Sustainability Practices

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

Assessed Energy Certificates/Credits/Carbon Offsets

or has assessed opportunities to purchase renewable energy certificates, carbon offsets, or clean energy credits (if answered NO to above).

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

Own Energy Audit/Assessment Implementation

and has begun to address the results from the audit/assessment (if answered YES to conduct own audit).

A. Yes

Weatherization

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

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

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

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

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

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

Low Use of VOCs

The business only uses or has only used paints, finishes, coatings, stains, primers, adhesives, and sealants that are low-emitting (i.e., low in volatile organic chemicals [VOCs]).

A. Yes

Transportation

Owner Lives Within 5 Miles

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

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

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

"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

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

Sells Used Items

The business sells used, antique or "upcycled" items, or specializes in repairing items, diverting them from landfill and putting them back into productive use.

A. Yes

Asks Customers About Bags

or asks customers if they would like a bag before bagging their items (if answered NO to above).

A. Yes

Products, Services, and Purchasing

25% of Supplies from Local Suppliers

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

A. Yes

Biodegradable/Environmentally-friendly Cleaning Supplies

The business uses biodegradable, environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies (if allowed by law for its industry/sector).

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

Paper Products Free of Bleach/Chlorine

The business buys paper products that are free of bleach and/or chlorine.

A. Yes

Supports Fair-trade Items

The business supports fair-trade items.

A. Yes

Sustainable/Environmentally-preferable Purchasing Policy

The business has a sustainable/environmentally-preferable purchasing policy (e.g., it seeks out and buys environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, furniture, and other items).

A. Yes

Innovation

Innovation Bonus 1

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

A. Yes

mis-cut materials are donated to school art programs

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

Stormwater Awareness

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

A. Yes

Business Operations and Practices

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

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

Pursuing Sustainability Grants

The business has pursued grants for energy efficiency or other sustainability projects, façade improvements, and/or anything else that seeks to improve the business’s performance.

A. Yes

Employee Health Encouragement

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

A. Yes

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

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

Minority, LGBT, or Woman-owned Business

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

A. Yes