25-50% of your power supply is from on-site renewable energy solutions (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.)

Use high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, like high efficiency toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs)

Upgrade from older fluorescent T12, T8 and T5 lamps to LED alternatives

Use a tankless or otherwise highly efficient hot water heater

Rent or purchase a building that is close to public transportation stops and bike paths

Implement a sustainability process and standard for all meetings, conferences, and events

Optimize your on-premise servers and business systems by ensuring the hardware is up-to-date and energy efficient

Plant native, regionally-friendly plants to minimize water use and impact on local habitat

After completing the energy audit/assessment, develop a comprehensive energy use and conservation plan

Eliminate all single-use paper, styrofoam or plastic cups, plates, and utensils in the kitchen area. Use reusable mugs, dishes, and silverware instead

Schedule regular maintenance on company vehicles to ensure each vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible to reduce emissions

Perform a yearly assessment of all suppliers/vendors’ environmental and social practices in comparison to your company’s commitments

Install light switch occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present

Install a programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC or A/C system

Purchase all office paper products made from 50-100% recycled materials

Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight

Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified or similarly highly efficient appliances

Provide equitable opportunities to ensure women have equal access to employment, leadership roles, and pay

Provide fair and appropriate breaks for workers based on hours worked and enforce a strict policy that they must take them

Institute a policy for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities to employees

Create and implement a human health and safety policy

Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics

Conduct a comprehensive water usage assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of water usage and waste

Install water flow rate controls (aerators) on faucets

Conduct an energy assessment/audit to pinpoint specific areas of energy use and waste

Ensure all windows and doors are properly installed, functioning, maintained, and weather-stripped, etc.

Significantly limit the amount of physical marketing materials you produce

Complete a consumption and waste audit to help identify and quantify the items your business acquires, uses, and discards

Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, bio-based cleaning products

Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs

Ensure there are no harmful VOCs or chemical fumes in building furnishings, coverings, and walls including paint, curtains/blinds, carpet, flooring, and furniture

Undergo regular and complete check-ups and maintenance of your HVAC or A/C system

Establish a paperless billing program for your customers

Choose paperless billing with vendors, business partners, and suppliers when possible

Become an active member, either by serving on the board, donating or volunteering time for an organization that continually works to improve the environment

Recycle or sell your used toner cartridges

Develop a paper reduction policy that clearly defines when and how items should be printed

Change your HVAC or A/C filters every six months or more frequently as is recommended by filter type

Eliminate the use of disposable batteries and switch entirely to rechargeable

Use reusable cleaning products such as towels and sponges, eliminating paper towels

Use air-filtering plants throughout the office

Use a sustainable web hosting service

Choose bio-based, reused, recycled, recyclable, or FSC certified boxes and bags for shipping

Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible

Create and implement an employee code of conduct

Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows

Designate your office as a smoke-free working environment with outside smoking areas 25 feet away from building entry areas and common walkways

Organize a sustainability committee to lead your organization’s sustainability program

Complete the GBB getting started steps

Develop a sustainability mission statement for your business and define your company’s core commitments

Populate your company’s sustainability accomplishments in your profile

Announce your commitment to GBB to all employees

Use natural odor elimination

Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning