gold
636
Points Earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
25-50% of your power supply is from on-site renewable energy solutions (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.)
60
Use high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, like high efficiency toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs)
48
Upgrade from older fluorescent T12, T8 and T5 lamps to LED alternatives
36
Use a tankless or otherwise highly efficient hot water heater
36
Rent or purchase a building that is close to public transportation stops and bike paths
36
Implement a sustainability process and standard for all meetings, conferences, and events
25
Optimize your on-premise servers and business systems by ensuring the hardware is up-to-date and energy efficient
24
Plant native, regionally-friendly plants to minimize water use and impact on local habitat
20
After completing the energy audit/assessment, develop a comprehensive energy use and conservation plan
20
Eliminate all single-use paper, styrofoam or plastic cups, plates, and utensils in the kitchen area. Use reusable mugs, dishes, and silverware instead
18
Schedule regular maintenance on company vehicles to ensure each vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible to reduce emissions
18
Perform a yearly assessment of all suppliers/vendors’ environmental and social practices in comparison to your company’s commitments
18
Install light switch occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present
18
Install a programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC or A/C system
16
Purchase all office paper products made from 50-100% recycled materials
12
Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight
12
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified or similarly highly efficient appliances
12
Provide equitable opportunities to ensure women have equal access to employment, leadership roles, and pay
12
Provide fair and appropriate breaks for workers based on hours worked and enforce a strict policy that they must take them
12
Institute a policy for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities to employees
12
Create and implement a human health and safety policy
12
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Conduct a comprehensive water usage assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of water usage and waste
8
Install water flow rate controls (aerators) on faucets
8
Conduct an energy assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of energy use and waste
8
Ensure all windows and doors are properly installed, functioning, maintained, and weather-stripped, etc.
8
Significantly limit the amount of physical marketing materials you produce
8
Complete a consumption and waste audit to help identify and quantify the items your business acquires, uses, and discards
8
Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, bio-based cleaning products
8
Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs
8
Ensure there are no harmful VOCs or chemical fumes in building furnishings, coverings, and walls including paint, curtains/blinds, carpet, flooring, and furniture
8
Undergo regular and complete check-ups and maintenance of your HVAC or A/C system
8
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers
8
Choose paperless billing with vendors, business partners, and suppliers when possible
6
Become an active member, either by serving on the board, donating or volunteering time for an organization that continually works to improve the environment
4
Recycle or sell your used toner cartridges
4
Develop a paper reduction policy that clearly defines when and how items should be printed
4
Change your HVAC or A/C filters every six months or more frequently as is recommended by filter type
4
Eliminate the use of disposable batteries and switch entirely to rechargeable
4
Use reusable cleaning products such as towels and sponges, eliminating paper towels
4
Use air-filtering plants throughout the office
4
Use a sustainable web hosting service
4
Choose bio-based, reused, recycled, recyclable, or FSC certified boxes and bags for shipping
4
Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible
4
Create and implement an employee code of conduct
4
Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows
3
Designate your office as a smoke-free working environment with outside smoking areas 25 feet away from building entry areas and common walkways
2
Organize a sustainability committee to lead your organization’s sustainability program
1
Complete the GBB getting started steps
1
Develop a sustainability mission statement for your business and define your company’s core commitments
1
Populate your company’s sustainability accomplishments in your profile
1
Announce your commitment to GBB to all employees
1
Use natural odor elimination
1
Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning
1