| SECTION 1: PREREQUISITES |
| Main and Branch Offices | | Implementation | | Resources |
| 1. Provide a sustainability statement showing the company’s commitment to a green environment. | | Leadership buy-in is essential to a company sustainability program. Solicit senior management for input and development of program and statement. | | Sustainability Statement Samples |
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| 2. Establish a recycling program for plastics/glass/cardboard/newspaper. | | Building Owner:
1. Contact local municipality to see what programs exist and how they can be utilized.
Building Lessee:
1. Contact building manager to see what recycling programs are already in place in the building. Establishing a recycling program may be as simple as requesting the services from property management.
2. If no recycling services are available, meet with other tenants in building to petition for a program. | | Local government websites should provide information about recycling services, starting a recycling program and contact information.
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| 3. Establish a recycling program for paper. | | Building Owner:
1. Contact local municipality to see what programs exist and how they can be utilized.
Building Lessee:
1. Contact building manager to see what recycling programs are already in place in the building. Establishing a recycling program may be as simple as requesting the services from property management.
2. If no recycling services are available, meet with other tenants in building to petition for a program. | | Local government websites should provide information about recycling services, starting a recycling program and contact information.
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| 4. Establish a company policy of copying internal documents on both sides of paper. | | 1. Change the default settings on all office copiers (and printers with the duplex function) to print double-sided copies. *When necessary, copier settings can be changed from the default double-sided to print single-sided.
2. Notify staff of the new policy.
3. Include policy in employee manual.
4. Post policy on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 5. Purchase recycled or managed growth forest paper. | | Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for recycled paper options. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 6. Purchase office supplies from local companies within 500 miles. | | Purchase all office supplies from local vendors within 500 miles of office to reduce carbon footprint. | | |
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| 7. When needed, purchase ENERGY STAR (or equivalent) office equipment/appliances. | | ENERGY STAR provides lists of recommended products and where to purchase these products. | | www.energystar.gov |
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| 8. Use washable or recyclable tableware in main office. | | 1. Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for recycled tableware options.
2. Encourage employees to utilize personal mugs, glasses and dishes.
3. Provide non-disposable tableware for employees to utilize. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 9. Establish a policy to distribute documents electronically in lieu of printing. | | 1. Change the default settings on all office copiers (and printers with the duplex function) to print double-sided copies. When necessary, copier settings can be changed from the default double-sided to print single-sided.
2. Notify staff of the new policy.
3. Include policy in employee manual.
4. Post policy on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 10. Designate a used goods area in office for reusable binders, folders, padded envelopes, boxes, etc. | | 1. Establish designated area in office.
2. Notify staff of designated area along with suggested reusable items such as 3-ring binders, file folders and tabs.
3. Include location and suggested reusable items in employee manual.
4. Post location and suggested reusable items on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 11. Establish a policy to recycle toner cartridges. | | Recycle toner cartridges from office printers and copy machines. | | HP Recycling Program |
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| 12. Install compact fluorescent or long-burning light bulbs throughout office. (If unable to achieve this item, have documentation of request and building owner denial.) | | Building Owners:
1. Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or long-burning light bulbs.
Building Lessee:
1. Check with building manager to see what lighting options are available. If building management is not transitioning to the use of long-burning or compact fluorescent bulbs, meet with other tenants in the building to suggest the policy and highlight the benefits of it. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 13. Use non-toxic biodegradable cleaning practices. (If unable to achieve this item, have documentation of request and building owner denial.) | | 1. Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for non-toxic biodegradable cleaning products options.
2. If office is cleaned by an outside company, ask what measures are being taken to maintain green cleaning practices. This may involve requesting different services from the provider or hiring a new provider. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
| SECTION 2: ELECTIVE ITEMS |
| Main and Branch Offices | | Implementation | | Resources |
| 1. Conduct an energy audit through utility company. | | Contact energy utility company to set up an audit for office. | | Contact local utility company. |
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| 2. Purchase/lease low-emission vehicles for company use and provide written policy on all future vehicles. | | Contact dealers to request information on changing to or purchasing/leasing new low-emission vehicles for company use. | | Enterprise Fleet Management |
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| 3. Encourage carpooling/public transportation/biking to work. | | Provide incentives for employees to carpool, use public transportation or bike to work to reduce gas emissions. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 4. Establish a policy to recycle and/or donate old electronic equipment/phones. | | Research donation opportunities online or by telephone for charities accepting office supply donations. | | Muscular Dystrophy Association
Office Depot Charities
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Goodwill |
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| 5. Offer bike racks outside and showers in office building. | | Building Owners:
Check your community's zoning regulations on bike racks before installing.
Building Lessee:
Inquire with management company about possibility of installing bike racks and/or showers; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | |
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| 6. Install motion sensor controlled lights throughout office. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Resource Companies |
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| 7. Install individual comfort control devices with an automated thermostat for a minimum of 50 percent of occupants. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Find an ABC member in your area to install comfort control devices. |
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| 8. Insulate all hot and cold water pipes. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Find an ABC member in your area to install hot and cold water pipes. |
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| 9. Equip at least one room with online meeting and teleconferencing capabilities. | | Providing online meeting and teleconferencing capabilities to encourage employees not to travel, reducing gas emissions while saving company dollars. | | GoToMeeting |
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| 10. Establish a policy for archiving documents electronically. | | 1. Rather than printing and filing documents, archive documents on office computers/servers.
2. Notify staff of the new policy.
3. Include policy in employee manual.
4. Post policy on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 11. Establish written policy for turning off lights and computers when not in use. | | 1. Choose a timeframe for turning off office lights and computers when not in use.
2. Notify staff of the new policy.
3. Include policy in employee manual.
4. Post policy on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 12. Qualify as a carbon neutral company with proper third-party verification. | | Research third-party verification options. | | The Carbon Neutral Company |
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| 13. Install low-flush toilets and/or low-flush or waterless urinals throughout building. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Find an ABC member in your area to install low-flush toilets and/or low-flush or waterless urinals. |
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| 14. Install motion sensor controlled faucets in all bathrooms. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Find an ABC member in your area to install motion sensor controlled faucets. |
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| 15. Install user-controlled aerators on all office sinks. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | Find an ABC member in your area to install user-controlled aerators. |
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| 16. Office is located within half-mile walking distance of rail or bus stop. | | Choose office space in close proximity to a rail or bus stop, encouraging employees to utilize public transportation and reducing gas emissions. | | |
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| 17. Office is located within a LEED-certified building or LEED-Commercial Interiors building. | | LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings are a designation of the U.S. Green Building Council. | | U.S. Green Building Council |
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| 18. Complete a LEED-certified project. | | Get the company involved in the construction of a LEED certified project. | | U.S. Green Building Council |
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| 19. Use soy- or vegetable-based inks and recycled or managed growth paper in printed materials. | | 1. Soy- or vegetable-based inks, rather than petroleum-based inks, are more environmentally friendly and increase the recyclability of paper.
2. Contact current printing company to see if soy- or vegetable-based inks and recycled or managed growth paper are options. If not, consider hiring a new printing company. | | Contact local printing vendors. |
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| 20. Include subcontract “boilerplate” language regarding sustainable jobsite procedures. | | Providing sustainable procedures furthers green practices in the supply chain. | | |
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| 21. Show innovation/exemplary performance. | | Exceed or expand the scope required by the Green Contractor Certification elective items. Credit will be determined by the third-party assessor and the ABC National Green Building Committee. | | |
| Jobsite Office Complexes | | Implementation | | Resources |
| 22. Office is located within half-mile walking distance of rail or bus stop. | | Choose office space in close proximity to a rail or bus stop, encouraging employees to utilize public transportation and reducing gas emissions. | | |
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| 23. Utilize efficient air-conditioning. | | Clean or replace filters to allow air conditioners to run more efficiently, reducing energy use and costs while promoting a healthier workplace. | | Greeniacs.com |
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| 24. Utilize compact fluorescent lamps or long-burning light bulbs at all jobsite office locations. | | 1. Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or long-burning light bulbs.
2. Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for recycled paper options. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 25. Recycle glass, aluminum, paper and newspaper at all jobsite office locations; provide collection containers. | | 1. Provide recycling receptacles for glass, aluminum, paper and newspaper.
2. Check with local municipality to see what programs exist and how they can be utilized. Local government websites should provide information about recycling services, starting a recycling program and contact information. | | Contact local municipality. |
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| 26. Utilize washable or recyclable tableware at all jobsite office locations. | | 1. Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for recycled tableware options.
2. Encourage employees to utilize personal mugs, glasses, dishes.
3. Provide non-disposable tableware for employees to utilize. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 27. Utilize at least two pieces of ENERGY STAR office equipment at all jobsite office locations (computer, fax, copier, scanner, plotter, mail equipment, etc.). | | ENERGY STAR provides lists of recommended products and where to purchase these products. | | www.energystar.gov |
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| 28. Utilize filter water system or 5-gallon water bottles at all jobsite office locations. | | Reduce use of bottled water by installing filter water systems or by purchasing 5-gallon water bottles. | | PUR Water Filtration
Deer Park Water
Water.com |
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| 29. Post “Jobsite Rules” outlining green initiatives with green logo at all jobsite office locations. | | Add new green policies, such as recycling, to current jobsite posters or create a new poster dedicated to green policies. | | Suggested Jobsite Green Practices |
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| 30. Divert 50 percent of project’s construction waste material from a landfill. | | Develop and implement a construction waste management plan that meets the requirements of the LEED Construction Waste Management credit. | | USGBC LEED Reference Guide
Design a Waste Management Plan (WA State)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
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| 31. Purchase 10 percent (by cost) of project’s construction materials within 500 miles of main office. | | Develop and implement a regional materials plan that meets the requirements of the LEED Regional Materials credit. | | USGBC LEED Reference Guide |
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| 32. Purchase 10 percent (by cost) recycled materials for project. | | Develop and implement a regional materials plan that meets the requirements of the LEED Recycled Content credit. | | USGBC LEED Reference Guide |
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| 33. Reuse 5 percent of project’s building materials and products. | | Develop and implement a regional materials plan that meets the requirements of the LEED Materials Reuse credit. | | USGBC LEED Reference Guide |
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| 34. Show innovation/exemplary performance. | | Exceeds or expands the scope required in the Green Contractor Certification elective items. Credit will be determined by the third-party assessor and the ABC National Green Building Committee. | | |
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| 35. Show innovation/exemplary performance. | | Exceeds or expands the scope required in the Green Contractor Certification elective items. Credit will be determined by the third-party assessor and the ABC National Green Building Committee. | | |
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| 36. Show innovation/exemplary performance. | | Exceeds or expands the scope required in the Green Contractor Certification elective items. Credit will be determined by the third-party assessor and the ABC National Green Building Committee. | | |
| SECTION 4: EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
| Employee Title | | Resources |
| 1. Craft Professionals | | Contact your ABC chapter for training opportunities.
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) - "Your Role in the Green Environment" training module |
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| 2. Management | | Contact your ABC chapter for training opportunities.
U.S. Green Building Council - National or Find Local Chapter
Green Advantage Training |
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| 3. Staff Personnel | | Contact your ABC chapter for training opportunities.
U.S. Green Building Council - National or Find Local Chapter
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) - "Your Role in the Green Environment" training module |
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| 4. Professional Credentials | | LEEP Accreditation (AP): www.usgbc.org
Green Advantage Certification: www.greenadvantage.org
National Sustainable Building Advisor Program (NaSBAP): www.nasbap.org |
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