ECS (Environmental Certification Services) are services and certifications provided by companies and organizations authorized to determine how green a company is and award the proper certification. To receive a green certificate, your company must meet criteria set by the environmental certification services provider and continue at that level, or higher, to keep the green certification.

Gather environmental certification services information to determine the level of green or areas of environmental responsibility you are most interested in. To earn an environmental certificate and find environmental certification services to fit the needs of your business, you should:

1. Find the right environmental certification services provider for your industry and company.

2. Get certified to offer green and renewable services to your clients and partners.

3. Green your staff by sending them to become certified in environmentally conscious ways that surround your industry and clients' needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an industry-specific environmental certification services provider

There are environmental certification services firms who specialize in specific industries and the ways companies and businesses can go green. Whether you are in hospitality or retail, theirs is a program designed to help your business go green, advertise your green status and pull in green shoppers.

I recommend: Eco Green Award focuses on lighting in the hospitality industry. This certification encourages restaurants, hotels and convention centers to audit their lighting costs and effects to reduce carbon emissions. Green Seal is a company certifying products and services in many industries. Since the concentration is on products, the Green Seal mark can be visible on product packaging for consumer awareness.

Obtain certification to offer green services to other companies and clients

You can become certified to offer green products, services and renewable energy to other companies and individuals. This could be in the form of offering energy alternatives to customers or certifying your business uses green materials and applications in their services, such as carpet cleaning.

I recommend: Green-e is an environmental certification services provider offering certification to dispense renewable products and services to clients. This is designed for electric, utility, phone and other companies who offer energy-based products and services. They also offer easy-to-use green pricing guidelines. The Green Clean Institute is a company offering certification in green cleaning and repairs businesses.

Encourage your staff to become certified green consultants in your specific industry

Find one of the many green certification programs for your industry that allow individuals to become certified green consultants in their specialty and service region. This is a great way for real estate agents, contractors, designers and project managers to become knowledgeable in the green offerings for their industry.

I recommend: The Green Certification for Builders Program at the Saint Paul College is just one example of a program growing in schools and colleges across the company. Greenguard Environmental Institute offers three different programs specially designed to help green the areas that affect children and schools, construction and indoor air quality.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Offer environmental certification options as incentives to staff, clients and partners to bring together a cohesive green plan for your business.