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

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

Implement a comprehensive recycling program including education, proper sinage, and monitoring

Provide transit passes or funds to employees as part of the benefits package to encourage public transportation usage

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

Provide a benefits package that meets the needs of employees, and is well-defined, accessible and transparent to all workers

Provide a living wage for all employees, at all levels of the organization including both full time and part time workers

Properly recycle all household waste according to your local regulations

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

Arrange the workspace to take advantage of areas with natural sunlight

Purchase or lease used or recycled office equipment and furniture

Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified or similarly highly efficient appliances

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

Adhere to labor, child labor, forced labor, and reasonable working hour laws and practices

When working from an alternative location (not home office) walk or bike

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

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

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

Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs

Establish a paperless billing program for your customers

Conduct multiple quality checks on your products and/or services before distributing to consumers to ensure highest possible quality

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

Give opportunity for all employees to provide feedback of any kind and feel secure and empowered to do so

Stop using all single-use plastic kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, and cups

Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping

Locate home office in room with ample windows to take advantage of daylighting

Place a company employee on the organizing committee for a sustainability event

Recycle or sell your used toner cartridges

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

Use air-filtering plants throughout the office

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

Reuse, sell, or donate used or unneeded furniture, equipment, and office supplies

Use virtual meeting platforms to replace travel when possible

Communicate your social responsibility initiatives with customers and other stakeholders in a way that clearly defines your company values, policies, objectives and actual performance

Add shades/window covering to reduce heat gain

Provide regular formal review, linked to a comprehensive development plan, with clear and constructive feedback to all employees

Use smart power strips throughout your house in areas of high plug loads

Stop purchasing single-use plastic waterbottles. Install a water filter if necessary

Use a shared or centralized printer

Establish a clear governance and decision-making structure, including the composition of the board of directors, board committees, executives, and shareholders

Create and implement a policy for protecting sensitive information

Conduct regular cyber/data security checks

Include a specific commitment to a positive social and environmental impact in your corporate mission statement

Create and implement an employee code of conduct

Create and enforce a policy for preventing and addressing discrimination and harassment

Designate an employee as community engagement leader or create a community engagement team

Assess your current vendors’ procurement practices

Use ceiling fans in place of air conditioning when possible

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

Donate used clothing and furniture

Communicate pricing and services transparently, authentically, and consistently to all customers

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