Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives Klausing Group has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and Green Team 

• Includes sustainability tips in monthly newsletter.
• Hosts annual trainings to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies, and procedures.
• Developed a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan that includes goals in these categories; Sustainability Goals Roles & Responsibilities, Policies & Procedures, Activities & Impact, and Timelines.
• Designated a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Includes sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
• Provides a sustainability information board in a common area.
• Includes a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Hosts annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
• Highlights sustainability efforts or initiatives at career fairs or career days.
• Promotes sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials. Specifically social media and blog.
• Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Has hosted an environmental event at the Klausing Group offices.
• Sponsored an environmental booth at an existing community event.
• Participates in a regional sustainability workshops.

Energy Efficiency

• Installed energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• Established a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees.
• Delamped vending machine.
• Established a regular filter maintenance policy for the HVAC system.
• Achieve a year-over reduction in energy usage from the baseline of
  at least 5%.
• Established a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
• Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
• Install power strips for computers and equipment to power down
  during non-business hours.
• Installed programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Insulate roof to control energy loss.
• Install efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
• Perform external lighting audit.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Conducted a waste audit.
• Trains and requires staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
• Replaced at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
• Participates in a composting program.
• Implemented a basic recycling program.
• Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas.
• Uses reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• Has created a landfill diversion goal.
• Establish a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two-
  sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
• Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from
  landfill.

Water Conservation

• Conduct a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record
  water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips
  and leaks.
• Establish a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense)
  rated fixtures and appliances.
• Install water efficient faucets in all of the restrooms.

Water Quality

• Harvests rainwater through rain barrel system.
• Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
• Established a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Established a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
• Performed a storm water pollution survey.
• Establish preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on your property.
• Posted information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
• Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.
• Installed outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.
• Before washing parking lots, sweeps debris/litter and does not use cleaners.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

• Established environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer.
• Adopted a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
• Established a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
• Participates in a community reforestation projects.
• Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
• Established a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
• Removed all invasive species from property.
• Established an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
• Planted a pollinator garden.
• Planted a rain garden.
• Audits irrigation system for leaks.
• Adjusts irrigation system to water during cool periods and wet weather.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Established a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in the workplace.
• Established a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
• Established a policy for purchasing locally, if available.
• Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel-
  efficient vehicles when available.
• Established a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation

• Implemented a no-idling policy.
• Adopted a telecommuting option for employees.
• Designate parking spaces for hybrid vehicles and/or install EV
  charging stations.
• Installed a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of employees.
• Installed weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
• Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.

Innovation

• Installed a green/living roof.
• Installed a 300-gallon+ water catchment system.
• Installed a permeable parking lot.