Is your business green compliant?

Businesses contribute excessively towards the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere and the release of toxic waste into the environment. We need to make sure that our businesses do not further complicate the environmental problem but essentially assist in restoring and protecting our planet. How you can do this?

To be a green business, first bring your operations into compliance with all environmental regulations. Then go beyond compliance to meet the general practices and targeted resource conservation and pollution prevention measures which are summarized below.

1. General Practices

• Monitor and record rates of water and energy usage and solid and hazardous waste generation.
• Provide three on-going incentives or training opportunities to encourage management and employee participation.
• Inform your customers about your business' efforts to meet the Green Business Standards.
• Assist at least one other business in learning about the Green Business Program and encourage them to enroll.

2. Resource Conservation

a. Water Conservation

• Conduct an indoor/outdoor water balance or assessment by monitoring your water bill to see your usage.
• Implement the suggested or industry specific water conservation measures, such as leak detection and reuse of water.

b. Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling

Conduct a waste reduction assessment of solid waste streams and implement solid waste reduction and recycling measures:

• Reduce paper waste and incorporate waste reduction methods into your business. This can be done by recycling or reusing materials.
• Purchase recycled or used materials/products for your business such as recyclable business cards, pens, pencils and notebooks.

c. Energy Conservation

• Have your local energy utility or energy service companies conduct a commercial energy assessment.
• Perform regular maintenance on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
• Implement alternative technologies and behavioral changes — Open a window instead of using air-conditioning, or turn the heaters off once the room is at an acceptable temperature.

3. Pollution Prevention

Conduct an assessment of your facility to identify pollution prevention opportunities and implement prevention measures:

• Good housekeeping and operating practices. For example, use less- or non-toxic cleaning products.
• Implement material, product, technology or process changes.
• Reuse or recycle hazardous materials/wastes. For example, automotive waste, needle and syringe disposal.
• Prevent contamination of storm water and runoff by implementing measures, such as leak detection in pipes that carry waste and dumping away from human living areas.
• Reducing vehicle emissions by frequent vehicle inspection and the use of “cleaner” fuel (unleaded or lead replacement fuel).

Now that all of these changes have been implemented, you have contributed positively to the well-being of the planet. This is not only a long term benefit for yourself, but will be for your future generations too!