The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN) developed a technical assistance program to help small to medium-size businesses improve their environmental practices and decrease their carbon footprint. 

This technical assistance program builds on the successful “Business Summits for a Sustainable Boston” which SBN organized in conjunction with the Boston Redevelopment Authority in 2006 and 2007.  These bi-monthly meetings created a forum for small and medium-size Boston-based businesses to share waste reduction strategies and learn about new climate protection initiatives.  The Business Summits culminated with the successful “Green Business Awards” presented by Mayor Menino in the spring of 2007.

After running the Business Summits and assisting the City of Boston in organizing the Green Business awards, SBN understood that there were a large number of small and medium-size businesses that needed help in reducing their carbon footprint.  The Boston Redevelopment Authority and SBN wanted to reach out and offer assistance to businesses that weren’t aware of how to reduce their waste generation rate, lower their energy and water consumption, and purchase green products produced from local and regional manufacturers.

SBN has received financial grants from its members to initiate this program.  In addition, SBN has received a pledge to print 5,000 resource guides titled the “Busy Business Guide to Sustainable Practices.”  These contributions supplement the funds granted from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.