Green Business Certification

environmental leader logo
Display the Environmental Leader logo to your customers and business partners to show that your business is certified by the state as being an “Environmental Leader”

Welcome to our green business certification program. Our Office of Innovation and Assistance partners with The University of New England and the University of Southern Maine to provide student to business experiential learning.

The Environmental Leader program is a self-guided process offered by Maine DEP as part of its sustainability efforts that encourages businesses to implement initiatives outlined in the department-developed workbook to achieve points toward certification. As businesses work through the process, DEP's Environmental Leader staff provide free technical assistance to help participants implement sustainable practices, save money and reduce their environmental impact, regardless of whether they achieve certification.

Maine's Environmental Leader Certification: Lodging Businesses

“Our guests are welcomed by Maine’s beautiful natural resources. It is important for our business success to protect and preserve our environment,” explained Sheepscot Harbour Village & Resort owner Audrey Miller.

“As a certified Maine Environmental Leader in hospitality, we have taken the initiative to show that our values are consistent with our guests’ values and encourage everyone to join us. We appreciate the Maine DEP’s support in this voluntary partnership.”

So far, more than 100 Maine lodging businesses have earned points for practices such as using biodegradable cleaning supplies; placing recycling bins in guest rooms and common areas; providing refillable amenity dispensers rather than individual containers for shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion in guest rooms; using water conserving faucets and showerheads; and educating patrons about the facility’s green initiatives.

Businesses submit their completed workbook to DEP’s Office of Innovation and Assistance (OI&A) for review and certification approval and must increase their point total to be recertified after two years.

How the program works:

  1. Download the electronic self-certification workbook (e-workbook). Note there are now two different workbooks available in different formats:
  2. Complete the self-certification e-workbook by checking the initiatives that your facility is currently undertaking. If you need assistance filling out the workbook, please email Julie Churchill. Julie will be able to connect your business with our higher learning partners to facilitate on-site technical assistance. Also see our technical assistance information for workbook points.
  3. Calculate your estimated score by adding the checked boxes points. Be sure to save a copy of your completed e-workbook at your business.
  4. Email a copy of your completed e-workbook to Julie Churchill, Office of Innovation and Assistance (OI&A)
  5. Your workbook will be reviewed and receive a final score.
    Free technical assistance is available from DEP’s OI&A partnering with our higher learning institutes to help any business achieve more points, regardless of point total. Low cost recommendations will be given to help businesses achieve more points.
    If your business scores 100 points, your business qualifies for an automatic certification from the state for 2 years. In two years you will need to increase the point total to 130 to be eligible for a free re-certification.
  6. Upon final scoring of the workbook, you will be sent an official letter detailing your point total and further resources. You will also receive an electronic Environmental Leader logo that you can begin using for marketing and advertising purposes.
  7. The OI&A in coordination with our higher learning partners will randomly select businesses for verification appointments throughout the year.