Small business owners make choices that affect the environment every day—whether it’s sourcing inventory from a local producer or eliminating single-use plastics. And while preserving the environment requires systemic change, business owners possess collective power to influence their industries, consumers, and local governments by making sustainability a priority.
To support environmentally friendly practices, Yelp launched a suite of new eco-friendly business attributes in 2022 to recognize businesses committed to sustainable practices—and to connect them to customers who care. More than 60% of U.S. consumers say they consider sustainability a major factor when making a purchase, and many are willing to pay more for products or services that are better for the environment.
Check out eco-friendly attributes you can add to your Yelp Business Page plus resources for how to communicate your eco-friendly values to your customers. It’s that easy to join a community of businesses making sustainable choices for the environment.
Explore the hub:
Eco-friendly business attributes
From the Yelp Blog
Business resources
On-demand videos
Eco-friendly business attributes
Business owners can add the following eco-friendly attributes to display on their Yelp Page. These free, searchable attributes help consumers find and support local businesses who have sustainable practices.
- EV charging stations available
- Plastic-free packaging
- Provides reusable tableware
- Bring your own container allowed
- Compostable containers available
Other relevant attributes you can add include “Bike parking” and “Vegan.”
How to add the eco-friendly attributes to your Yelp Page
- Log in to Yelp for Business (Business Information tab)
- In the Amenities section, click Add or Edit
- Select Yes next to to each applicable attribute
- Click Save
Businesses can also showcase their eco-friendly efforts on Yelp by uploading relevant photos and filling out the “From the business” section.
From the Yelp Blog
Business resources
In conjunction with Plastic Pollution Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, Upstream, ReThink Disposable (Clean Water Fund), Reusable LA, Food Rescue Hero, and more, we’ve collected an array of sustainability resources for businesses.
For all business types
Reuse for Onsite Dining Library | Upstream
This library is a co-branded, collective library of nearly 60 resources from 16 organizations to help businesses advocate for and achieve disposable-free dining. The resources can be used to build your case, write a policy, or guide implementation in your community.
4 impactful sustainable business practices that can make a difference
From the Harvard Business School Online’s Business Insights Blog, this post covers four key business practices and dives into the idea of the “third bottom line.”
5 eco-friendly business practices you can implement in your office (and beyond)
Consider implementing these best practices, like adding natural light and air ventilation improvements to working with cleaning supply companies who use eco-friendly cleaning bottles and send out refillable tabs that can be mixed with water in the original containers.
Develop a small business sustainability plan
This guide covers why it’s important to have a plan and details the five steps to creating one for your small business.
The role small businesses can play in building a sustainable future
This Forbes article lists the reasons why sustainability in your small business is a smart investment for the future—plus the ways you can integrate it in your business.
Five small business owners on practicing sustainability
This article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shares the stories of five business owners, from a family entertainment center in New Jersey to a framing and art supplies company in New Mexico.
Smart steps to sustainability 2.0
An updated guide from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created digitally and designed for small businesses.
How to achieve zero waste in your business
Zero waste is a tactic to not only help the environment but also to make businesses more efficient with their use of materials. This article breaks down the importance of zero waste and how to implement it step by step.
29 cost-saving sustainability ideas for businesses
Sustainability can save you money. This article contains over two dozen ways to reduce costs while saving the planet. Topics include energy efficiency, waste management, water consumption, and more.
What Is green marketing?
Green marketing allows companies to promote their sustainable business practices and back up their commitment to social responsibility. This guide will teach you how it works and why it’s worth pursuing.
Ways to go green in your small business
Even the smallest business can make an environmental impact. Learn how to go green in small, manageable steps.
What really happens to your plastic “recycling”
Get the truth behind plastics and what happens to them after the recycling bin (spoiler alert: the details may surprise you).
Tools and calculators
The Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard | Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) and partners
A free, easy-to-use, science-based online tool that assesses the sustainability impacts of common foodware and food packaging choices.
Foodprints Calculators | Food Rescue Hero
Six different tools to help you understand how much your food choices impact the planet.
What’s your carbon footprint? quiz | Clever Carbon
Discover the impact of your travel, energy, and consumption habits. Plus, learn about carbon literacy and ways to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Reusable and sustainable foodware guides
Ocean Friendly Foodware Guide | Surfrider
A guide for purchasing foodware like takeout containers, utensils, and cups. It includes a terminology breakdown, tiered foodware suggestions (noted as “best choice” or “good alternative”), and worksheets to help you evaluate the cost and benefits.
Quick Guide to Ocean Friendly Restaurants | Surfrider
A 7-step guide for restaurants to align with Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, with criteria like no plastic bags, paper straws only provided upon request, and beverages not being sold in plastic bottles.
Reuse Wins | Upstream
A report that compares the environmental impacts of disposables versus reusables, the economic data available on savings to businesses, and projections regarding the growth opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs.
The Truth About Bioplastics | Surfrider
A resource that explores that while bioplastics are often marketed as eco-friendly options, they can still end up as toxic as regular plastics. It explains why that’s the case and what you should use instead.
Choose to Reuse | Reusable LA
A collection of resources that break down why reusables are the best choice for both restaurants and customers, in English and Spanish. It shows that they’re safe and save money, all while protecting the planet.
Plastic-Free Eateries | Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC)
A guide for how restaurant and food business owner/operators can reduce plastic in food preparation, service, and delivery.
Reuse 101 | Upstream
A resource hub containing toolkits, reports, articles, podcasts, and more—designed to educate the community about reuse.
Reuse in Food Service | Upstream
Includes case studies showcasing how restaurants and institutions made the switch to reusables without drastically changing their current dishwashing setup or increasing labor costs.
Reuse vs. Single-use: economics, and the environment | Upstream
These guides break down the impact reusables have in these three key areas. For example, the average savings for a small business are between $3,000 and $22,000—with environmental benefits that include eliminating 1,300-2,200 lbs. of waste per business.
The New Reuse Economy | Upstream
Check out the groundbreaking innovation and technology that make it possible for cafes, restaurants, professional offices, temporary venues and events, and college campuses to bring reusables into the food and beverage space.
Food rescue and insecurity
Food Rescue University | Food Rescue Hero
Learn more about how food rescue works with this robust set of materials that includes more info on the technology that connects food-service businesses, volunteers, and those in need.
412 Food Rescue FAQ | Food Rescue Hero
From a local Philadelphia food rescue, this FAQ answers questions like “how does food rescue work?” and “are donations tax deductible?”
On-demand videos
Redefining what we eat with Shuggie’s
In today’s competitive business landscape, differentiation is not just beneficial—it’s essential. As markets become saturated and consumer options increase, businesses must find unique ways to stand out and capture attention, especially in the restaurant business, where differentiation can often be the key to survival and success.
Shuggie’s, a pioneering restaurant in San Francisco, has redefined dining by focusing on sustainability and reducing food waste. By transforming conventional sourcing, menu creation, and customer experience practices, founders Kayla Abe and David Murphy demonstrate how businesses can thrive by embracing innovation.
Read more about their story.
How everyday chores inspire change with Spin Laundry
Spin Laundry, started in 2014 by Morgan Gary, uniquely prioritizes sustainability by investing in the most energy-efficient machines in the world, providing clients chemical free detergents for free, using LED bulbs, offsetting a portion of their electricity through energy programs, and donating lost clothing and socks to local shelters.
Doing it ‘for the bees’ with Khaled’s Alive Bee Removal Service
Khaled Almaghafi is like the bees he keeps—hardworking, generous, and respectful. After growing up in a family of beekeepers in Yemen, Khaled moved to California, which he’d heard was paradise for bees. He initially struggled to find a job, but eventually connected with a local in the beekeeping industry. He then went on to start two businesses of his own: Khaled’s Alive Bee Removal Service and Bee Healthy Honey Shop.
Between the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has directly affected his loved ones, and environmental factors continually threatening bee populations, Khaled has endured a range of hardships. But he remains optimistic and persistent, throwing his energy toward teaching community members about beekeeping and supporting his family through his businesses.
Read more about Khaled’s story.
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.