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