IFAS Extension Recognizes Green Businesses

The Green Business Partnership (GBP) is a voluntary assessment that recognizes businesses, business organizations, and local governments for their environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. Offered through the University of Florida/IFAS Pinellas County Extension, it encourages conservation of resources, waste reduction, energy conservation and cost savings.

After completing the self-evaluation check list available online, Pinellas County staff will provide support to implement many green practices and help maximize the ability of businesses to operate in sustainable way. The program is open to all businesses in Pinellas County that choose to implement resource conservation measures and demonstrate a culture of environmental, social and economic awareness in their business practices. An on-site assessment will be conducted to verify the performance of applicant businesses to the Green Business Partnership recommendations.

When all applicable criteria are implemented, the Green Business Partnership will be awarded and the business will be eligible to use the Green Business Partnership logo and window decals will be provided. This badge of honor can serve to highlight green business practices to those customers that would choose a Green Business among competitors. Partnerships last for three years, after which a reevaluation process will be required.

As a Green Business Partner, participants will have access to professional advice and training, listing on the Green Business Partner website and special recognition by Pinellas County. Sustainable businesses also benefit from cost savings, increased productivity and a healthier work environment.

Gator Dining's Green Takeout

UF Customers taking their food to go now have a greener option. Gator Dining Services is now offering reusable to-go containers at three locations on campus – Gator Corner, Fresh Food Company, and Home Zone in the Reitz Union.

These containers are dishwasher-safe and made to be reused over and over again, helping cut down on the waste produced from their traditional disposable counterparts.

“Between our two dining halls, 158,000 disposable to-go containers were used last year”, said Susanne Lewis, Sustainability Coordinator for Gator Dining. “This program will serve as another great way to minimize waste on our campus.”

The process allows customers take their food to go as usual, bring the reusable container back at their earliest convenience at which time it gets washed by Gator Dining, and the cycle continues. Up to two reusable containers can be checked out per Gator 1 card.

The first 100 people to sign up for the program will also receive a free reusable cup which can be used campus-wide to receive 50 cent discounts on fountain beverages. There will also be other prizes distributed throughout the semester to reward customers who are taking an active part in waste minimization.

Customers can sign up for the program with their Gator 1 card at the register of any of the three locations. A $7.00 refundable deposit will be taken from a Declining Balance or Flex Bucks account – this deposit is refunded in full at the end of the year as long as all containers are returned.

For more information, visit Gator Dining.