Sustainability Practices

Business Operations and Practices

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

Local/Sustainability Marketing

The business markets itself as a local and sustainability-oriented business.

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

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

Stategic Business Plan

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

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

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

Occupancy

Former Blighted/Abandoned Property

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

A. Yes

Transportation

Employees Bike or Walk

The business has employees who bike or walk 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

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

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

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

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

Supports Fair-trade Items

The business supports fair-trade items.

A. Yes

Cooperative Purchasing With Local Businesses

The business engages in cooperative purchasing with other local businesses or organizations.

A. Yes

Innovation

Innovation Bonus 1

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

A. Yes

Compost all agricultural waste through Ag-recycle

Innovation Bonus 2

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

A. Yes

Grow our own floral products, source floral products from local growers when possible

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

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

Task/Zone Lighting

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

A. Yes