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Green Business Partners

Fairfax County is recognizing businesses that are actively engaging in or interested in sustainable business practices that advance climate action and will help create a carbon neutral economy. The Green Business Partners program is free to join and offers many benefits. Join the Green Business Partners program today and you will:

Get Recognition - Green Business Partners will be listed in the county's directory, receive a certificate and window decal, and have use of program logo, which can strengthen your reputation with employees, customers and the community.
Enhance Your Sustainability Efforts - Network with other Fairfax County businesses to share success stories and learn from each other through webinars and peer exchanges.
Save Money and Time - Discover ways to finance clean energy, emissions reduction and sustainability efforts through tax credits, incentives and other financing options.

Review the information below if you are interested in learning more about this free program.

Apply for the Green Business Partners Program

Annual Survey for Green Business Partners

We are asking all Green Business Partners to complete the Annual Survey, now live through July 31. You can find the survey link in your email or on the Membership Resources webpage.

This survey is an important part of maintaining active membership and helps us better understand your sustainability achievements, challenges, and interests. Whether you're a Member, Leader, or Ally, your responses will inform program resources, events, and recognition opportunities for the Green Business Partners program.

Leader Spotlight: Trace – The Zero Waste Store

As a Leader in the Green Business Partners program, Trace – The Zero Waste Store in Vienna is incorporating sustainability into their business operations in every way they can. Watch our latest Leader Spotlight video to see why Trace is earning accolades for providing plastic-free solutions for everyday living.

Watch Now

No matter the size of your business, you can take steps to reduce your energy and water use, as well as your waste, each and every day. The Green Business Partners program brings together local business leaders with a variety of networking, educational, promotional, and employee engagement benefits to support energy and climate-focused business development. The program also honors and celebrates current leaders in this field, teaches how green business practices can reduce costs, shares resources like grants or other incentives, and gives a platform for learning through peer exchange.

Mission: To support Fairfax County businesses in creating a carbon neutral economy through collaboration and learning opportunities that advance climate action.
Vision: A thriving, resilient business community working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability efforts for a healthy and prosperous Fairfax County.

The Green Business Partners Program has two different levels of participation:

Members:

Businesses that are not yet implementing but are interested in adopting sustainable business practices, or
Businesses that have taken initial steps to adopt practices, programs, and/or policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including energy management and reduction; water conservation; waste management and reduction; transportation; sustainable procurement; and employee engagement.

Leaders:

Businesses that have received a certification through a third-party organization or current participation/recognition from a nationally or locally-recognized sustainability program (e.g., ENERGY STAR®, ISO 14001, LEED Certification, EPA’s Green Power Partnership, etc.), or
Businesses that have been recognized by a third-party organization for their sustainability business leadership and can demonstrate they have integrated sustainability into their business model

Learn more about the free Green Business Partners program through our Trifold Brochure (PDF) and One Pager (PDF).

Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! You will have access to a variety of networking, educational, promotional, and employee engagement benefits to support energy and climate-focused business development. Your business will also be recognized as part of a county-wide sustainability effort.

Members and Leaders will:

Set themselves apart from other businesses with a Member or Leader GBP logo, window decal, and a certificate of program membership.
Gain recognition and be featured on social media and Fairfax County’s website.
Receive educational materials to support implementation of sustainable business practices.
Network with other Fairfax County business to share success stories and learn from each other through webinars and other events.

Leaders will also:

Receive future recognition through video profiles and mentions on Fairfax Government Channel 16, Fairfax County’s website, and social media.

Membership in the Green Business Partners program is free. To be eligible to join, all participants must have:

A physical location in Fairfax County; and
A current Virginia business license.

Members:

Have implemented, or will implement at least three sustainability practices within one year of membership;
Sign a pledge that the business has implemented or will implement at least three sustainable business practices within one year of membership; and
Demonstrate adoption of at least three sustainable business practices after one year of membership through an annual renewal process.

Leaders:

Certification through a third-party organization or current participation/recognition from a nationally or locally-recognized sustainability program (e.g., ENERGY STAR®, ISO 14001, LEED Certification, EPA’s Green Power Partnership, etc.),

Recognized by a third-party organization for their sustainable business leadership and can demonstrate they have integrated sustainability into their business model.

Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! To join the program, follow the steps below:

Review the eligibility requirements above.
Complete and submit a participation agreement.
GBP staff will review all participation agreements and notify businesses of acceptance and partnership level.

JOIN THE GREEN BUSINESS PARTNERS PROGRAM

A Green Business Partner Ally is an organization or company located within or outside of Fairfax County that works directly with businesses in Fairfax County to further the mission and vision of the GBP program. An Ally:

Collaborates with the GBP program to support the Fairfax County business community in becoming more sustainable;
Supports the Green Business Partner program through promotion and recruitment; and
Does not qualify as a Member or Leader of the GBP program.

See the list of current Allies on our Green Business Directory.

Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! To join the program as an Ally, review eligibility requirements and submit a participation agreement.

JOIN THE GREEN BUSINESS PARTNERS PROGRAM

Featured Ally: FCEDA

Green Business Partners Allies are organizations or companies that work directly with businesses in Fairfax County to further the mission and vision of the GBP program. On this page, we are featuring a conversation with Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Learn More about how TRC Supports Fairfax County Businesses

Visit our Green Business Directory to see list of current Members, Leaders and Allies. You can also view Leader Spotlight videos and Featured Ally interviews on the Green Business Directory.

see list of current Members, Leaders and Allies

Who can participate in the Green Business Partners program?

All businesses no matter the sector (retail, healthcare, information technology, finance, etc.) or the size (micros, small, corporate) are welcome to participate. Those applying must have a valid Fairfax County business license.
What if my business doesn’t have a BPOL number?

While a business must be registered with Fairfax County to join the program, we understand that some businesses are exempt from BPOL or are just getting established. If you are a Fairfax County business but don't have a BPOL number, please note the reason why in the application field where the BPOL number is requested.
Do Green Business Partners have to be in Fairfax County?

Yes, participants must be located within Fairfax County. However, we encourage all businesses to make sustainable choices in their operations.
What commitments do Green Business Partners make?

Businesses accepted into the Member level need to commit to and demonstrate implementation of at least 3 sustainable practices within one year of membership.

Green Business Partners program staff are here to help! Please email us at greenbusiness@fairfaxcounty.gov and we can connect you to information and resources that may assist your company in its efforts to be more sustainable.
How long is membership valid?

Membership to the GBP will remain valid as long as Members and Leaders provide information to support an annual review process that will occur at the start of each calendar year (January 1 - February 28). The annual review process will begin in 2025.
Is there a cost to participate?

No! Participation in the program is FREE for Fairfax County businesses.
Are non-profit organizations eligible for membership?

Only Fairfax County businesses with a valid business license are eligible for the Membership or Leader level. However, the program is interested in partnering with any organization interested in promoting climate action and sustainability practices. Non-profit organizations, trade groups or other organizations that don’t meet the membership criteria can still be recognized as an “Ally” of the program. Learn more about Allies in the section above.

If you have questions about eligibility, please email us at greenbusiness@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Is there technical assistance to help businesses meet third-party certifications (LEED, ENERGY STAR, ISO 14001, etc.)?

Currently, the program does not provide technical assistance. However, the program does offer other related benefits such as general information and resources, networking, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to help businesses grow in their sustainability efforts.

More questions? Please email us at greenbusiness@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Watch an engaging, informative webinar where we will look at the state of play in the EV market, fact-check some of the current perceptions around obstacles, spotlight creative workarounds that businesses have used, and make the case for EV adoption for businesses.

WATCH NOW

During our fall Green Business Partners webinar, “Benefits of Committing to Sustainability: The Experience of Climate First Bank”, attendees learned how a strong corporate commitment to fighting climate change can generate an edge in the marketplace when it comes to attracting and retaining customers, employees, and investors. Climate First Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Chris Cucci, talks about their path in standing up a sustainability-driven and climate-branded company and how some of the business benefits accrue to their customers as well.

WATCH THE WEBINAR RECORDING

Discover the monetary benefits of incorporating sustainability practices into your business operations and network with area green business leaders at our Green Business Social!

The event was hosted by GBP Leader Groundswell at 8401 Greensboro Dr. in Tysons. The time was 5:30 to 7 p.m. Meeting minutes can be found here.

On May 21, Dominion Energy, Fairfax County, and TRC presented the 'Spring Into Savings: How to Fund Your Energy Efficiency Goals' webinar.

In this webinar, hosts discussed resources available to your business from Fairfax County's Office of Environmental and Energy and their Green Business Partners Program, as well as how Dominion Energy and TRC can provide financial incentives for energy efficiency projects.

watch the webinar recording

webinar graphic

Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) and Department of Transportation (DOT), along with Charge@Work, are partnering to help businesses power up their workplace charging programs. On November 14 at 12 p.m. ET, they hosted the “Opportunities to Charge@Work: A Green Business Partners and Best Workplaces for Commuters Webinar” which demonstrated a new free online tool to plan and implement electric vehicle charging at your business.

WaTCH The webinar recording

On June 22, 2023, the Green Business Partners team worked with Department of Transportation to host a joint webinar showcasing how businesses can benefit from the services and resources offered by the Best Workplaces for Commuters and Green Business Partners programs. During the webinar, attendees learned about the benefits of both programs and how they can opt-in to the Green Business Partners program as part of their Best Workplaces for Commuters application.

Watch the webinar recording

On March 31, 2023, the Green Business Partners team, in partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives and Smart City Works, hosted the Fairfax County Green Business Partners Forum.

The Forum showcased energy- and climate-success stories and provided opportunities to network with green business leaders throughout Fairfax County. It also promoted peer-to-peer learning on how green business practices can lower operational costs, reduce waste, and contribute to a healthier and more resilient Fairfax County community. To learn more, see the video recapping the event by clicking below or click here.

The County Conversation Podcast

The County Conversation is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. On this edition of the conversation, host Jim Person talks with Neely Law, OEEC's community specialist, about the Green Business Partners Program and the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.

Tune In