Sustainable Business

Has your business received a Notice of Violation for Mandatory Organics Recycling? Please contact us environment@ci.millbrae.ca.us or subscribe to organics recycling service with South San Francisco Scavenger (650) 589-4020

Our Climate Action Goal

Help businesses conserve resources, prevent pollution, and minimize waste. Our Climate Action Plan estimates this action will result in a reduction of 110 MTCO2e. Read more about our 2020 Climate Action Plan (LINK).

Our Plan

  1. Offer technical assistance to help businesses become Green Business Certified
  2. Ensure businesses are up to date and compliant with current legislation
  3. Assist businesses in finding rebates and incentives

These measures are designed to minimize environmental impact, lower operating costs, and support businesses in Millbrae.

Read about the Waste Management Laws that impact you! (LINK)


Green Excellence

  1. Certifications
  2. Funding
  3. Awards
  4. Business License

Certifications can be a good way to distinguish and promote your business. Many certifications will provide a sticker to place on the window of your business to show customers your accomplishments. Here are a few certifications available to Millbrae Businesses:

B-corp Certification

B Lab provides a B-corp Certification to businesses that meet a certain standard for social impact. Becoming certified designates your business as demonstrating high social and environmental performance, a corporate governance structure that is accountable to all stakeholders, and business transparency. B corps build trust with consumers, communities, and suppliers; attract and retain employees; and draw mission-aligned investors.

Green Business Certification

The Green Business Network provides a framework for businesses to display a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. The program helps define industry-specific measures that will better the environment while also lowering your utility bills. Also provided are financial incentives, free technical assistance, educational resources, and public recognition upon certification. The City of Millbrae partners with the Green Business Program to offer Technical Assistance for Millbrae Businesses to become certified. 

Energy Star Certified Building 

Commercial buildings can earn an energy star certification which indicates that their building operates more efficiently than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. To acquire this certification your business must have your property use characteristics, energy data, and indoor environment criteria be verified by a Certified Engineer or Registered Architect. This certification is government-granted by the EPA.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

LEED is a green building certification program that is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. There are various rating systems to choose depending on the type of project you’d like to focus on (i.e. interior design and construction or maintenance and operations). Within the certification process, there are opportunities to create more sustainable, resilient, healthy, and equitable places.