Sustainable Business Certification
What Is the Sustainable Business Certification Program?
Launched in 2017 by the Sustainability Alliance, the Sustainable Business Certification is based on four scientific principles of a sustainable society:
- Reduce non-renewable energy and materials
- Minimize pollution and waste
- Protect ecosystems
- Meet human needs
There are four levels of performance that recognize continuous improvement:
- Bronze: Reduces negative impacts by conserving resources and provides a safety net for employees.
- Silver: Creates positive impacts beyond basics.
- Gold: Actively encourages other stakeholders to get involved in sustainability efforts.
- Platinum: Operates as a restorative business, with zero negative impacts and is a leader with a highly empowered workforce.
At the completion of each level, the business, organization, or local government receives a certificate and badge. These materials can be used to promote the commitment to sustainable practices.
Who Can Get Certified?
Any Verde Valley business, organization, or local government that meets the defined criteria is eligible for certification.
How Do I Certify My Business, Organization, or Local Government?
To learn more about the program and get certified the following resources are available:
- Sustainability 101 webinars and trainings;
- Local community representatives who can provide information and answer questions;.
- An online assessment tool;
- A certifier who will meet with you to review your responses and approve your certification; and
- Marketing collateral to promote your commitment to sustainable practices.
What Are the Benefits of Certification?
By going through the certification self-assessment, businesses, organizations, and local governments will recognize the sustainability practices currently implemented in their operation and learn new ways to become even more sustainable. Being certified offers additional marketing benefits and access to special events. This process has numerous benefits for those seeking certification such as:
- Engaging employees;
- Building a sustainable brand and/or reputation;
- Attracting the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) market;
- Reducing wasted resources (water, energy, solid waste) and associated costs;
- Increasing efficiency and/or reducing costs;
- Reducing environmental and social risks; and
- Reflecting the identity and values the business, organization, or local government has embraced.
How to Get Certified
Follow this link to the business certification program questionnaire.
Resources for Certification
Who Is Certified?
Through the Sustainable Business Certification Program, Verde Valley businesses, organizations, and local governments are recognized and congratulated for their commitment to the community and to sustainable practices.
Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization Certified Sustainable Businesses
A and B
A Sunset Chateau B&B, Sedona (Silver)
Absolute Bikes, VOC (Bronze)
Alive Today / Unmaskit, Sedona (Gold)
Ascend Hemp Oil, Sedona (Bronze)
Atlasta Catering, Phoenix (Silver)
Aumbase Sedona, Sedona (Bronze)
Authentus Group, Sedona (Silver)
Azulita Project, Flagstaff (Gold)
Blazin’ M Ranch, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Blue Meets Greens, Sedona (Silver)
Bodega Pierce, Clarkdale (Bronze)
Bonnie Lane Designs, Clarkdale (Silver)
C and D
Casa Natural, Sedona (Bronze)
Castle Hot Springs Resort, Castle Hot Springs (Bronze)
ChocolaTree Organic Oasis, Sedona (Silver)
Chocolita, Flagstaff (Silver)
City of Cottonwood, Cottonwood (Bronze)
City of Sedona, Sedona (Silver)
Clear Creek Vineyard and Winery, Camp Verde (Silver)
Courtyard by Marriott Sedona, Sedona (Bronze)
Cucina Rustica, Sedona (Bronze)
Damian Bruno & Danielle Giann/Coldwell Banker, Sedona (Bronze)
Drew Clark/Roy Grimm RE/MAX, Sedona (Bronze)
E, F and G
El Portal Sedona Hotel, Sedona (Bronze)
El Rincon Restaurant Mexicano, Sedona (Bronze)
Element Sedona Hotel, VOC (Silver)
Enchantment Resort, Sedona (Silver)
Enriching Life Forever, Sedona (Bronze)
Eye Boutique of Sedona, Village of Oak Creek (Silver)
Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood (Silver)
Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen, Sedona (Bronze)
H, J, K and L
Healthy World Sedona, Sedona (Gold)
Holiday Inn Express Sedona-Oak Creek, VOC (Gold)
Indian Gardens Café & Market, Sedona (Bronze)
Junipine Resort, Sedona (Bronze)
Kahtoola, Flagstaff (Silver)
Karen Dunlap/Coldwell Banker, Sedona (Bronze)
Karen’s Gluten Free Bakeshop, Sedona (Bronze)
Keep Sedona Beautiful, Sedona (Silver)
L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona (Silver)
Laser Girl Skincare, Sedona and Prescott (Bronze)
Layla’s Bakery-Cafe, Sedona (Bronze)
Loo Loos, Rimrock (Silver)
M, N, and O
Make Sedona My Home, Sedona (Silver)
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Sedona (Bronze)
Momo’s Kitchen, Sedona (Bronze)
Nick of Time Productions, Clarkdale (Silver)
Oaxaca Restaurant, Sedona (Bronze)
Old Town Center for the Arts, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Organize A-Z, Sedona (Silver)
P. Q, and R
Page Springs Cellars, Page Springs (Silver)
Penny Lane Photography, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Pin Drop Travel Trailers, Globe (Silver)
Pines Inn & Suites, Cottonwood (Silver)
Pink Jeep Tours, Sedona (Bronze)
Plant 2 Platter, Sedona (Silver)
Rose Tree Inn, Sedona (Silver)
S
Salt Mine Wine, Camp Verde (Bronze)
Science Vortex, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Second Harvest Products, Page Springs (Bronze)
Sedona Beer Company, Sedona (Silver)
Sedona Cedars Resort, Sedona (Bronze)
Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Sedona (Bronze)
Sedona Community Food Bank, Sedona (Silver)
Sedona Golf Resort, VOC (Bronze)
Sedona Integrative Medical Clinic, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Sedona International Film Festival/Mary D Fisher Theatre, Sedona (Bronze)
Sedona Mago Retreat Center, Sedona (Bronze)
Sedona Mountain Bike Academy, Sedona (Silver)
Sedona Philosophy, Sedona (Bronze)
Sedona Recycles, Sedona (Silver)
Sedona Wine and Beer Tours, Sedona (Bronze)
Sherab Khandro Sacred & Contemporary Art, Sedona (Silver)
Sinagua Malt, Camp Verde (Silver)
Sky Ranch Lodge, Sedona (Silver)
Smart Window Creations, Clarkdale (Silver)
Snap Fitness - VOC, Village of Oak Creek (Silver)
Snap Fitness - West Sedona, Sedona (Silver)
Southwest Wine Center, Clarkdale (Silver)
Sterling Accounting & Tax, Cottonwood (Silver)
Sunrise Vista Suite, Clarkdale (Silver)
Synergy Lounge & Kitchen, Sedona (Silver)
T, U, V, X, Y, and Z
The Cactus Pad, Cottonwood (Bronze)
The Gathering Place, Sedona (Bronze)
The Wilde Resort and Spa, Sedona (Bronze)
Tlaquepaque, Sedona (Bronze)
Town of Clarkdale, Clarkdale (Silver)
Trailhead Tea, Sedona (Bronze)
United Way of Yavapai County, Prescott (Bronze)
Veganification, Sedona (Silver)
Verde River Growers, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Verde Valley Naturopathic Medicine, Sedona (Bronze)
Verde Valley Sanctuary, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Verde Valley School, VOC (Silver)
Verve Events & Tents, Cottonwood (Bronze)
Village Yoga, VOC (Silver)
Vino di Sedona, Sedona (Bronze)
Wine Tours of Sedona, Sedona (Bronze)
Wyndham Sedona, Sedona (Bronze)
Yogi Yoga Wear, Sedona (Bronze)
Upcoming Programs
Advancing Business Sustainability in the Verde Valley
On March 30, 2023 members of the Verde Valley community came together to learn about resources that help align businesses with sustainable targets. Sustainable business practices can save money, delight customers, and attract and retain great employees. Programs and organizations in the Verde Valley that assist business in becoming sustainable were presented.
Participants were introduced to programs that answer questions such as, Is your Verde Valley business using sustainable practices? If you are working to reduce waste, reuse existing materials, conserve water, minimize energy use, and strengthen the community, you could be gaining recognition in the community.
Verde Valley sustainability leaders are working to help regional businesses become more sustainable. In the attached slides meet program leaders in the area and learn about available resources.
Welcome and Sponsor Acknowledgement
Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization
Sustainable Business Certification
Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization
River Friendly Living - Friends of the Verde River
Verde Grown - Town of Camp Verde
Program and Community Contacts
VVREO: Lisa Voss
Community Engagement Consultant
C: 408-307-9471
lisa.a.voss@gmail.com
Town of Camp Verde: Sean Brooks
Economic Development Specialist
W: 928-554-0008
sean.brooks@campverde.az.gov
City of Cottonwood: Tricia Lewis
Tourism & Economic Development Director
W: 928-340-2729
tlewis@cottonwoodaz.gov
Town of Clarkdale: Ruth Mayday
Community Development Director
W: 928-639-2505
ruth.mayday@clarkdale.az.gov
Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau: Erin Bruce
Director of Partner Services
W: 928-204-1123, Ext. 120
ebruce@sedonachamber.com
