Sustainability Practices

Products, Services, and Purchasing

Uses Locally-produced Materials

The business uses locally-produced materials when possible, if it manufactures or produces goods (excluding food).

A. Yes

25% of Supplies from Local Suppliers

The business chooses to purchase at least 25% of its operating supplies from locally-owned suppliers.

A. Yes

30% Post-Consumer Recycled Material Paper Products

The business buys paper products (e.g., printing paper, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) made with at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.

A. Yes

Supports Fair-trade Items

The business supports fair-trade items.

A. Yes

25% of Products from Local Markets

The business sells products of which at least 25% are made in local markets (defined as within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a 150-mile radius from the business).

A. Yes

Business Operations and Practices

Local Bank Account

The business has chosen an independent, small community bank or credit union to maintain at least one of its business-related checking or savings accounts.

A. Yes

Sponsors Community/School Events

The business sponsors community or school events.

A. Yes

Encourages Employee Community Service

The business encourages its employees to engage in community service, or has designated "volunteer days" or activities for employees (may include business owner).

A. Yes

Prohibits Discrimination

The business prohibits discrimination in both hiring and customer service, and values inclusion and diversity.

A. Yes

Interviews Wide Range of Candidates

The business ensures that a wide range of candidates are interviewed for job openings.

A. Yes

Pays Living Wages

The business pays living wages to all of its employees.

A. Yes

Minority, LGBT, or Woman-owned Business

The business is a minority, LGBTQ+, or woman-owned business.

A. Yes

Guards Against Corruption

The business has policies or code of ethics that guard against corruption.

A. Yes

Up-to-date Housekeeping Items

The business is up-to-date with its bookkeeping and accounting, cash flow, workplace health and safety, licenses and permits, and insurance policies.

A. Yes

Laws and Regulations Compliance

The business is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations (e.g., taxes, health code, etc.).

A. Yes

Marketing Plan

The business has a marketing plan.

A. Yes

Stategic Business Plan

The business has a strategic, future-oriented business plan in place.

A. Yes

Sustainable Practices Training

The business includes sustainable practices in the training of new and existing employees.

A. Yes

Employee Health Encouragement

The business encourages its employees to exercise or stay healthy and fit.

A. Yes

Occupancy

Eliminated Harmful Chemicals for Pest Control

The business has eliminated the use of harmful chemicals for pest control, both inside and outside its building.

A. Yes

Former Blighted/Abandoned Property

The business occupies a formerly blighted/abandoned property, putting it back into productive use.

A. Yes

Water Conservation and Management

Dual Flush Toilets

The business uses dual flush toilets or has converted a standard toilet to dual-flush.

A. Yes

Water Use Reduction Policy

The business has a water use reduction policy and has informed its employees about proper water conservation techniques (e.g., not leaving the faucet running when water is not being used, ensuring that faucets are completely off and not dripping, etc.).

A. Yes

Stormwater Awareness

The business is aware of what happens to the stormwater leaving its property.

A. Yes

Outdoor Watering Timeline

The business waters its outdoor plants/grass before 10 am or after 6 pm.

A. Yes

Eliminated Unnatural Chemicals on Green Spaces

The business has eliminated the use of any unnatural chemicals on its green spaces or outdoor plants.

A. Yes

Transportation

Employees Use Public/Alternative Transport

The business has employees who use public transit or hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles to commute to and from work.

A. Yes

Bike Rack

The business has a bike rack outside its building for customer and employee use, or covered/indoor bike storage space.

A. Yes

Waste Management

"Hard-to-recycle" Items

The business recycles larger "hard-to-recycle" items that are able to be recycled (e.g., refrigerators, furniture, etc.).

A. Yes

Eliminated Plastic Bag Use

The business has eliminated the use of plastic bags for customer transactions.

A. Yes

Energy Conservation and Management

Energy Use Tracking

The Business is aware of how much energy it uses and tracks its monthly progress on energy savings.

A. Yes

Sets Water Heater to 120°F

The business sets its water heater(s) to 120°F, if its water heater uses a tank.

A. Yes

Energy Audit/Assessment

The business has undergone an energy audit or assessment in the past five years

B. Yes, we have conducted our own energy audit/assessment

Assessed Renewable Energy Installation

or has assessed opportunities to install solar panels, wind turbines, or some other mechanism for harnessing renewable energy (if answered NO to above).

A. Yes

Computer Power Settings

The business has adjusted the power settings on its computers to save energy.

A. Yes

ENERGY STAR Product

The business uses at least one ENERGY STAR approved product, such as an HVAC unit, refrigerator, dishwasher, or computer (look for a blue ENERGY STAR logo on the product.)

A. Yes

Natural Cooling

The business uses natural cooling (e.g., opening windows and doors) in place of air conditioning, when feasible.

A. Yes

Programmable Thermostat

The business uses a programmable thermostat and sets it lower in the winter and higher in the summer.

A. Yes

HVAC System Cleaning

The business replaces filters and or cleans its HVAC system.

A. Yes

Weatherization

The business has sealed leaks around doors, windows, outlets, corners, and other joints ("weatherization").

A. Yes

Energy-efficient Windows

The business uses multi-pane and/or energy-efficient windows.

A. Yes

Building/Pipe Insulation

The business has insulated its pipes and ducts, ceilings, and walls.

A. Yes

Incandescent Light Replacement

The business has replaced its incandescent light bulbs (as they have burned out) with CFLs or LEDs.

A. Yes