Sustainability Practices

Business Operations and Practices

Employee Health Encouragement

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

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

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

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

Minority, LGBT, or Woman-owned Business

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

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

"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

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

Supports Fair-trade Items

The business supports fair-trade items.

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

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

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

Task/Zone Lighting

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

A. Yes

Innovation

Innovation Bonus 2

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

A. Yes

We use plastic bags from home (ex: Giant Eagle) when bagging customer purchases.

Innovation Bonus 1

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

A. Yes

We open the door instead of using the A/C or turning on the heat (weather depending).