platinum
826
GBB points earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
Use a tankless or otherwise highly efficient home hot water heater
40
Upgrade from older fluorescent T12, T8 and T5 lamps to LED alternatives
36
Compost your home food waste
36
Have a composting program for your business food waste
30
Implement a comprehensive recycling program including education, proper sinage, and monitoring
27
Implement a sustainability process and standard for all meetings, conferences, and events
25
Create a pathway program for local youths to intern and eventually become employed at your company
24
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
Implement home performance and efficiency improvements based upon your home energy assessment
20
Buy home office electronics that are energy efficient, ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, ROHS, etc.
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
Schedule regular maintenance on company vehicles to ensure each vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible to reduce emissions
18
Provide a benefits package that meets the needs of employees, and is well-defined, accessible and transparent to all workers
18
Provide a living wage for all employees, at all levels of the organization including both full time and part time workers.
18
Properly recycle all household waste according to your local regulations
18
Incorporate biophilic design by installing green walls in the office environment
16
Prioritize working with business partners, service providers, etc. that are women-led, minority-owned and local small businesses
16
Define, institute, and clearly communicate a policy to prioritize employee diversity, equity, and inclusion.
16
Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to automate your home HVAC or A/C system
16
Switch to low-pressure and highly efficient showerheads and faucets
15
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
Purchase or lease used or recycled office equipment and furniture
12
Philanthropically donate a percentage of your revenue or profits and/or company time to an environmental cause
12
Provide an annual public report or update on your company’s environmental and social responsibility efforts, initiatives, and improvements
12
Provide equitable opportunities to ensure women have equal access to employment, leadership roles, and pay.
12
Institute a policy for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities to employees
12
Use your personal, fossil-fueled vehicle less than 75 miles a week
12
Grow an at-home or community food garden
12
Purchase produce in-season from local farmer’s markets or co-ops
12
Lower the max temperature of your hot water heater from 140 to 120
10
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Properly dispose of all household hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
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
Become an annual sponsor, making a substantial contribution to a meaningful event promoting sustainability in your area
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
Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs that last longer and save energy
8
Regularly evaluate employee satisfaction through interviews, surveys, or calculation of employee net promoter score
8
Weatherize your home by ensuring all windows and doors in your home are properly installed, functioning, maintained, weather-stripped, etc.
8
Go completely paperless
8
Use concentrated home cleaning products
8
Use an eco-friendly home pest control service that minimizes the use of toxic pesticides that harm the environment and human health
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
Conduct exit interviews to gain insights on company culture and operations and make improvements based on feedback
6
Replace all traditional bulbs with LED bulbs throughout your home work space
6
Use eco-friendly, bio-based, non-toxic home cleaning products
6
Use reusable cleaning products such as sponges or towels instead of paper towels throughout your home
6
Stop using all single-use plastic kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, and cups
6
Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping
6
Purchase home paper towels and toilet paper made from 50-100% recycled materials
6
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
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
Designate carpool, hybrid, and EV parking spaces that are in preferred areas of your parking lot (e.g. closer to the building entrance or covered)
4
Reduce junk mail by removing your business’ name from national direct marketing databases
4
Use air-filtering plants throughout the office to improve indoor air quality and employee wellbeing
4
Print and copy double-sided when possible, to significantly reduce paper use and waste
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
Provide regular formal review, linked to a comprehensive development plan, with clear and constructive feedback to all employees using a well-defined, fair, and consistent process.
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
Opt out of receiving home junk mail
4
Stop purchasing single-use plastic waterbottles. Install a water filter if necessary
4
Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows
3
Use ceiling fans and windows in place of air conditioning
2
Donate used clothing and furniture
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
Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning
1