platinum
979
GBB points earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
To reduce scope 3 emissions, become a completely remote company, requiring no office space or regular transportation to/from work
75
Install or lease from a building with a heat recovery system that converts waste heat to energy
60
Offer employee incentive programs for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles
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
Have a composting program for your business/home food waste
30
Install faucets with controls that turn off automatically (motion sensors)
25
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
Use an energy management system to control lighting, kitchen exhaust, refrigeration and HVAC.
24
Install food temperature monitors in your refrigeration units to reduce compressor load and energy usage.
24
Use washable electrostatic furnace and air conditioning filters to reduce waste and improve indoor air quality
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
Reduce the use of cardboard by minimizing it in your packaging and only using vendors that do the same in the supplies that they deliver to you.
18
Purchase and serve at least 75% local, organic, and fair trade food and drink
16
Use at least 25% certified organic, fair trade, sustainably harvested, locally grown or other responsibly sourced food products and beverages.
16
Ensure at least 50% of seafood offered is sustainable seafood.
16
Compost all organics including food and yard discards, soiled paper products, and compostable food containers.
16
Keep at least 50% of discarded materials out of the garbage/landfills.
16
Use an energy efficient and water conserving dishwasher from ENERGY STAR
16
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators and freezers.
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
Purchase offsets for the travel emissions and in-person work days that can’t be reduced
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
Reserve at least one day a year when your company volunteers for local environmental or community projects (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Earth Day, Save a Tree)
12
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to reduce business scope 2 emissions
12
Setup a self-recycling and composting station if you do not offer table service.
12
Use bio-based plastic bags that are fully compostable or light-biodegradable.
12
Eliminate all styrofoam.
12
Install and use an Energy Star rated ice machine.
12
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to off-set any scope 2 emissions related to your business’ energy consumption
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
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
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers and encourage use by creating incentives
8
Install plastic strip curtains on walk-in refrigerator/freezer doors.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Use a green web hosting service for your business’ website. Green web hosts are typically available at the same price and are completely carbon neutral
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
Recycle frying oil – give it or sell it to local biodiesel makers.
4
Brew coffee with reusable filters.
4
Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows
3
Use papers bags made from 40% postconsumer material instead of plastic bags.
3
Use refillable condiment bottles and other item containers, and refill with items purchased in bulk, instead of portion-controlled packets.
3
Minimize product packaging from your vendors.
3
Use cloth instead of paper napkins and table covers.
3
Develop written policies to monitor continuous flow fixtures to conserve water.
3
Arrange for a single delivery of several items from your vendors.
3
Use only compostable to-go food containers.
2
Offer an incentive to customers who bring their own coffee mugs, to-go dishes, or bags.
2
Use open door buzzers on walk-in refrigerator/freezer doors
2
Install a grease trap and make sure all grease producing fixtures flow through the grease trap.
2
Stock the kitchen with unbleached wax paper and parchment paper.
2
Install low-flow spray valves in dishwashing area.
2
For chef coats and other uniforms, choose responsible fabrics.
2
Use non-toxic candle alternatives to light guest tables.
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
Develop a written policy that dishwashers should only be used when fully loaded.
1
Ensure that garbage, recycling and compost containers are covered and kept away from storm drains.
1
Use recycled content paper for guest checks and receipts.
1
Use sweeping and mopping instead of hosing kitchen floors.
1