Sustainability Practices

Business Operations and Practices

Guards Against Corruption

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

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

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

Local/Sustainability Marketing

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

A. Yes

Sustainable Practices Training

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

A. Yes

Pursuing Sustainability Grants

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

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

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

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

The business uses ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to track its energy usage.

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

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

Incandescent Light Replacement

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

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

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

Print Preview

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

A. Yes

Eliminated Plastic Bag Use

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

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

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

Occupancy

Cool/White Roof

The business has a cool/white roof.

A. Yes

Transportation

Employees Ride Share

The business has employees who share car or van rides 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

Water Conservation and Management

Tracks Water Usage

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

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