The Eco-City Business program is a free program from the City of Alexandria that provides technical support to local businesses to help you save money, conserve energy and water, reduce waste, and achieve your sustainability goals—while also improving your bottom line. 

All Eco-City Businesses receive marketing materials and support, including physical and digital decals to show your participation, inclusion in City communications on green businesses, and guidance from the Office of Climate Action on taking your sustainability efforts to the next level. Businesses that have already taken action to be sustainable can earn recognition as a Silver or Gold Eco-City Business!

The Office of Climate Action is looking forward to working with businesses on sustainability. This type of collaborative action is crucial to achieving the Environmental Action Plan 2040 goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and by 80 to 100% by 2050. Together, we can make Alexandria a greener place to live, work, and visit.

Fill out this form to sign up today!

Interested in saving energy and reducing utility bills at your business? The actions below are a great starting point. 

You can also enroll in free programs from Dominion Energy for a free energy assessment and rebates on energy-efficient lighting:

• To join Dominion's Building Engagement Program, email josh.ward@honeywell.com.
• To join Dominion's Commercial Lighting Systems and Controls program, get in touch with one of their contractors.
  • Or, email barbara.waterman@honeywell.com.
• And, here is where you can find all of Dominion’s programs for businesses: domsavings.com/my-business

The Eco-City Business Program hosts webinars that dive into specific topics to help businesses save money, attract customers, and be more sustainable. All local businesses are invited to join these webinars, and registration links will be posted to this page as they are available. 

Next webinar

Stormwater Utility Credit Program and Flood Mitigation Grant (December 2025)

Every drop of stormwater plays a role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Join the Eco-City Business Program’s upcoming webinar to learn how the City’s Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program empowers businesses to manage stormwater, improve local water quality, and earn up to 50% off their stormwater utility fee.

• When: Thursday, December 11, 10-11 am
• Register: zoom.us/meeting/register/4jpWNSscRIyF7_QF1EZn5w
• Who: Open to all Alexandria businesses

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program, with guest speaker Camille Liebnitzky, PE, ENV SP, Stormwater Utility Manager and Senior Environmental Engineer with the City of Alexandria.

For more information, email Samantha.Heitsch@AlexandriaVA.gov.

Webinars will continue in 2026! Check back here for updates, or join the Eco-City Business program to have notifications for upcoming webinars and other program resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Previous Webinars

Missed a previous webinar? Visit this page for a recording and to find topic-specific resources.

Reducing Waste (November 2025)

We’ve all heard “reduce, reuse, recycle” – but what does that actually look like if you’re a local business? This webinar discussed how reducing waste can improve your bottom line, strategies for reducing waste at your business, and resources to help you get there.

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program, with guest speaker Howard Lee, City of Alexandria’s Resource Recovery Manager.

Marketing Your Sustainability (September 2025)

Research shows that customers value sustainability. This webinar discussed how businesses can leverage this in their marketing and brainstormed strategies for attendees to implement this at their businesses! 

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program. Guest speakers include Julie Chapman, ALX Dog Walk; Karen Butcher, Port City Brewing Company; and Suhyoon Wood, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.

Energy 101 (August 2025)

This webinar is designed to help local business owners and staff:

1. Develop a deeper understanding of how your business uses energy,
2. Identify ways to save money and electricity at your business, and
3. Take action, including how to enroll in free programs from Dominion that can provide support and financial incentives.

Speakers included Samantha Heitsch, Eco-City Business program coordinator at the City of Alexandria, and Josh Ward and Justin Deckert, who are from Dominion Energy’s Energy Conservation Programs for nonresidential customers.

Meet our network of Eco-City Businesses! Thank you for making eco-friendly choices, and keep up the good work.

Gold: 

• Port City Brewing Company

Silver: 

• Alexandria & Company
• Magpie Reclamations

Eco-City Business: 

• Alexandria Massage Therapy
• ALX Dog Walk
• Atlas Brew Works
• BeeLiner Diner
• Bluemont Local
• Del Ray Psych & Wellness
• District Biscuit Company
• Earthingwell
• Handy Bikes
• Hank's Oyster Bar
• Holistic Hair Studio
• Honey Do Today LLC
• Made in ALX
• MHD Builds
• Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop
• Noi's Kitchen
• Patagonia Old Town
• Penny Post
• Pippin Toy Co.
• Red Barn Mercantile
• Salon deZEN
• Stardust Vintage & Gift
• Sustainably D Marie LLC
• Ten Thousand Villages (King Street)
• The Dog Park
• Trek Bicycle Alexandria North
• UpCycle Creative Reuse Center
• Wonderologie LLC

Recognized businesses receive many benefits by participating in the program, including:

• A window cling to display your recognition at your business and a digital version for your website
• Inclusion in a list of sustainable businesses on the program website —which can elevate your presence with event coordinators and consumers who have demonstrated an interest in greener vendors
• Support from the Office of Climate Action for achieving the next recognition tier
• Resources on the benefits of integrating sustainability into your business, and information on the available incentives to help take these actions
• Money saved by achieving greater water and energy efficiency

Email Samantha Heitsch, City Sustainability Coordinator: Samantha.Heitsch@AlexandriaVA.gov

If you would like to receive eNews updates about the program, please subscribe to Alexandria eNews and select the Green Business Recognition Program topic.