IMPORTANT NEWS...

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation Takes Strides to Improve Customers Service and Reduces Carbon Footprint

April 22, 2009

TALLAHASSEE—In celebration of Earth Day, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is sharing the steps it has taken in the past year to implement environmentally friendly practices and reduce its carbon footprint.  In an effort to provide better customer service, increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact, the department has enhanced business practices to meet all three goals.  What is better for DBPR customers, is better for the environment. 

Technology upgrades have helped the department reduce its dependency on paper.  A recently implemented system relies on document scanning to process, share and review documents statewide, thus increasing efficiency and reducing the need for paper, copies, and storage space.  Several department boards have moved to paperless meetings.  For just one board, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, this amounts to a paper-savings of approximately 500,000 pieces in one year, a savings of nearly 60 trees a year, according to Conservetree.  Other boards have implemented phone and e-meetings, thus reducing travel and CO2 emissions.  Reducing travel makes a big impact considering one round-trip flight from Tallahassee to Orlando emits 1.34 tons of CO2. 

Additionally, the department works to reduce its carbon footprint by taking small steps for great change.  All DBPR offices are equipped with recycling bins, and employees are actively encouraged to recycle.  Staff uses Green Lodging for travel and board meetings whenever possible.  Many divisions have moved publications to online or CD to reduce paper use.  Other divisions purchased fuel-efficient, flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles. 

This Earth Day, the department is urging professionals and businesses to implement environmentally friendly changes, both large and small.  These changes improve the condition of the environment, and can increase efficiency and improve your bottom line. 

The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.  The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists.  For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.