From florists to bakeries, to salons, architecture and tax firms, small businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania will soon have the opportunity to become a designated Sustainable Small Business through the revamped Southwestern PA Sustainable Small Business Designation Program. 

The Small Business Designation Program recognizes small businesses (50 employees or fewer) for implementing sustainability actions that are simultaneously good for their bottom line, the environment, and the social fabric of their communities. 

Demand for this program over the last two years has been such that SP determined the need to improve and expand upon the existing version.

            In 2010, SP partnered with Town Center Associates to launch the Sustainable Small Business Designation program to advance sustainable practices among small, local businesses throughout Beaver and Allegheny County’s Main Street districts. 

To date, over ninety businesses have earned designation, placing the program as one of the largest in the region.

While it continues to partner with Town Center Associates in targeted areas, SP has now expanded the program to include small businesses in all Southwestern PA counties.  Additionally, the program features newly developed criteria, such as adding points for low flow toilets and replacing HVAC filters.

The Small Business Designation Program addresses multiple components of what it means to be a sustainable business.  Undergoing an energy audit or waste audit, as well as having a code of ethics that guards against corruption are some examples. 

Similarly, if a business has a green roof or occupies a formerly blighted property, putting it back into productive use, it is eligible to earn points towards designation as well.

The program offers multiple levels of recognition.  Achievements range from “Striver,” a business just beginning on the path of sustainability, to “Gold,” the highest level of recognition.  All designated businesses receive a window cling representing their level of designation, a certificate of achievement, networking and marketing opportunities, and are listed on Sustainable Pittsburgh’s website as a Sustainable Small Business.

If the business is located within the focus area of Town Center Associates or within Cranberry Township, it will be recognized on those respective websites as well.

“Sustainable Pittsburgh developed this small business performance program through a process of benchmarking similar programs around the nation and in consultation with small businesses and community development experts from Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Court Gould, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh.  “The self-assessment process uses a checklist of criteria for designation that are practical, achievable, and facilitate savings for small businesses.”

Small businesses are encouraged to view sustainability as more than a concept, but as a process and pathway for operating their business in a manner that goes beyond just the financial bottom line.  Advance Sourcing Concepts, LLC, based in the North Hills, is a recently designated sustainable small business.

“Being a sustainable organization is important to us because we believe that it is our responsibility to do the right thing in every aspect of business,” said Judith Bernhard, President, Advance Sourcing Concepts, LLC.  “By being sustainable, it further connects us to our greatest resource – the community in which we live.   We strongly feel that by working to become a “green business” we can have even greater positive social, economic, and environmental impacts on our community.”

The Sustainable Business Designation Program is a free program of Sustainable Pittsburgh through its Champions for Sustainability business network.  Good for business and the community, the program leads businesses toward cost saving opportunities, good business practices and a growing customer market of buy local, buy sustainable.

“Here at Sustainable Pittsburgh we understand that successful small businesses are a driving force for a healthy and prosperous community and region,” said Court Gould.  “The Sustainable Small Business Designation Program aims to equip businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to create lasting and positive change in both their business and community.”

To earn designation or to learn more, businesses can visit SP’s Champions for Sustainability website. 

Questions may be directed to: sbiz@sustainablepittsburgh.org or Isaac Smith at 412-258-6652.  Follow the Small Business Designation Program on Twitter.

7/15/2013