Black Soil: Our Better Nature

Current Sustainable Practices

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• 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 board in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Host annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures
• Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials (website, social media, newsletter, press releases, TV/radio ads).
• Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Host an environmental event at your location
• Participate in a presentation or attend sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

• Establish a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
• Establish 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.
• Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Install occupancy sensors in bathrooms, meeting room, and other infrequently used areas.
• Conduct an energy audit or assessment (within the last three years).
• Insulate roof to control energy loss.
• Install efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
• Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
• Perform external lighting audit.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

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.
• Replace at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.

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.
• Install water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.

Water Quality

• Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Establish a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
• Harvest rainwater through rain barrel system.
• Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items
• Install outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

• Participate in a community reforestation project.

Sustainable Purchasing

• 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.
• Establish a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency

• Establish an incentives or recognition program to encourage employees to use alternative transportation, such as carpooling, bicycling, or use of public transit.
• 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.