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DEC Launches New Sustainable Business Navigator
Program
Published: May 06, 2026 at
06:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
During National Small Business Week, DEC Launches New
Sustainable Business Navigator Program
Provides Free Cost-Cutting and Sustainability Advice
to Small Businesses
Advances Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda by
Helping Small Businesses Reduce Costs
In recognition of
National Small Business Week, New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the launch of
the Sustainable Business Navigator program to provide free advice to
small businesses so they can cut costs while also helping the environment.
Small businesses participating in the Sustainable Business Navigator
program receive free one-hour consultations with DEC sustainability experts
on ways to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency, and take additional
steps to reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs. The
program focuses on low-cost, high-impact actions that small businesses can
take along with providing referrals to project funding sources and
additional resources. For example, switching to LED light bulbs can reduce
lighting related energy costs by up to 90%.
“I encourage all
New York State small businesses to participate in Sustainable Business
Navigator consultations and partner with DEC in helping cut energy and
other operational costs, reduce waste, and protect our environment,” Commissioner
Lefton said. “There are so many ways that businesses can find
value in operating more sustainably, and this new program is a great
starting point for businesses ready to take the next step towards more
affordable and sustainable practices that benefit their bottom lines, New
York’s natural resources, and our communities.”
The Sustainable
Business Navigator is open to all businesses in New York State with 100 or
fewer employees. Small businesses interested in participating in the
program can fill out a registration form on DEC’s website.
Empire State
Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "At
Empire State Development, we know that when small businesses succeed, New
York succeeds. DEC's Sustainable Business Navigator gives small business
owners free, practical guidance to cut costs and operate more efficiently —
a benefit to the entrepreneurs who employ nearly half of New York's private
sector workforce. Sustainability and affordability go hand in hand, and we
applaud DEC for giving small businesses a powerful new tool to strengthen
their bottom lines and their communities."
DEC’s
Consultations are focused on providing businesses with information tailored
to their specific needs on ways that they can reduce costs, such as:
- Becoming more energy efficient,
- Reducing water use,
- Reducing waste generation; and
- Proper inventory management.
In addition, the
program can cover ways to learn where to find technical assistance and
funding for future projects.
DEC experts will
also provide guidance to help market a business’s sustainability
achievements to strengthen relationships with existing customers and
attract new ones.
Consultations can
take place in person at the business or virtually.
Small businesses
make up 98% of New York State businesses and employ 40% of New York’s
private sector workforce. DEC’s new program builds on other State actions
to support small businesses.
Small businesses
and organizations providing services to them can sign up to learn more about
DEC’s program during an informational webinar taking place on
Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.
More information
about the Sustainable Business Navigator program is available
on DEC’s website.
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