Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
and
the
Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)
Virginia Green Online Certification
Overview:
Virginia Green is the statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia’s tourism industry. It is a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The program awards Virginia Green Certification to tourism-related business such as hotels, restaurants and attractions taking voluntary actions to reduce harmful impacts on the environment.
Description:
Businesses operating in tourism related industries and implementing “green” practices may apply for Virginia Green certification as an environmentally friendly Virginia business. Certification is currently accomplished through a labor intensive and time consuming manual paper process. DEQ staff has difficulty keeping up with demand. Soon, businesses will be able to apply for and receive certification online. Applicants will be guided through the process to collect information about their business. Upon submission, staff at DEQ will be notified. DEQ can then review the application for approval or rejection. Once approved, the applicant will be notified via email, given an official certificate and will be automatically listed and branded on the Virginia.org website as Virginia Green certified. Benefits:
- Time
Improved customer service – the manual process is so labor-intensive that DEQ staff can not keep up with demand resulting in two to three week delays in the approval process. Often applications are incomplete or incorrect resulting in further effort and delay. The automated service guides users through the online forms while validating input and insuring complete forms. It also uses a web based administrative tool to expedite the approval process. By DEQ estimates, the automated service will reduce agency time spent on Virginia Green each week by as much as 86% or 20 to 25 work hour per week.
- Money
Increased industry participation on the Virginia.org website – This service benefits the Commonwealth’s economy as more environmentally friendly business can be promoted by VTC and quickly recognized by citizens looking to use “green” businesses.
Reduced mailing costs – Businesses will no longer need to print and mail applications and the agency will no longer need to mail certification notices and printed profiles. At current application rates, this is a savings of roughly $22 per month in postage for the agency.
- “Green”
Less printed paper – The manual process requires business to complete and print a minimum four page application “check list” and mail it in. The automated system eliminates all printed applications. Also, the currently printed business “profiles” for certified businesses, typically 10 to 12 pages, will now be generated and distributed electronically. The automated process will save over 5,000 printed pages – or half a tree - annually.
Increased green participation – Marketing opportunities offer excellent incentive for Virginia businesses to start implementing or promoting green practices. Enormous amounts of resources can be saved, recycled or reused.
Links:
DEQ Virginia Green site: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/virginiagreen/Virginia Green tourism site: www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org
Online application: N/A - secure login requiring VTC Partner Access
Virginia.gov Open House 2009 |
1111 East Main Street, Suite901
| Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 786-4718 | Toll Free: 1-877-4VA-EGOV (1-877-482-3468)