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

Limit impermeable surfaces such as parking lot blacktop and concrete sidewalks or install a rain garden

Replace water-intensive grass with regionally native, climate resilient ground coverings

Have a composting program for your business food waste

Install faucets with controls that turn off automatically (motion sensors)

Use energy saving clothes washers

Create an executive leadership team with women, minorities, and people from underrepresented communities in top leadership roles

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

Develop a comprehensive water use and conservation plan with measurable goals to optimize water usage

Meet if not exceed Federal and State regulations for your industry

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

Set up a composting program

Supply extra blankets to guests in the winter so the temperature can be turned down at night

Use dryers with moisture sensors

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.

Create a detailed risk management plan for projects and programs

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

Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight

Ensure all windows are double pane, low-E, and energy efficient

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)

Use ceiling fans to reduce A/C load

Use a carbon calculator tool to measure your current carbon footprint. Reassess quarterly as you meet energy use goals

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

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

Pay top executives no more than the minimum compensation necessary to ensure productive and effective performance

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

Install a filtered water tap or water bottle refill station that provide high-quality drinking water

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

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

Establish a paperless billing program for your customers

Have accessible green space somewhere onsite or in close proximity to grounds

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

Eliminate unnecessary paper usage as much as possible including forms, contracts, meeting agendas and materials, proofs, and drafts

Administer company-wide employee training on sustainability efforts both at work and at home

Replace wire/plastic hangers with permanent, closed-loop hangers

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

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

Reduce junk mail by removing your organization’s name from national direct marketing databases

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

Print and copy double-sided only

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

Use a sustainable web hosting service

Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible

Institute an optional towel and linen reuse policy for guests

Institute and maintain a written policy to that ensures the lint filters are cleaned after every drying load.

Create and implement an employee code of conduct

Regularly disclose business practices, operations, and financial statements to shareholders and stakeholders

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

Use ceiling fans in place of air conditioning when possible

Reduce “vampire loads” by unplugging appliances when not in use

Assist at least one other business in learning about sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental business efforts and encourage them to join GBB

Commit to inviting, receiving and acting upon customer and community feedback in a welcoming and constructive way at all times.

Implement a conflict of interest policy for your board of directors and senior management

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

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