Is your business buzzing with unnecessary lighting and equipment? Are your garbage cans overflowing with copy paper and water bottles? Do your colleagues complain about sitting in traffic to get to work every day?
 
By taking the Westchester Green Business Challenge, you and your company will learn how to improve the “greenness” of your operations by reducing energy, waste and water use, implementing sustainable land use practices, and by making smarter choices in what you purchase and how you travel to and from work.

But your participation in the challenge means more than curbing climate change. We’ll link you to targeted resources that will make it easy to improve the energy efficiency and overall sustainability of your business – saving you money while cutting your emissions.   Your business will also receive increased visibility and ongoing recognition from the program's primary sponsors – the Business Council of Westchester and Westchester County Government. 

What you can do today:

• Register your interest to stay informed of the latest program developments and learn how to become a pilot participant.
  
• Submit a green business case study about your company’s environmental initiatives to date and plans for the future. Your case study may be published on the county’s expanding Green Business Challenge website. See a sample case study.
  
• Review this Business Guide based on the county’s Action Plan which provides a synopsis of the most important actions your business can take today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainability and save money. 

How it works
County Executive Andy Spano is challenging Westchester County businesses and property managers to participate in a friendly competition to improve the environmental performance of their business operations.

The Green Business Challenge builds off the county’s Action Plan to help participants:

• conserve energy
• reduce the impact of transportation on global warming
• promote sustainable land use
• support sustainable water management
• reduce waste and increase the use of green products

The Green Business Challenge provides an exciting way for businesses to make Westchester a greener place to live and work – and well deserved recognition for your business!

What kind of business can participate?
Any Westchester-based business, regardless of size or current level of sustainable operations may participate. Register your interest here. 

Examples of businesses include:

• hotels and motels
• restaurants
• retail stores
• food and grocery stores
• offices
• factories
• hospitals
• assisted living centers
• cleaning companies
• landscaping companies
• business consulting firms
• dry cleaning stores
• limousine and car rental companies
• painting and home decorating
• construction companies
• gas stations
• auto repair shops
• office furniture and supplies
• trucking and delivering

Program sponsors: