Several businesses throughout Encinitas are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to environmentally sustainable business operations with each achieving designation as a California Certified Green Business. Businesses that have taken action to divert waste, conserve energy, limit water use, and other sustainable practices are eligible to receive the California green business certification, according to a news release.

The City of Encinitas and Encinitas Chamber of Commerce recognized Solana Center for Environmental Innovation on Oct. 29 as the latest Encinitas business to become a certified green business.

Solana Center Executive Director Jessica Toth stated in the news release, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is pleased to be recognized as a Green Business, which fully aligns with our environmental mission. We are working to create a world in which all landfills and oceans are free of discarded resources. I hope that our involvement with the Green Business Network will encourage other organizations to learn about the features of a green business and to pursue certification.

Earlier this the year, the City of Encinitas, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, and U.S. Green Building Council California partnered to create a local Encinitas Green Business Network. As a result of the partnership, businesses have numerous resources to advance sustainable business practices and are able to obtain California green business certification for free.

It has been a pleasure assisting the Solana Center and Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants achieve their California Green Business certifications! By becoming more sustainable businesses, they have reduced their environmental impacts, reduced operating costs and become role models for other businesses to acquire the certification,” said U.S. Green Building Council California Training and Program Manager Robert Carr in the news release.

A second green ribbon cutting will be held on Nov. 12 with the long-standing green business Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants. Owned by Dr. Kanika Bemeby and Gaurav Vij, Encinitas Periodontics and Dental Implants has been a certified green business since 2022.

“The green business certification has helped our small business keep the environment top of mind on a daily basis and cut operational costs,” said Vij in the news release.

“We are pleased to see businesses take advantage of the value that green practices provide to customers, employees, and their bottom line through the green business certification program,” said City of Encinitas Sustainability Manager Crystal Najera in the news release.

Encinitas businesses interested in becoming certified are invited to attend an information session at Encinitas City Hall, in-person or virtually on Nov. 20, to learn about the requirements for certification, benefits, and support provided through the Encinitas Green Business Network. More details about the information session and the Green Business Certification Program can be found at shorturl.at/PH8ZI