Sustainability Practices

Innovation

Innovation Bonus 2

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

A. Yes

We reuse liquor boxes to package customer purchases, and reuse shipping materials for shipping

Innovation Bonus 1

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

A. Yes

We fill our own 5 gallon polar water bottle

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

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

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

Natural Cooling

The business uses natural cooling (e.g., opening windows and doors) in place of air conditioning, when feasible.

A. Yes

Energy-Saving Guidelines

or has energy-saving guidelines as to when to adjust its thermostat, such as what temperature should be set the end of the day or when the business is not open (if answered NO to above).

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

Alternative Heating System Installation

The business has installed an alternative heating system (i.e., one that does not heat with oil, gas, or electricity).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minority, LGBT, or Woman-owned Business

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

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

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

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

Waste Audit/Assessment

The business has undergone a waste audit or assessment in the past five years.

B. Yes, we have conducted our own waste audit/assessment

Own Waste Audit/Assessment Implementation

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

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

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

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