Sustainability Practices

Energy Conservation and Management

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

Energy Use Tracking

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

A. Yes

On-demand/Solar Water Heater

or uses an on-demand or solar hot water heater (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

Phantom Load

The business unplugs little-used appliances, electronic equipment, and lighting fixtures to avoid “phantom load.”

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

Fluorescent Light Replacement

The business has replaced its fluorescent light bulbs or tubes (as they have burned out) with low-mercury fluorescent light bulbs or tubes.

A. Yes

Task/Zone Lighting

The business uses task lighting and/or zone lighting instead of entire-room overhead lighting.

A. Yes

Incandescent Light Replacement

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

A. Yes

T12 Fluorescent Light Replacement

The business has replaced its T12 fluorescent light tubes (as they have burned out) with T8 (or lower) tubes.

A. Yes

LED Exit Signs

The business has replaced existing exit signs with LED models or has retrofitted an existing exit sign with LEDs.

A. Yes

Solar Lights/Outdoor Timers

The business uses solar lights or timers for outdoor lighting.

A. Yes

Water Conservation and Management

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

Tracks Water Usage

The business is aware of its water use and tracks its monthly progress on water usage.

A. Yes

Dual Flush Toilets

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

A. Yes

Business Operations and Practices

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

Customer Service Policy

The business has a written customer service policy/philosophy and follows it (such as a return or refund policy).

A. Yes

Stategic Business Plan

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

A. Yes

Sustainability Initiative Staff

The business has a designated staff member or team responsible for the oversight and implementation of sustainability initiatives (may include business owner).

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

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

Owner Participates as Local Leader

The business owner participates in/is a member of a community-oriented committee, board or local business association.

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

Health Benefits to Full-time Employees

The business offers health benefits to its full-time employees, if it has more than two employees.

A. Yes

Waste Management

Donates Usable Items

The business donates usable items, such as furniture, shelving, etc. to organizations such as Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Construction Junction, Goodwill, or others.

A. Yes

Eliminated Plastic Bag Use

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

A. Yes

Print Preview

The business uses "print preview" on their word processor to reduce wasteful printing.

A. Yes

Waste Tracking

The business is aware of the amount of waste it produces and disposes of and tracks its progress on waste reduction.

A. Yes

Waste Reduction/Recycling Policy

The business has a waste reduction and recycling policy and has informed its employees about waste reduction and proper recycling practices.

A. Yes

Products, Services, and Purchasing

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

Uses Locally-produced Materials

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

A. Yes

Supports Fair-trade Items

The business supports fair-trade items.

A. Yes

Innovation

Innovation Bonus 1

Tell us about a sustainable initiative not listed in the questionnaire. List sustainable practice:

A. Yes

CO2 recycling. Not very applicable to many, but we utilize a lot in our manufacturing and utilize natural or recycled CO2 when possible.

Transportation

Employees Ride Share

The business has employees who share car or van rides to commute to and from work.

A. Yes

Owner Lives Within 5 Miles

The business is owned by a proprietor who lives within 5 miles of his or her business.

A. Yes

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

Employees Bike or Walk

The business has employees who bike or walk to and from work.

A. Yes