Hawai‘i Green Business Program
The Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) is a free state program that assists and recognizes businesses that strive to operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
In 2024/2025, the energy efficiency measures of the HGBP businesses resulted in 38.8 million gallons of water saved, 6.5 million kWh of electricity saved, 22.7 tons of green waste diverted, 12,372 tons of waste recycled,119,110 therms (1 therm = 100,000 BTUs) of gas saved, 6,725 metric tons of CO2 equivalent for electricity kWh reduced and 945 metric tons of CO2 equivalent for gas reduced.
ABOUT
A partnership between the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, the State’s Department of Health, and the Board of Water Supply, this program recognizes businesses that are dedicated to creating a sustainable Hawai‘i.
Through improvements in operational efficiency, procurement procedures, regulatory compliance and community relations, HGBP members see improvement to their financial bottom line while supporting efforts towards a more sustainable Hawai‘i.
Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Get Recognized
The Hawai‘i Green Business Program recognizes recipients (businesses, events, and venues) who practice energy efficiency and sustainable measures that will help their bottom line while advancing Hawai‘i’s clean energy and sustainability goals.
Apply
Now accepting submissions for the 2025-2026 recognition ceremony.
- Deadline is July 10, 2026*
- Contact us at [email protected] for more information, a fillable PDF copy of checklist, *or if you need an extension
Hotels & Resort
Brewery & Distillery
Event
Grocery Store
Office & Retail
Venue
Restaurant & Food Service
Restaurant & Food Service 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Brewery & Distillery 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Event 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Farm 10-ELP checklist (coming soon)
Grocery Store 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Housing 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Office & Retail 10-ELP online checklist
(Printable PDF)
Depending on the results from your checklist, a site visit may be scheduled. Working in coordination with Board of Water Supply and Dept. of Health, an auditor will contact and work with your business to verify your responses to your checklist with an in-person Site Visit.
After all steps are completed, applicants will be eligible for recognition as a Hawai‘i Green Business. Businesses are then encouraged to display the Hawai‘i Green Business Program logo, promote networking opportunities, public relations, and to increase public awareness. Members may re-enroll to receive HGBP recognition as they continue to improve.
Awardees
Support local businesses!
Click on the map to see Hawai‘i Green Business Program awardees in your area.
Or find them in the list.
Events
Upcoming Events:
The 2025 – 2026 Awards Ceremony will be held in late summer / early fall 2026 (date TBD).
Resources
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Sustainable Management of Food
Working with local farmers is a great way to reduce the overall environmental footprint of your business. This not only supports local businesses and the local economy, but also reduces shipping costs and emissions. See Hawaiʻi Organic Farmers Association and Fair Trade for suppliers.
The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council (HCC)
EDF Seafood Selector (Environmental Defense Fund)
Aloha Harvest (Food Donations)
Hawaii Foodbank (Food Donations)
Dept of Energy’s Professional Home Energy Assessments
Dept of Energy’s Do-It-Yourself Energy Assessment
Energy Star Multifamily New Construction
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative – Energy Wise Program
Occupant Practices
Use a programmable thermostat, seal air leaks around windows, doors, and/or cracks with caulk, seal around windows and doors with weatherstripping (Dept of Energy’s Renters DIY Tips and Tricks). Change your air filter regularly, tune up your HVAC equipment yearly, install ENERGY STAR certified cooling equipment (Energy Star – Heat and Cool Efficiently, Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR).
Use light switch signage reminders or prominently placed house rules to remind residents and/or staff to turn off lights/AC or use occupancy sensors to control lighting/AC/heat/TV.
Coming soon
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
Energy Star (U.S. Department of Energy)
Energy Star Certified Products (U.S. Dept of Energy)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Heat Island Effect
O‘ahu: Board of Water Supply – for water conserving tips and incentives
Maui: Board of Water Supply – for conserving tips and incentives
Hawai‘i Island: Department of Water Supply – for conserving tips and incentives
Kaua‘i: Board of Water Supply – for conserving tips and incentives
Water Sense (United States Environmental Protection Agency)
O‘ahu: Home | Department of Environmental Services
Maui: Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division
Beach Clean-ups and Educational Programs: Plastic Free Hawaii
Beach Clean-ups and Waste Diversion Services: Sustainable Coastlines
O‘ahu: Proper Waste Disposal/Recycling
O‘ahu: Opala Home | Department of Environmental Services
State of Hawai‘i, Dept. of Health: E-waste Recycling in Hawaii
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – WasteWise: Prevention checklist & Waste Assessment
Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch (State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health)
Honolulu Clean Cities Electric Vehicle Policies
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Pollution Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Chemicals under Toxic Substance Control Act
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Green Vehicle Guide
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative: Commercial Programs
Give back to the community: Donate what you don’t need. Your waste could be someone else’s treasure. Donate used linen, furniture, or leftover food to a non-profit organization or community group.
Baseyard O‘ahu
Re-use Hawaii O‘ahu
The Arc of Hilo Hawai‘i Island
Maui Recycling Maui
Kauai Habitat for Humanity Kaua‘i
Clean the World Hotel Recycling Program
Call2Recycle (Battery Recycling)
Biodegradable Products Institute
Plastic Loose Fill Council (polystyrene loose fill recycling program)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Purchase paper products (tissues, toilet paper and paper towels) with 30% or higher recycled content.
O‘ahu bus: TheBus
Hawai‘i Island Hele-On Bus: Hawaii County, HI Mass Transit Agency | Home Transit
The Kaua‘i Bus: Transportation Agency – Kauai County, HI
County of Maui Bus: Bus Service & Schedule Information | Maui County, HI – Official Website
| Type | Brand | Supplier | Item Reference | Certification |
| Containers & Utensils | Eco-Products | Eco-Products | Ecoproducts.com/index.php | BPI, USDA Biobased, FSC® |
| Containers & Utensils | Sustainable Island Products LLC | Sustainable Island Products LLC | 70% non-GMO compostable plastic, compostable in commercial composting facilities. https://sustainableislandproducts.com | BPI |
| Containers & Utensils | World Centric | -Diamondhead Distributors -Hansen -VIP -Malolo -Premium, Inc. -Suisan Company, Ltd | Compostable plastic, compostable in commercial composting Worldcentric.org/ | BPI, CMA, USDA Biobased, FSC® |
| Catering Containers | Eco-Products | Eco-Products | www.ecoproducts.com | BPI, USDA Biobased |
| Catering Containers | World Centric | -Diamondhead Distributors -Hansen -VIP -Malolo -Premium, Inc. -Suisan Company, Ltd. | Compostable plastic, compostable in commercial composting facilities. Worldcentric.org/biocompostables/trays/catering | BPI, CMA, USDA Biobased, FSC® |
| Plastic Bags & Trash Bags | Sustainable Island Products LLC | Sustainable Island Products LLC | Compostable and biodegradable. Waste bags and take-out. https://sustainableislandproducts.com/ | BPI |
| Plastic Bags & Trash Bags | World Centric | -Diamondhead Distributors -Hansen -VIP -Malolo -Premium, Inc. | Waste bags and liners. Compostable (suitable for home composting). Worldcentric.org/biocompostables/bags | BPI, CMA, USDA Biobased, FSC® |
| Type | Brand | Supplier | Item | Certification |
| Hand Soap | Ecolab | Ecolab | Clean & Smooth (Nexa) – Liquid Hand Soap | Green Seal |
| Hand Soap | Honey Bee Cleaners LLC | Honey Bee Cleaners LLC | Foaming Hand Soap | EPA DfE |
| Hand Soap | Tough Guy or GOJO | Grainger | Hand Soap Refills (biodegradable) | USDA Biobased |
| Dish Detergent | ECOS Earth Friendly Products | Grainger | Dishmate / Wave Automatic Dishwasher Gel | EPA Safer Choice |
| Sanitizer & Disinfectant | Honey Bee Cleaners LLC | Honey Bee Cleaners | Pine Guard Disinfectant | EPA DfE |
| Sanitizer & Disinfectant | Purell | Office Depot | Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Purell Foodservice Sanitizer | EPA DfE |
| Sanitizer & Disinfectant | Tough Guy | Grainger & Sustainable Supply | Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner | EPA Standards |
| Floor Cleaner | Ecolab | Ecolab | FaciliPro Concentrated Neutral Floor Cleaner (QC) | Green Seal |
| Floor Cleaner | EnvirOx LLC | EnvirOx LLC | Neutral Floor Cleaner & Neutral Floor Cleaner Hyper-Concentrate | Green Seal |
| Floor Cleaner | Tough Guy | Grainger | Floor Cleaner | Ecologo |
| Floor Cleaner | 3M | Grainger | Twist ‘n Fill Cleaners and Dispensers (3-in-1 Floor Cleaner, Concentrate) | Green Seal |
See Act 239 of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes and Executive Order 25-01
| Type | Brand | Supplier | Item Reference | Certification |
| Office Paper | Boise | Office Depot | Boise® ASPEN® 30 Multipurpose Paper, Letter Size Paper, 20 lb. 30% Recycled | FSC® Certified |
| Office Paper | Office Depot | Office Depot | Office Depot® Brand EnviroCopy® 30 Paper, Letter Size Paper, 20 lb. 30% Recycled | FSC® Certified |
| Napkins | Georgia-Pacific | Y. Hata & Co., Ltd Premium Incorporated | 37835 Dixie® Full Fold Napkin. 30% Post-Consumer content, compostable https://www.gppro.com/gp/undefined/GP-PRO-Categories/Commercial-Napkins-and-Commercial-Napkin-Dispensers/DIXIE%C2%AE-FULL-FOLD-1-PLY-NAPKIN-DISPENSER-REFILL-BY-GP-PRO-GEORGIA-PACIFIC-13%22-X-12% 22-BROWN-7-200-NAPKINS-PER-CASE/p/37835?site=gppro | BPI, EPA, SFI, CMA, USGBC |
| Napkins | Tork® | Triple F | Tork® Universal Quality ⅛ Fold Dinner Napkin. 100% recycled, 40% Post-Consumer content https://www.fffhawaii.com/p/SCA-N5181A/Tork-Universal-Quality-1-8-Fold-Dinner-Napkin-149-x-17-White/ | BPI, EcoLogo, EPA |
| Napkins | World Centric | -Diamondhead Distributors -Hansen -VIP -Malolo -Premium, Inc. -Suisan Company, Ltd. | World Centric Napkins & Towels. 100% PCW recycled, compostable Worldcentric.org/biocompostables/paper/napkins | BPI, CMA USDA Biobased FSC® |
| Paper towels & rolls | Georgia- Pacific | Y. Hata & Co., Ltd Premium Incorporated | 20389 GP Preference® MF Towel. 40% recycled content Catalog.gppro.com/catalog/6197/9328?filter=FULL | USGBC, SFI®, EPA compliant |
| Paper towels & rolls | Georgia- Pacific | Premium Incorporated | 89740 GP enMotion® Flex Recycled Paper Towel Rolls. 100% recovered material and minimum of 50% post-consumer material. https://www.gppro.com/gp/gppro/USD/GP-PRO-Categories/Commercial-Paper-Towels-and-Dispensers/ENMOTION %C2%AE-FLEX-RECYCLED-PAPER-TOWEL-ROLLS-BY-GP-PRO-GEORGIA-PACIFIC-BROWN-6-ROLLS-PER-CASE/p/89740 | Green Seal, SFI®, USGBC, USDA Biobased Product EPA compliant |
| Paper towels & rolls | Wausau Paper | EcoSoft™ Roll Towels. 100% recycled content | Green Seal | |
| Toilet paper | Seventh Generation | Sustainable Supply | 137038 Seventh Generation Bath Tissue. 100% recycled materials https://www.sustainablesupply.com/collections/recycled-toilet-paper/products/seventh-generation-100-recycled-bathroom-tissue-septic-safe-2-ply-white-500-sheets-jumbo-roll-60-carton-sev137038 | EPA Safer Choice, FSC® |
| Toilet paper | Marcal Paper | Sustainable Supply | 5001 Marcal Pro Bath Tissue. 100% recycled content https://www.sustainablesupply.com/collections/recycled-toilet-paper/products/marcal-paper-100-recycled-two-ply-bath-tissue-septic-safe-2-ply-white-500-sheets-roll-48-rolls-carton-mrc5001 | Green Seal |
| Toilet paper | Wausau Paper | EcoSoft™ Bath Tissue 100% recycled content | Green Seal |
| Name | Specification | Contact |
| A & A Specialty Services | Feed goats and pigs | (808) 230-1745 |
| Al’s Hog Farm | Located on O‘ahu’s west side, could potentially offer pick-up service | (808) 696-7274 |
| David Wong’s Mountain View Dairy & Piggery | Pigs are vegetarian fed; the farm will accept only produce | (808) 383-3972 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Need more information? Review our list of commonly asked questions and answers.
Benefits include:
• Reduced waste and utility costs
• Improved systems and equipment performance
• Positive public recognition and business promotion
• Attracting environmentally conscious customers
• Demonstrating community good will
• Establishing good relationships with regulators
• Providing a safer workplace
• Motivating and recognizing employees’ environmental efforts
See the APPLY section for a list of checklists, and review to see if you qualify.
To increase your conservation measures, see our RESOURCES section for ways to improve.
If you are a large business, see the full checklists.
If you are a small business, see the 10-Entry Level Program checklists. You only need to select 10 items on the checklist to qualify.
If you don’t see a checklist for your business type, then you can use the Office/Retail checklist (available in both full and 10-ELP).
Yes, it is free to apply. The mission of the HGBP is to assist businesses with furthering their conservation effects to create a more sustainable Hawai‘i.
HGBP Contact
Email the Hawaiʻi Green Business Program at [email protected]