Illinois Green Business Association
We help small businesses strengthen their performance through smart, innovative sustainability practices.
As sustainable innovation in business operations has moved to the forefront of the world’s most successful corporations, the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) is positioned to assist small businesses in realizing the same benefits as their larger counterparts.
Mission and Vision
The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps businesses integrate green practices through education and engagement, causing a business to find profitability in sustainability.
Our vision is that a sustainable business culture is the standard practice of economic activity. Companies, communities, and consumers will thrive through healthy, mutually beneficial relationships that are diverse, resilient, and balanced.
Get started today by applying
to become a green business.
Increased profitability.
Happier and more loyal customers.
Recruitment and retention of the very best talent.
The Illinois
Green Business
Program
IGBA partnered with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to offer its core program, the Illinois Green Business Program. Together, these organizations work toward helping businesses green their practices and make their communities more sustainable and resilient.
Certification Categories
Energy
Energy is the largest of the six certification categories and often provides the best return on investment for businesses. This category examines equipment and lighting usage, best practices for heating and air conditioning units and systems, and the human dimension of how power is consumed within the business. The Illinois Green Business Program coordinates with utility companies to help provide businesses with incentives to help them obtain higher efficiency equipment and save money.
Pollution Prevention
Pollution Prevention involves a comprehensive audit of all the chemicals, cleaners, and supplies used in the business. This category promotes utilizing green products that are conducive to a clean air environment and provides resources to educate employees on preventing chemical spills that could be harmful to the environment, as well as guidelines for proper storage and disposal. Pollution prevention and education in the workplace can improve employee health, reduce dangerous spills, and even decrease supply costs.
Solid Waste
Solid Waste focuses on reducing waste to decrease costs, reusing materials to conserve resources, and recycling to reduce the need to extract virgin materials. Responsible purchasing practices are key to reducing waste and this category provides an assessment of the types of materials bought by the business to increase efficiency and environmental awareness in purchasing.
Transportation
A more sustainable transportation system reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, increases safety, provides equal access to destinations for all groups of society, and enhances the quality of life in our communities. This category focuses on helping employees find health-promoting alternatives to driving cars to work every day, finding sustainable transportation programs for employees, and providing information on ride sharing options in the community.
Water
Water conservation practices help identify and eliminate areas of leakage or inefficient usage and waste. This category includes both indoor and outdoor water efficiency measures along with an assessment of the amount of water used by different types of equipment as well as other strategies for conservation. Using water wisely is good for the environment and the bottom line.
Community
The community category offers strategies for how a business can become more involved in contributing to their community and connecting with other environmental organizations. Sustainability in this category means not only the environmental, but the social and economic well-being of the community as well. This category also provides opportunities for businesses to educate their employees and the broader business community on the ways they can reduce their environmental impact at work and at home.