a small business.
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Nevada small businesses employ
42% of the state’s workforce.
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We’ve reached 100 businesses in our f irst two years and are prepared for aggressive growth in green business certif ications.
PRIORITIZING NEVADA’S GREEN FUTURE We brought a transformative green business f ramework and web-based software tool called GreenBizTracker to Nevada. This tool is proving to be a game changer for statewide green business programs across the United States. Developed by the California Green Business Network, the tool simplif ies the green business certif ication process for businesses. It facilitates data collection to allow green business programs to validate and report measurable outcomes. In 2018, greenUP!, a Nevada-based environmental nonprof it, collaborated with Western Nevada College (WNC) to secure a federal grant to establish NVGBN and set up the Nevada Green Business Certif ication Program. Working with local and state government, nonprof it, and industry stakeholders, we adapted the f ramework specif ically for the Nevada business community. Then in 2020, we formally launched the program along with a business-f riendly website. This report shares our progress and impact.
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Western Nevada College is an honored member of Nevada’s Green Business Network expanding partnerships through the network and certif ied businesses. NVGBN’s impactful role in Nevada’s workforce ecosystem provides recognition of businesses, employees, and stakeholders allowing signif icant contributions to a healthy, vibrant future for Nevada.
G E O R G I A K E N YO N WH I T E , PH D
DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
6 Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
O U R G OA L S L a u n c h a s ta tew i d e g re e n b u s i n e s s p ro g ra m to f o s te r b u s i n e s s l e a d e rs h i p i n s u s ta i n a b i l i t y .
Acce l ’e ra te p ro g re s s towa rd t h e s ta te s e n v i ro n m e n ta l p r i o r i t i e s . ’ E n g a g e N eva d a s s t u d e n t s a n d wo r k f o rce i n re a l - wo r l d ex p e r i e n ce i n t h e a p p l i ca t i o n o f g re e n b u s i n e s s p ra c t i ce s a c ro s s key i n d u s t r i e s .
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I’m working every day in the Senate to help build a sustainable future for Nevada. The Nevada Green Business Network has been an incredible partner to the Silver State as we work to build our clean economy, create jobs, help businesses become more energy-eff icient, and combat the climate crisis. I’m eager to see the continued success of this coalition and will keep pushing to help Nevada small businesses go green, save money, and create good-paying jobs.
CAT H E R I N E CO R T E Z - M A STO UNITED STATES SENATOR
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WE RE G R AT E F U L .
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12,744 Source: GreenBizTracker
CERTIFIED BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE
The Nevada Green Business Program is made possible through funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Exchange Network and Pollution Prevention Grant Programs.
WE’RE DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES W E A R E H E R E FO R YO U . Our mission is to educate and assist Nevada businesses and organizations in achieving green business certif ication to increase economic prosperity and create sustainable communities.
AND OUR FUTURE. We envision our transition to a thriving, green economy that ensures a healthy Nevada for generations to come.
B Y FO C U S I N G O N W H AT M AT T E R S . Our values guide how we work with partners and the business community.
W E A R E CO M M I T E D TO : Celebrate leadership and innovation. Promote the pillars of sustainability: people, prosperity, planet. Support businesses through education. Foster a diverse and inclusive community. Build a vibrant network. Improve Nevadans’ health and wellbeing. 8 Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
GREEN BUSINESSES SHOW THEY CARE ABOUT OUR FUTURE Becoming a green business is a great way to increase prof itability. Green practices reduce utility costs, improve operational eff iciency, and lower maintenance costs. Savings f ree up resources that can be invested in growth or other priorities.
’ Th e a g g re g a te d a n n u a l s a v i n g s o f N eva d a s 3 0 ce r t i f i e d g re e n b u s i n e s s e s a re n e a r l y $ 1 0 9 , 1 6 5
Th e N eva d a G re e n B u s i n e s s C e r t i f i ca t i o n P ro g ra m o f f e rs i n d u s t r y - s p e c i f i c b e s t p ra c t i ce s i n s eve n a c t i o n a re a s .
COMMITMENT
ENERGY
TRANSPORTATION
POLLUTION PREVENTION
WATER
SOLID WASTE
WASTEWATER
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The Nevada Climate Strategy is clear: reducing Nevada’s greenhouse gases and laying the groundwork for a climate-resilient economy is going to take effort f rom all economic sectors. We are thankful to businesses that are committed to reducing their greenhouse gases through energy savings and doing their part to help reach our state’s climate goals.
DAVI D B O B Z I E N
DIRECTOR OF THE NEVADA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF ENERGY
Green business certif ication also provides transparency and builds trust with employees and customers by validating efforts. More than 80 percent of U.S. workers polled believe it is important to work for an organization that makes the environment a top priority. It also offers a distinct advantage by differentiating businesses f rom competitors. And today, with more than 70 percent of customers saying they want to buy f rom businesses that are helping to protect the environment and are willing to pay more for products f rom those companies, it will help attract new customers.
HOW WE WORK The Nevada Green Business Program is led by a talented staff and supported by Green Business Advisors. Our team offers a technology solution, f ree assistance, education and training, connections to utility incentive programs, and useful resources on a range of topics – f rom forming a green team to no- and low-cost energy-eff iciency solutions.
WEBSITE LAUNCH
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In December of 2020, we launched our website. The website serves as an effective resource for businesses to learn about the Nevada Green Business Certif ication Program. It engages and educates visitors on the value of green business certif ication and how they can get started. It offers valuable resources like an introductory PowerPoint, digital brochure, useful guides, and case studies. News and Events keep businesses informed and current.
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We offer technical assistance, information about utility incentive programs, recommendations on low- and no-cost measures, and access to valuable resources. We developed and curated a range of helpful guides, templates, and resources that can be accessed through GreenBizTracker. Our team makes on-site visits to help businesses identify and implement green practices that make sense for their organization.
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’ WE RE M A
10 Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
G re e n B u s i n e s s Ad v i s o rs h a ve e n g a g e d w i t h m o re t h a n 1 0 0 b u s i n e s s e s a n d 1 , 3 5 6 e m p l oye e s .
We ve d eve l o p e d 3 7 u n i q u e v i r t u a l o r i n - p e rs o n s e s s i o n s t h a t a t t ra c te d m o re t h a n 2 3 0 a t te n d e e s .
E D U C AT I O N A N D T R A I N I N G
We’ve fostered strategic relationships with industry associations and agencies to offer industryspecif ic training and workshops. We hosted a manufacturers roundtable and offered green business certif ication training as well as industryspecif ic training in hospitality and lodging, auto repair and auto body, and metal manufacturing. I N N OVAT I V E B U S I N E S S S O L U T I O N
Our program utilizes an innovative performance management system called GreenBizTracker. This user-f riendly web-based and mobile tool helps businesses move through their industryspecif ic checklist and document their progress. We offer a hands-on approach to ensure businesses can easily navigate the system.
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TRAININGS
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CASE STUDIES
ATTENDEES
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EMPLOYEES ENGAGED
Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful is pleased to partner with the Nevada Green Business Network because helping businesses in Reno and Sparks operate more sustainably helps us to achieve one of our mission objectives: creating a more sustainable region.
M A R K CA M E R O N EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
’ We ve s h owca s e d f i ve co m p a n i e s i n b l o g p o s t s a n d l i s te d 1 1 co m p a n i e s o n o u r a d s l i d e r .
CO N N EC T B U S I N E S S E S W I T H C U S TO M E R S
1,735
We promote certif ied green businesses through an online green business directory, a mobile app called Shop Green, and social media. Businesses that meet higher levels of certif ication also are promoted on the nvgreenbusiness.org website.
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WEB VISITS
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3 MIN AVERAGE SESSION
C E R T I F I C AT I O N
Before granting certif ication, our team reviews the documentation and information provided through GreenBizTracker. A f inal site audit is conducted to verify the actions taken prior to certif ication. Once certif ied, businesses receive a certif icate and window cling that communicates their achievement to employees and customers.
30 NEVADA BUSINESSES CERTIFIED GREEN TIER 1
TIER 2
Aroma Retail LLC
Harley-Davidson Financial Services
Arts For All Nevada Baker Hughes Bently NV Comstock Farm Continuum Packing D’terra Law, LLC
My Reno Computer Tutor Outsiders Hair Studio Professional Dog Mom LLC Space Cadet
Extremely Emollient
Strange Bikinis, LLC
Katherine Winans, CMP
HIGHEST TIER
Las Vegas Professional Organizers LLC
Brand Geek/Law Off ice of Lara Pearson Ltd, PBC
Mills Roof ing Inc.
CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada
North Sails Nevada Reno+Sparks Chamber of Commerce
Davidson’s Organics
Simple Power Solar
Merchology
So Juicy
Nevada Roots
The Nest
Patagonia Reno Outlet
JP Copoulos Architect
VitalBeeBuds LLC Wayfarer Vans LLC
LEADER
CHAMPION
I N N OVATO R
12 Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report
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Making these changes in our business shows that we really care, we’re not just in it for a buzzword. We want our customers to follow our lead as we try our hardest to minimize our impact on the planet.
R U STY D O N LO N
GENERAL MANAGER OF WAYFARER VANS
OUR IMPACT
30
NEVADA BUSINESSES IN CERTIFICATION PROCESS
70
NEVADA BUSINESSES CERTIFIED GREEN
B U S I N E S S B Y S EC TO R
4,815 NEVADA WORKFORCE MEMBERS
CERTIFIED AND IN PROCESS
SMALL MANUFACTURER SCHOOLS SALON SERVICES RESTAURANT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - COMMERCIAL OFFICE / RETAIL MEDICAL SERVICES LANDSCAPE SERVICES HOME OFFICE GROCERY FOOD MANUFACTURER DEMOLITION / WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICES CONSTRUCTION / REMODEL BREWERY AUTO BODY AGRICULTURE 0
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CERTIFIE
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ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES REPORTING
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We use data f rom GreenBizTracker to report the collective impact that certif ied green businesses are having on their bottom line, and toward environmental goals.
$
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Tota l Ag g re g a te d Cost Savings:
THIS YEAR WE 2 76 , 3 5 5
lbs
o f ca r b o n e m i s s i o n s
$109,165
638,987
kwh
of electricit y
The way Nevadans do business matters – I applaud our Green Business Network partners for opening doors for more businesses to go green and be part of the solution to create a more sustainable, equitable, climate-resilient future for the Silver State. From conserving water and energy, to utilizing cleaner technologies that reduce greenhouse gas pollution, to recycling and cutting waste, Nevada’s green businesses shine the light on how protecting our planet can go hand-in-hand with a strong economy, satisf ied employees, and happy customers.
12,389 2 ,0 1 8 , 9 0 8
gal
o f wa te r
3 78 , 4 47
B R A D L E Y C R OWE L L
DIRECTOR OF THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
The calculations for measures have been sourced f rom well-cited and trusted authorities. These calculations were peer reviewed and updated by government entities and consultants most recently in 2020 and reviewed by NDEP in 2021.
thm
o f n a t u ra l g a s
lbs
o f s o l i d wa s te
363
gal
o f h a za rd o u s wa s te
MEET A FEW OF NEVADA’S GREEN BUSINESS INNOVATORS ’ DAV I D S O N S O R G A N I C S Davidson’s Organics is recognized around the world for its exclusively organic tea products and sustainable business practices. Even with its well-earned reputation, the owners strive to do better. The company’s practices met 70 percent of the green business program requirements, such as sustainable packaging and composting tea waste f rom manufacturing. Energy eff iciency became a focus for additional efforts.
Improvements at the 50,000-squarefoot facility included motion-sensor LED lighting, high-gloss white paint for better reflectance, new skylights, sealing of air gap, and cellulose insulation. These and other practices optimized operational and energy eff iciency. Green business certif ication enhanced the Davidson’s Organics brand, reinforcing its relationships with employees, suppliers, and customers.
N E VA DA R O OT S Nevada Roots has earned a reputation for providing high-quality tree services while also protecting the environment. The home-based business already featured LED lighting, nontoxic cleaning, curbside recycling, and yard waste composting. Realizing that INNOVATOR status was within reach, the owners evaluated costs and implemented measures that worked best for their business and family.
Low-flow showerhead and faucets f ixtures, recycled-content paper products, and paperless customer communications and invoices to name a few. The owners quickly discovered that green business certif ication offered credibility, made it easier to communicate with customers, and strengthened their brand as an environmentally conscious business.
M E R C H O LO G Y Merchology focuses on the science, art, and skill of preparing custom apparel and gifts. The Minnesota-based, family-owned business opened a small manufacturing facility in Sparks, Nevada, in 2019 where 23 employees run apparel-embroidery production. Green business certif ication was a learning process for the team. Some areas called for small changes – expanding sustainable purchasing, installing new LED light f ixtures and motion sensors, and setting computers to go into sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. Others required more, such as working with the janitorial services provider to switch to certif ied green cleaning products. Green business certif ication validated Merchology’s progress, led to a renewed Environmental Policy Statement, and inspired its f irst Environmental Impact Report.
Nevada Green Business Network | 2021 Impact Report 15
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