| SECTION 1: CORE REQUIREMENTS |
| 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's 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 each of the following items: plastics, glass, cardboard and newspaper. | | Building Owner:
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:
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. The minimum content is 25%. | | Review office supply vendor’s catalog/website for recycled paper options. | | Staples
The Office Depot |
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| 6. 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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| 7. Utilize 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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| 8. 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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| 9. Designate a used goods area in office for reusable binders, folders, padded envelopes, boxes and similar office supplies. | | 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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| 10. Establish a policy to recycle toner cartridges. | | Recycle toner cartridges from office printers and copy machines. | | HP Recycling Program |
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| 11. Install lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 throughout the office. (If unable to acheive this item, have documentation of request and building owner denial.) | | Building Owners:
Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.
Building Lessee:
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. | | ASHRAE Standards |
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| 12. Use non-toxic biodegradable cleaning practices. Cleaning products used must comply with maximum VOC contents listed in Green Seal GS-37, Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use. (If unable to achieve this item, have documentation of request and building owner denial.) | | 1. Visit www.greenseal.org 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. | | Green Seal |
| 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. Currently purchases/leases low-emission vehicles for company use for at least 3% of office employees. | | 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. Provide incentives for 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. Provide bike racks or secure storage for bikes for at least 5% of office employees and showers in the office building for 0.5% of building occupants. | | 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 in the following areas within the office building: every individual office, training/conference room, restrooms and break rooms (at a minimum). | | 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% of individual work stations. | | 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, teleconference and videoconference capabilities (e.g., web cam, Skype, etc.). It should be a common area designed to hold more than one person who can be present to attend conferences/meetings. | | 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. Install lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 throughout the office. | | Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. | | ASHRAE Standards |
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| 12. Establish a written policy for turning off lights, computer screens and computers when not in use. | | 1. Notify staff of the new policy.
2. Include policy in employee manual.
3. Post policy on company’s intranet. | | Sustainability Policies and Practices Sample |
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| 13. Qualify as a carbon-neutral company with proper third-party verification. | | Research third-party verification options. | | The Carbon Neutral Company |
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| 14. Install low-flush toilets and/or low-flush or waterless urinals throughout building. The fixtures should meet WaterSense performance criteria or equal. | | Inquire with management company about possibility of installation; meet with other tenants to create building-wide interest. | | WaterSense |
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| 15. 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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| 16. Install aerators on faucets in all user-controlled areas in the office. | | 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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| 17. 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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| 18. Office is located within a LEED-certified building or LEED-Commercial Interiors building. | | LEED-certified buildings are a designation of the U.S. Green Building Council. | | U.S. Green Building Council |
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| 19. 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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| 20. Use soy- or vegetable-based inks and recycled or managed growth paper in outsourced 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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| 21. Add “boilerplate” language to subcontracts that would require subcontractors to follow/implement sustainable jobsite procedures. | | Providing sustainable procedures furthers green practices in the supply chain. | | Sample |
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| 22. Show innovation/exemplary performance in an area not listed above. | | 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 |
| 23. 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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| 24. Clean or replace air-conditioning filters at least once a month. | | 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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| 25. Install lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 throughout office. | | Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with lighting technology that complies with IESNA/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004. | | ASHRAE Standards |
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| 26. 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. | | Contact local municipality. |
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| 27. 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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| 28. 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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| 29. 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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| 30. Post “Jobsite Rules” outlining green initiatives in an area visible to every employee/worker. | | 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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| 31. Divert 50% of current and future project’s construction waste material from a landfill (calculated by volume or weight). | | 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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| 32. Purchase 10% (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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| 33. Purchase 10% (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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| 34. Show innovation/exemplary performance in an area not listed above. | | 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 in an area not listed above. | | 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
a. At least 10% of average annual number of craft professionals andother employees on the jobsite receive a minimum of four hours ofsustainability awareness education and/or training prior toapplying for certification.
b. Develop a plan to provide at least two hours per year of continuingeducation on sustainable issues to the same craft professionals and employees on the jobsite. | | 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
a. At least 25% of eligible managers receive a minimum of eight hours of green building awareness education and/or training priorto applying for certification.
b. Provide eligible managers with at least four hours of continuing education per year. | | 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
All other employees who do not fall under one of the aforementioned classifications receive a minimum of one hour per year of training that highlights the company’s efforts to incorporate sustainability into their office practices. | | 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
At least one company employee has successfully passed the LEED AP exam, the Green Advantage Certification exam or an equivalen tcredential. | | 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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