Etsy shop specializing in turning recycled bottles into custom centerpieces, tiki-torches, soy candles, planters, lamps and lighting to help prevent the growth of the pacific trash vortex.
Current Sustainable Practices
Below are the initiatives Nerd Babes Co. 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 board in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
- 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).
- Create an annual green employee award to highlight employee sustainability efforts.
- Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
- Host an environmental event at your location.
- Participate in a present or attend sustainability workshop.
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.
- 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 or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
- Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
- Insulate roof to control energy loss.
- Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
- Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
- 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.
- Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.
- Create a landfill diversion goal.
- Replace at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
- Develop or participate in an existing composting program.
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.
- 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.
- Harvest rainwater through rain barrel system.
- Perform a stormwater pollution survey on your property with BGGS staff or other qualifies professional.
- 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.
- Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
- Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
- Remove all invasive species from property.
- Establish environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
- 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.
- Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel efficient vehicles.
- Establish a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Transportation Efficiency
- Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
- Hold an employee seminar highlighting alternative modes of transportation.
- Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
- Install weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
- Participate in a bike to work challenge.
- Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.
- Provide employee shower and dressing room facility.
Innovation
- Implement zero waste to landfill.
Member since 2022