FoodChain

Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives FoodChain has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• Develop a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
• Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
• Hold quarterly Green Team meetings.
• Provide time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in upper management meetings.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Provide a sustainability information in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Offer trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
• Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials.
• Highlight sustainability efforts or initiatives at career fairs or career days.
• Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Host an environmental event for public or employees.
• Attend a sustainability workshop, tour or event.

Energy Efficiency

• Establish 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 or install an inline water heater.
• Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights (76-100% replacement).
• Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Install occupancy sensors in bathrooms, meeting room, and other infrequently used areas.
• Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
• Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implement a basic recycling program.
• Provide clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins must be paired with a waste bin.
• Train and require janitorial service or staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
• Use reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• 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.
• Create a landfill diversion goal.

Water Conservation

• Establish a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense) rated fixtures and appliances.
• Install water efficient faucets in all of the restrooms.
• Install water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.

Water Quality

• Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
• Establish a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
• Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
• Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

• Participate in a community reforestation project.
• Install planter boxes or other permeable surface.
• Plant a pollinator garden.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.
• Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
• Establish a policy for purchasing locally, if available.

Transportation Efficiency

• Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
• Install a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of your employees.
• Install weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
• Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.

Innovation

• Become SustainabLEX certified.
• Building is example of adaptive reuse.
• Located in food desert.
• Reuses materials whenever possible, such as milk crates and boxes.
• Aquaponics operation is naturally sustainable and efficient.
• Youth employment program.
• Youth programming, including cooking classes and garden education.
• Donates food scraps to farmers + feed to chickens, rabbits and pigs.
• Rescues food from Trader Joe’s for use in meal preparation.