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