gold
573
GBB points earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
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
Implement a comprehensive recycling program including education, proper sinage, and monitoring
27
Optimize your on-premise servers and business systems by ensuring the hardware is up-to-date and energy efficient
24
Use washable electrostatic furnace and air conditioning filters to reduce waste and improve indoor air quality
20
Plant native, regionally-friendly plants to minimize water use and impact on local habitat
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
Install light switch occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present
18
Provide a benefits package that meets the needs of employees, and is well-defined, accessible and transparent to all workers
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 a programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC or A/C system
16
Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight; design future spaces with natural lighting opportunities in mind
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
Optimize the color of your outside walls and the roof for your climate
12
Construct a vegetable garden on roof, facility grounds, or a communtiy garden in close proximity to the office
12
Use sensors on vending machines and place machines in shaded areas.
12
Provide equitable opportunities to ensure women have equal access to employment, leadership roles, and pay.
12
Provide fair and appropriate breaks for workers based on hours worked and enforce a strict policy that they must take them
12
Institute a policy for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities to employees
12
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Resell your used corrugated cardboard boxes.
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
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
Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs that last longer and save energy
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
Use concentrated cleaning products
8
Have accessible green space somewhere onsite or in close proximity to grounds including a garden, walking trail, or courtyard
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
Apply window film to reduce excess solar heat in the building
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
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
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 a green web hosting service for your business’ website
4
Reuse, sell, or donate used or unneeded furniture, equipment, and office supplies
4
Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible
4
Donate old and unused merchandise to a local charity.
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
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
Commit to inviting, receiving and acting upon customer and community feedback in a welcoming and constructive way at all times.
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
Use an environmentally friendly display board instead of foam core board to post memos, schedules and other notices in a centralized area.
1
Keep a spill kit handy to catch/collect spills from hazardous materials. Make sure there is adequate absorbent material to contain the largest possible spill.
1