platinum
757
Points Earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
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
Limit impermeable surfaces such as parking lot blacktop and concrete sidewalks or install a rain garden
35
Replace water-intensive grass with regionally native, climate resilient ground coverings
32
Have a composting program for your business food waste
30
Install faucets with controls that turn off automatically (motion sensors)
25
Use energy saving clothes washers
24
Create an executive leadership team with women, minorities, and people from underrepresented communities in top leadership roles
24
Plant native, regionally-friendly plants to minimize water use and impact on local habitat
20
Develop a comprehensive water use and conservation plan with measurable goals to optimize water usage
20
Meet if not exceed Federal and State regulations for your industry
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
Set up a composting program
18
Supply extra blankets to guests in the winter so the temperature can be turned down at night
18
Use dryers with moisture sensors
18
Provide a product or service, as part of your company’s core strategy, that delivers a social or environmental benefit and/or focuses on an underserved part of the community.
18
Create a detailed risk management plan for projects and programs
18
Install a programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC or A/C system
16
Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight
12
Ensure all windows are double pane, low-E, and energy efficient
12
Reserve at least one day a year when your company volunteers for local environmental or community projects (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Earth Day, Save a Tree)
12
Use ceiling fans to reduce A/C load
12
Use a carbon calculator tool to measure your current carbon footprint. Reassess quarterly as you meet energy use goals
12
Develop an office thermostat policy that maintains internal air temperature within the recommended temperature range, and eliminates A/C and heating usage when the building is not occupied
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
Pay top executives no more than the minimum compensation necessary to ensure productive and effective performance
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
Install a filtered water tap or water bottle refill station that provide high-quality drinking water
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
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
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers
8
Have accessible green space somewhere onsite or in close proximity to grounds
8
Choose paperless billing with vendors, business partners, and suppliers when possible
6
Eliminate unnecessary paper usage as much as possible including forms, contracts, meeting agendas and materials, proofs, and drafts
6
Administer company-wide employee training on sustainability efforts both at work and at home
6
Replace wire/plastic hangers with permanent, closed-loop hangers
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
Change your HVAC or A/C filters every six months or more frequently as is recommended by filter type
4
Reduce junk mail by removing your organization’s name from national direct marketing databases
4
Use reusable cleaning products such as towels and sponges, eliminating paper towels
4
Print and copy double-sided only
4
Make your business’ sustainability efforts a central part of your message by filling out and linking to your GBB Public Profile and publishing your sustainability commitment on your website
4
Use a sustainable web hosting service
4
Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible
4
Institute an optional towel and linen reuse policy for guests
4
Institute and maintain a written policy to that ensures the lint filters are cleaned after every drying load.
4
Create and implement an employee code of conduct
4
Regularly disclose business practices, operations, and financial statements to shareholders and stakeholders
4
Designate your office as a smoke-free working environment with outside smoking areas 25 feet away from building entry areas and common walkways
2
Use ceiling fans in place of air conditioning when possible
2
Reduce “vampire loads” by unplugging appliances when not in use
2
Assist at least one other business in learning about sustainability, social responsibility, and green business efforts and encourage them to join GBB
2
Commit to inviting, receiving and acting upon customer and community feedback in a welcoming and constructive way at all times.
2
Implement a conflict of interest policy for your board of directors and senior management
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
Relax the office dress code to allow for attire that doesn’t require dry cleaning
1