What is the Green Business Partner Program?

The Green Business Partner Program provides the Aviation Department’s business partners with the opportunity to voluntarily participate in a range of sustainable initiatives and receive recognition for their efforts. Participants in the program are encouraged to implement sustainable practices that align with the Aviation Department’s sustainability focus areas, including air quality; energy; water conservation; outreach; policies and contracts; and waste and recycling. In addition to the sustainable benefits, active participants are recognized by the Aviation Department as leaders in sustainable business practices, further enhancing their reputation and attracting environmentally conscious customers.

The program is coordinated by the Aviation Department’s Sustainability Team and consists of the following steps:

1. Business partners register on the Green Business Partner portal and complete an online application, identifying sustainable best practices they follow and are committing to.
2. The Sustainability Team meets with the business partner to review the application and confirm the tier that the business partner has achieved.
3. Upon certification, the business partner receives a placard for display and other escalating recognition and benefits according to their tier.
4. On an annual basis, business partners recertify their applications, identifying any new best practices they participate in and have committed to, and can potentially qualify for a different tier.

Your responses will help us understand your existing efforts and aspirations as we aim to collaboratively enhance our collective sustainability impact. Your commitment is instrumental in shaping a sustainable future for the Phoenix Airport System, our business partners, and the broader community. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

How to register

Business partners must register on the Green Business Partner portal to be able to submit an online application to become a certified Green Business Partner. Follow these steps for registration:

1. Select “Registration” and enter the required information on the registration page. Please note, the SAP account number and company zip code must match the information on file with the Aviation Department. Once registration is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with link to complete the application.
2. Select the link in the email to continue registration.
3. Enter required information to establish your unique sign-in information.

How to create a new application

Once registered on the Green Business Partner portal, business partners must create, complete and submit a new application to be considered for certification as a Green Business Partner. Follow these steps for creating a new application:

1. Log in to the Green Business Portal using your unique username and password.
2. Under “My Applications” select “Start New Application” and enter required information on the page. Based on your business type, the application will be populated with sustainable best practices that are applicable. Please note, the customized application may take several minutes to load.
3. The application will then display best practices by focus area. Please provide a response for each best practice and approach each entry thoughtfully and accurately. Any unanswered entries will reappear at the end of your application prior to the submission and must be addressed to be able to submit.
4. Once all entries are complete, submit the application using the “Submit” button. Please note: If at any time, you are unable to finish your application, progress is automatically saved, and you can return to finish later.
5. Once the application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt by the Sustainability Team, which initiates the review process.

Description of the review and certification process

Once an application is received, the Sustainability Team will contact you within the next two business days to follow up and coordinate a site visit. The purpose of the site visit is to review the application for certification in the program at the appropriate tier, discuss planed or future initiatives, and answer any questions. Please note, the site visit must occur within 30 days to move forward in the process.

Following the site visit, the Sustainability Team may certify the application or follow up with any clarifications needed. You will receive an email confirmation when your application has been approved.

Explanation of certification tiers

The program includes three tiers of certification with escalating benefits. The tiers are based on the percentage of total applicable best practices the business partner has committed to. To qualify for the program, business partners must meet the minimum threshold percentage for the Green tier by already participating in and committing to at least 17% of the total applicable best practices. To achieve the Silver tier, business partners must already be participating in and have committed to 43 – 67%. For certification at the Gold tier, business partners must already be participating in and have committed to 68% or greater.

Recertification process

Your certification will be valid for 1 year. You will be invited by email to recertify 10 months following the certification date to ensure your recertification is complete before the expiration date. With recertification, you will be eligible for a different tier based on the best practices and commitments met at that time.

Communicating with the PHX Sustainability Team

Please see our contact information below if you have any questions. Please allow 1-3 business days for responses.

• Ryan Barton | Recycling Specialist | 602-309-1938 | mitchell.barton@phoenix.gov
• Brett Aiken | Recycling Coordinator | 602-206-5694 | brett.aiken@phoenix.gov
• Melissa Garcia | Administrative Assistant I | 602-273-2147 | melissa.garcia@phoenix.gov

Submitting technical issues

Issues can be submitted at General Technology Request (skyharbor.aero). Please select "Websites (Internal/External)" and provide contact information and a detailed explanation of the problem.