GreenGain, our exciting new online program, helps businesses measure and share their sustainability efforts, identify and implement new ways to go green, and earn Green America’s Business Certification.

GreenGain makes the certification process easy. The online assessment is a self-managed program that allows you to work in real time and at your own pace. When you join the Green Business Network, you'll receive access to log in to your GreenGain account and take the assessment for your business.

Green Business Network Members: Login to your GreenGain account now »

You can earn the Seal of Approval by following these simple steps:

1Assess your sustainability performance.

Using a points-based assessment system, GreenGain draws from over 800 factors customized to your company’s industry to help you assess environmental AND social performance. When you log into GreenGain, you submit an assessment as a quick way to determine your initial certification level (takes about 30-45 minutes). Each question highlights an initiative—a concrete and operational action your company can take to improve its sustainability performance.

2 Review your results and share your achievements with customers.

GreenGain calculates your score from the Assessment to determine your certification level. To reach each certification level, a business must complete the Core Practices initiatives and earn enough points assigned to that certification level. The Core Practices initiatives reflect Green America’s standards for businesses as they move deeper in their work on social and environmental responsibility. Once you reach a minimum of Bronze level, you can download your new Seal of Approval, complete with an online Sustainability Profile to share your achievements with clients and customers.

3 Identify and plan new sustainability projects strategically.

GreenGain conveniently lists hundreds of project ideas and resources all in one place, saving you time and allowing your company to tailor a customized roadmap according to your specific business needs and goals. Based on your company’s current activities, GreenGain prioritizes projects that provide the highest social and environmental benefit for the least investment of time and money, so your business can make the most progress possible with limited time and resources.

4 Go for Gold by completing the Gold level review.

The Gold level includes an independent review of public information, additional information provided by the business, and review of all collected information by the Standards Committee.

The Standards Committee looks for evidence that a business balances social justice practices (workers, supply chains, community) with environmental sustainability practices and has moved beyond general sustainability actions into a deeper focus on their core business area. Since points and checklists can never provide the full real and in-depth understanding of a business’ practices, we believe a direct process of dialogue helps us understand a company’s intentions, aspirations, actions, and challenges in implementing sustainability goals.

The standards review process may take up to 8 weeks (a little longer for franchises and more complex business models). In the end, each business is provided detailed feedback about how it can improve. We offer recommendations for initiatives to complete, as well as concrete examples, ideas, materials, and contacts to be even more sustainable.

Questions about the Gold Level Standards review process?
Please contact the Director of Standards and Seal of Approval at 202-872-5329 or standards@greenamerica.org