Sustainable Business Leader Program

SBLP is the leading Green Certification Program for Small Businesses in America

Launched in 2008, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Sustainable Business Leader Program (SBLP) is a practical and affordable certification program that helps businesses “green” their operations and practices while saving valuable natural resources and money.

Through personalized technical assistance and guidance, the SBLP helps busy business owners and staff identify areas for environmentally sustainable change, connects them to information and resources to help them do so, and provides them with hands-on support throughout the process to make “going green” easy, rewarding, and fun! Businesses who successfully complete the program become certified as Sustainable Business Leaders and are widely recognized for their achievements and commitment to environmental sustainability.

To date, the SBLP has certified over 125 businesses representing over 25 diverse sectors from automotive to retail and small scale manufacturing.

 
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SBLP Certified - Gentle Giant Moving Company

SBLP Certified - Gentle Giant Moving Company

SBLP Certified - Eastern Bank

SBLP Certified - Eastern Bank

The Sustainable Business Leader Program takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability, covering seven key categories:

SBLP Certified Longfellow Health Clubs with Solar Panels

SBLP Certified Longfellow Health Clubs with Solar Panels

 
  • Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

  • Water Conservation

  • Waste Management

  • Pollution Prevention & Safe Alternatives

  • Transportation

  • Local Purchasing & Local Food

  • Sustainability Management

SBLP Certified - Cambridge Naturals

SBLP Certified - Cambridge Naturals

Testimonials

“Gentle Giant has been honored to participate in the Sustainable Business Leadership Program in partnership with the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts. Since working with the SBN, our company has been more mindful of our environmental impact and how small changes throughout the business can make a huge impact. Our business has committed to an ongoing effort of finding the best sustainable alternatives for the products and services we use on a regular basis. When we are attentive of where we source our materials and how we recycle our products, we avoid contributing excess plastic into landfills and reduce our carbon footprint. “

Gentle Giant Moving Company

"SBLP provided us with the tools and resources to build a better, more sustainable business, and took all of the guesswork out of the process. We were able to engage our staff in the work and further embed environmental justice into our operations."

Cambridge Naturals

“Our involvement as a member of the Sustainable Business Leadership Program has helped us to move the needle in many ways, and crucially in learning about a local economy that is green and fair. Eastern’s Sustainability Employee Resource Group has benefitted from the Program’s support in helping us as an employer take a stand, use our voice and implement programs that drive meaningful impact. This includes reducing electricity usage in our corporate buildings by over 450,000 KWH per year, incorporating environmentally friendly trash disposal practices at 94% of our locations, and replacing customer paper statements with electronic statements.”

— Eastern Bank

Benefits of Being a Sustainable Business Leader

SNLP Certified - Gentle Giant
  • Reduce your carbon footprint

  • Save money by reducing energy, water, and waste

  • Connect with incentive programs and local green vendors

  • Develop a competitive advantage through enhanced business image

  • Receive 1-year complimentary membership to the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston ($125-$500 value!) and member discounts to all SBN events

  • Network with other Sustainable Business Leaders

  • Generate a sense of pride and camaraderie among staff

 

How Do I Become a Sustainable Business Leader? Contact us!

Fill out our contact form, or send us an e-mail , and we’ll set up a time to talk with you about the program and address any questions you may have.  The SBLP is a fee based program.  Fees are assessed based on the square footage of your business space and the anticipated scope of work.

*The SBLP Certification is valid for 3 years. After this period, we will help re-certify your business at a reduced rate!