platinum
969
gbb points earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
To reduce scope 3 emissions, 75-99% of your workdays are either remote or employees use public transportation, walking, or biking to get to work
55
Your home is powered by on-site renewable energy
50
Use high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, like high efficiency toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs) to minimize water use and waste
48
Upgrade from older fluorescent T12, T8 and T5 lamps to LED alternatives
36
Use a tankless or otherwise highly efficient hot water heater
36
Replace your home’s water-intensive grass with regionally native, climate resilient ground coverings
35
Have a composting program for your business/home food waste
30
Install a smart irrigation controller that uses weather or soil moisture data to irrigate appropriately
27
Implement a sustainability process and standard for all meetings, conferences, and events
25
Optimize your on-premise servers and business systems by ensuring the hardware is up-to-date and energy efficient
24
Provide transit passes or funds to employees as part of the benefits package to encourage public transportation usage
24
Use washable electrostatic furnace and air conditioning filters to reduce waste and improve indoor air quality
20
After completing the energy audit/assessment, develop a comprehensive energy use and conservation plan with measurable goals to optimize energy usage and reduce emissions
20
At the bare minimum, purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances for all home office equipment
20
Eliminate all single-use paper, styrofoam or plastic cups, plates, and utensils in the kitchen area. Use reusable mugs, dishes, and silverware instead
18
Plant native, region-friendly plants to minimize the impact on the local habitat and to limit the amount of irrigation water needed
18
Schedule regular maintenance on company vehicles to ensure each vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible to reduce emissions
18
Install light switch occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present
18
Eliminate all physical marketing materials, rely only on digital methods
18
Choose a pest control service that minimizes the use of toxic pesticides and the negative health effects on building occupants and the environment
16
Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC or A/C system
16
Purchase and serve at least 75% local, organic, and fair trade food and drink
16
Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to automate your home HVAC or A/C system
16
Purchase all office paper products made from 50-100% recycled materials
12
Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight; design future spaces with natural lighting opportunities in mind
12
Use a drip irrigation system for watering landscaping
12
Purchase or lease used or recycled office equipment and furniture
12
Optimize the color of your outside walls and the roof for your climate
12
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to reduce business scope 2 emissions
12
Install bike racks outside of the office or choose a building with ample bike racks on-site to support the amount of employees
12
All windows in your home are double pane, low-E, and energy efficient
12
Install water catchment systems to collect rainwater for use in home garden irrigation
10
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Conduct a comprehensive water usage assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of water usage and waste
8
Install water flow rate controls (aerators) on faucets to reduce water waste
8
Install a filtered water tap or water bottle refill station that provide high-quality drinking water and encourage employees to use them in place of bottled water
8
Purchase trash bins and liners made from 100% bio-based or 50-100% recycled materials
8
Conduct an energy assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of energy use and waste
8
Ensure all windows and doors are properly installed, functioning, maintained, and weather-stripped, etc.
8
Encourage employee carpools
8
Significantly limit the amount of physical marketing materials you produce and limit amount of paper used (envelopes from marketing materials – use fold and mail when possible)
8
Complete a consumption and waste audit to help identify and quantify the items your business acquires, uses, and discards
8
Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, bio-based cleaning products
8
Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs that last longer and save energy
8
Install timers on non-essential electrical appliances and reduce “vampire loads” by unplugging them when not in use to reduce business scope 2 emissions
8
Ensure there are no harmful VOCs or chemical fumes in building furnishings, coverings, and walls including paint, curtains/blinds, carpet, flooring, and furniture
8
Undergo regular and complete check-ups and maintenance of your HVAC or A/C system
8
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers and encourage use by creating incentives
8
Conduct an energy assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of home energy use and waste
8
Weatherize your home by ensuring all windows and doors in your home are properly installed, functioning, maintained, weather-stripped, etc.
8
Choose paperless billing with vendors, business partners, and suppliers when possible
6
Eliminate unnecessary paper usage as much as possible including forms, contracts, meeting agendas and materials, proofs, and drafts
6
Administer company-wide employee training on sustainability efforts both at work and at home
6
Apply window film to reduce excess solar heat in the building
5
Use natural light throughout 75% of the day instead of overhead lights
5
Locate home office in room with ample windows to take advantage of daylighting
5
Become an active member, either by serving on the board, donating or volunteering time for an organization that continually works to improve the environment nationally or in your area
4
Recycle or sell your used toner cartridges
4
Purchase recycled or remanufactured toner cartridges
4
Develop a paper reduction policy that clearly defines when and how items should be printed to significantly reduce paper usage and consumption
4
Change your HVAC or A/C filters every six months or more frequently as is recommended by filter type
4
Regularly test your irrigation system to ensure proper configuration, optimized watering schedule, and eliminate overwatering and waste
4
Reduce junk mail by removing your business’ name from national direct marketing databases
4
Eliminate the use of disposable batteries and switch entirely to rechargeable
4
Print and copy double-sided when possible, to significantly reduce paper use and waste
4
Make your business’ sustainability efforts a central part of your message by filling out and linking to your GBB Member Profile and publishing your sustainability commitment on your website
4
Choose bio-based, reused, recycled, recyclable, or FSC certified boxes and bags for business shipping needs
4
Reuse, sell, or donate used or unneeded furniture, equipment, and office supplies
4
Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible
4
Add shades/window covering throughout your home to reduce heat gain
4
Change your home HVAC or A/C filters every 90 days-6 months maximum as is recommended by your filter thickness and type
4
Plant native, region-friendly plants in your home garden to minimize the impact on the local habitat and limit the amount of irrigation water needed
4
Designate your office as a smoke-free working environment with outside smoking areas 25 feet away from building entry areas and common walkways
2
Use ceiling fans in place of air conditioning when possible
2
Assist at least one other business in learning about sustainability, social responsibility, and green business efforts and encourage them to join the GBB
2
Use ceiling fans and windows in place of air conditioning
2
Organize sustainability committee or green team to serve as your company’s leading advocates for greening efforts
1
Complete GBB’s Getting Started steps, including filling out your company’s Member Profile and the GBB Assessment
1
Develop a sustainability mission statement for your business and define your company’s core commitments
1
Populate your company’s green accomplishments in your EcoProfile
1
Announce your GBB Membership to all employees. Share the company green mission and commitment to become greener.
1
Use natural odor elimination
1
Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning
1