platinum
1,384
GBB points earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
100% of your power supply is from on-site renewable energy solutions (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) to reduce your business’s scope 2 emissions
120
Implement and share the results of your energy use and conservation plan quarterly, both within your organization and publicly
90
To reduce scope 3 emissions, become a completely remote company, requiring no office space or regular transportation to/from work
75
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 a tankless or otherwise highly efficient home hot water heater
40
Upgrade from older fluorescent T12, T8 and T5 lamps to LED alternatives
36
Purchase 25-49% of products and services from green-certified or Green Business Bureau vendors
36
Rent or purchase a building that is close to public transportation stops and bike paths
36
Use an alternative/natural refrigerant (non-HFC) with a global warming potential less than or equal to 10 for your home refrigerators, freezers, and HVAC systems
35
Have a composting program for your business/home food waste
30
Implement a green procurement policy
30
To reduce scope 3 emissions, 50-74% of your workdays are either remote or employees use public transportation, walking, or biking to get to work 50-74% of workdays
30
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
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
After concluding your water usage assessment, develop a comprehensive water use and conservation plan with measurable goals to optimize water usage
20
Implement home performance and efficiency improvements based upon your home energy assessment
20
At the bare minimum, purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances for all home office equipment
20
Buy home office electronics that are energy efficient, 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
Perform a yearly assessment of all suppliers/vendors’ environmental and social practices in comparison to your company’s commitments
18
Provide a product or service, as part of your company’s core strategy, that delivers a social or environmental benefit and/or focuses on an underserved part of the community.
18
Eliminate all physical marketing materials, rely only on digital methods
18
Carve out a “no meetings” day during the work week
18
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
Use chlorine-free and FSC-certified paper products
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
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to reduce business scope 2 emissions
12
Have a clearly defined policy that specifies how you will screen partners and vendors to ensure that their business operations are socially responsible and eco-friendly
12
Develop an office thermostat policy that maintains internal air temperature within the recommended temperature range, and eliminates A/C and heating usage when the building is not occupied
12
Institute a policy for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities to employees
12
All windows in your home are double pane, low-E, and energy efficient
12
Use washable home electrostatic furnace and air conditioning filters to reduce waste and improve indoor air quality
12
Purchase produce in-season from local farmer’s markets or co-ops
12
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
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
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers and encourage use by creating incentives
8
Use concentrated cleaning products
8
Buy electronics that are energy efficient, EPEAT, ROHS, etc.
8
Weatherize your home by ensuring all windows and doors in your home are properly installed, functioning, maintained, weather-stripped, etc.
8
Purchase home trash bin liners made from 100% bio-based or 50-100% recycled materials
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
Give opportunity for all employees to provide feedback of any kind and feel secure and empowered to do so
6
Replace all traditional bulbs with LED bulbs throughout your home work space
6
Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping
6
Administer company-wide employee training on sustainability efforts related to home offices and general life practices
6
Create a company-wide challenge to use the least single-use items for a month
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
Place a company employee on the organizing committee for the same or another event to achieve maximum involvement and exposure
4
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
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
Use reusable cleaning products such as towels and sponges, eliminating paper towels
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
Communicate your social responsibility initiatives with customers and other stakeholders in a way that clearly defines your company values, policies, objectives and actual performance
4
Add shades/window covering to reduce heat gain
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
Reduce vampire loads by unplugging non-essential electrical appliances when not in use
4
Use smart power strips throughout your house in areas of high plug loads
4
Use a shared or centralized printer
4
Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows
3
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
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
Use natural odor elimination
1
Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning
1
Eliminate the use of disposable batteries throughout your home and switch entirely to rechargeable
1