CAPITOLA, Calif. –– Bay Federal Credit Union is reporting it has transformed its Salinas, Watsonville, Freedom, and Aptos Branches, garnering Green Business Certifications and joining more than 4,500 businesses in the California Green Business Network.
The conversion, which involved implementing 50-plus sustainable measures, established a blueprint for Bay Federal to “Go Green” with its entire branch network.
“To help protect our precious natural resources, Bay Federal is committed to being a good environmental steward,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal’s president and CEO. “We’re pledging to bring all of our branches into the California Green Business Network in the coming months.”
Micah Arnold, facilities senior project coordinator, spearheaded Bay Federal’s participation in the green business programs, using a strategic approach. As a result, many of the changes that were implemented at Bay Federal’s Green Business Certified branches have already been put in place at other locations.
Methodical Approach
“Because we have multiple locations and departments, 240 employees, and financial regulations that we’re required to meet, we had to methodically assess each measure and then plan accordingly,” Arnold said. “The bonus is that this will allow us to certify our other locations faster.”
The credit union said Arnold and his team worked with Jakki Castorena-Davila, a bilingual sustainability consultant with the CGB Network, to ensure Bay Federal’s success in its continued green evolution. Castorena-Davila regularly assists businesses in the tri-county area in fulfilling the program requirements.
“It’s really important that businesses take this as a step because we all have to deal with climate change, and this is a way that businesses can reduce their environmental impact,” Ms. Castorena-Davila said.
Combined Contributions
Santa Cruz County now has 325 businesses in the CGB Network. According to VCCU, combined they have:
- Saved over 2.7 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions
- Saved over 1.7 million kilowatt hours of energy
- Saved over 4.5 million gallons of water
- Saved over 2,000 gallons of fuel
Resources Available
“You’ll have many resources to help you to certify,” Arnold said. “Whether you’re concerned about how using non-toxic cleaning products will impact your operations or you’re unsure how to implement the changes — or even how you will fund the changes — your program coordinator will hold your hand through the entire process.”
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