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Current Sustainable Practices

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• Develop a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan that includes goals in these categories: Sustainability Goals, Roles and Responsibilities, Policies and Procedures, Activities and Impact, Timelines.
• 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

• Include sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
• 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).
• Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Participate in a presentation or attend sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

• Assess, track, and document energy consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
• Establish a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights (76-100% replacement).
• Upgrade all Exit signs to LED.
• 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.
• Assess energy consumption by conducting a plug load inventory.
• 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).
• Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• 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.
• Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implement a basic recycling program.
• Conduct a waste audit (within the past two years).
• 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.
• Host, sponsor, or participate in a zero-waste event.

Water Conservation

• 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.
• Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
• Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.
• 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.
• Plant a rain 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 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.
• Hold an employee seminar highlighting alternative modes of transportation.
• 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.