platinum
1,048
Points Earned
Completed Initiatives
Initiative Description
Points
Become a completely remote company, requiring no office space or regular transportation to/from work
75
Rent or purchase a building that is close to public transportation stops and bike paths
36
Compost your home food waste
36
Have a composting program for your business food waste
30
Implement a comprehensive recycling program including education, proper sinage, and monitoring
27
Use an energy management system to control lighting, kitchen exhaust, refrigeration and HVAC
24
Install food temperature monitors in your refrigeration units to reduce compressor load and energy usage
24
Create an executive leadership team with women, minorities, and people from underrepresented communities in top leadership roles
24
Implement home performance and efficiency improvements based upon your home energy assessment
20
Buy home office electronics that are energy efficient, ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, ROHS, etc.
20
Use a hybrid personal vehicle
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
Reduce the use of cardboard by minimizing it in your packaging and only using vendors that do the same in the supplies that they deliver to you
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
Provide a living wage for all employees, at all levels of the organization including both full time and part time workers
18
Carve out a “no meetings” day during the work week
18
Properly recycle all household waste according to your local regulations
18
Use at least 25% certified organic, fair trade, sustainably harvested, locally grown or other responsibly sourced food products and beverages
16
Ensure at least 50% of seafood offered is sustainable seafood
16
Compost all organics including food and yard discards, soiled paper products, and compostable food containers
16
Keep at least 50% of discarded materials out of the garbage/landfills
16
Use an ENERGY STAR or similarly qualified energy efficient and water conserving dishwasher
16
Purchase ENERGY STAR or similarly qualified refrigerators, freezers, and food display cases
16
Install a programmable thermostat to automate your home HVAC or A/C system
16
Switch to low-pressure and highly efficient showerheads and faucets
15
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 or lease used or recycled office equipment and furniture
12
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified or similarly highly efficient appliances
12
Setup a self-recycling and composting station if you do not offer table service
12
Use bio-based plastic bags that are fully compostable or light-biodegradable
12
Eliminate all styrofoam
12
Install and use an Energy Star rated ice machine
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
Grow an at-home or community food garden
12
Purchase produce in-season from local farmer’s markets or co-ops
12
Properly dispose of all hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Install high-speed air hand dryers in restrooms
9
Properly dispose of all household hazardous waste materials including batteries, paint and chemicals, lightbulbs, aerosol cans, and electronics
9
Install a filtered water tap or water bottle refill station that provide high-quality drinking water
8
Encourage employee carpools
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
Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs
8
Establish a paperless billing program for your customers
8
Have your dishwashing machine inspected for water leaks and have it calibrated by a service technician for optimum settings
8
Have accessible green space somewhere onsite or in close proximity to grounds
8
Regularly evaluate employee satisfaction through interviews, surveys, or calculation of employee net promoter score
8
Choose paperless billing with vendors, business partners, and suppliers when possible
6
Only serve water upon request
6
Give opportunity for all employees to provide feedback of any kind and feel secure and empowered to do so
6
Replace all traditional bulbs with LED bulbs throughout your home work space
6
Use eco-friendly, bio-based, non-toxic home cleaning products
6
Use reusable cleaning products such as sponges or towels instead of paper towels throughout your home
6
Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping
6
Create a company-wide challenge to eat the least amount of takeout for a month
6
Use natural light throughout 75% of the day instead of overhead lights
5
Locate home office in room with ample windows to take advantage of daylighting
5
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
Reduce junk mail by removing your organization’s name from national direct marketing databases
4
Use air-filtering plants throughout the office
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 virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible
4
Recycle frying oil – give it or sell it to local biodiesel makers
4
Communicate your social responsibility initiatives with customers and other stakeholders in a way that clearly defines your company values, policies, objectives and actual performance
4
Require all business leaders to be trained in, maintain current knowledge of, and commit to complying with the company’s environmental, social and employee wellbeing policies and practices
4
Add shades/window covering throughout your home to reduce heat gain
4
Reduce vampire loads by unplugging non-essential electrical appliances when not in use
4
Use smart power strips throughout your house in areas of high plug loads
4
Opt out of receiving home junk mail
4
Stop purchasing single-use plastic waterbottles. Install a water filter if necessary
4
Minimize air conditioning usage through natural ventilation by opening windows
3
Use papers bags made from 40% postconsumer material instead of plastic bags
3
Use refillable condiment bottles and other item containers, and refill with items purchased in bulk, instead of portion-controlled packets
3
Minimize product packaging from your vendors
3
Use cloth instead of paper napkins and table covers
3
Develop written policies to monitor continuous flow fixtures to conserve water
3
Arrange for a single delivery of several items from your vendors
3
Assign a person to monitor your water and energy bills for sudden rises in consumption
3
Use ceiling fans in place of air conditioning when possible
2
Reduce “vampire loads” by unplugging appliances when not in use
2
Use only compostable to-go food containers
2
Centralize employee schedules and other announcements in a single location instead of printing paper copies
2
Post daily specials on a chalkboard or dry-erase board, rather than printing daily specials on new sheets of paper every day
2
Set your refrigerator temperature between 37 and 40 degrees Farenheit and your freezer at about 5 degrees Fahrenheit
2
Install a grease trap and make sure all grease producing fixtures flow through the grease trap
2
Stock the kitchen with unbleached wax paper and parchment paper
2
Install low-flow spray valves in dishwashing area
2
For chef coats and other uniforms, choose responsible fabrics
2
Use non-toxic candle alternatives to light guest tables
2
Use ceiling fans and windows in place of air conditioning
2
Donate used clothing and furniture
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
Develop a written policy that dishwashers should only be used when fully loaded.
1
Ensure that garbage, recycling and compost containers are covered and kept away from storm drains
1
Use recycled content paper for guest checks and receipts
1
Use sweeping and mopping instead of hosing kitchen floors
1
Eliminate the use of disposable batteries throughout your home and switch entirely to rechargeable
1