Search
 
Frequently
Asked Questions
Environmental Health

Clean & Green Program

The San Francisco Department of Public Health Clean & Green Program provides free pollution prevention workshops, environmental tools, private consultation, and health education materials to San Francisco businesses and agencies. Exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace is a major health risk in many of our city's industries while adversely impacting the health of our environment. The Hazardous Materials and Waste Program regulates businesses with hazardous materials onsite. Using practical pollution prevention strategies, the Hazardous Materials and Waste Program's Clean & Green Program helps businesses avoid or reduce the use of toxic chemicals in an effort to decrease health related hazards to workers while promoting environmental health.

Businesses in San Francisco are beginning to understand the value of having a program like this in their community. This free and voluntary program aims to prevent future health problems and accidents involving chemicals in the workplace, and fosters an open level of communication between the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the private business sector. To date we have successfully converted over 50 businesses into thinking "clean & green".

Free Training and Consultation

The Clean & Green Program assists and recognizes San Francisco businesses that model precautionary business practices. Training includes technical assistance for preventing workers’ exposure to toxins and chemicals through various methods, such as using products containing less hazardous ingredients. We also train your business on best environmental management practices that can help your bottom line.

The Clean & Green Program has provided a series of workshops to the automotive industry in San Francisco. The workshops were co-sponsored by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). In addition to an informative presentation on pollution prevention and industry health hazards, workshop attendees were given product samples, pollution prevention t-shirts, posters, and training videos. The program also works with the marine repair industry, and in the future will include garment cleaners, printers and marinas.

Your Business Can Be Clean & Green

The program continues to promote best environmental business practices to San Francisco businesses and industries. We are developing industry-specific environmental purchasing guides for businesses in order to help them make better informed chemical decisions.

The SFDPH is also a partner in the San Francisco Green Business Program, a participating county in the Bay Area Green Business Program.

Clean & Green Industry-Specific Checklists

The Clean & Green standards are listed on checklists for each industry type with which we currently work. In order to be recognized as Clean & Green, a business must complete the minimum requirements as described in the checklist. Please click below to download the appropriate checklist for your sector: auto repair services or auto body services. Future industry sectors include: marina, marine repair/boat yards and marine transport/fleet maintenance. Please contact us at (415) 252-3907 if you have questions, or when you have completed the checklist and would like verification to be recognized as Clean & Green.

Downloadable Pollution Prevention Checklists: