
Includes conference planning; cultural events; festivals, indoor and out; weddings and religious events.
Company
Required:
- Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.
- Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on website.
Preferred:
- Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.
- Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.) that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.
Services
Required:
- Use environmentally friendly (reusable, compostable, recyclable, etc) products, addressing: versions of at least two out of the four following products: Paper, including napkins; Cleaning products; Cups, cutlery, plates; Linens. Serviceware (e.g., cups, plates, containers, cutlery, napkins, straws, condiments, etc), Cleaning products, Linens, Tickets/tokens.
- Equipment used at event is energy-efficient (e.g., EnergyStar rated).
- Require non-essential lighting and equipment to be turned off when not in use.
- Lighting for event used is CFL/LED.
- Select food vendors that are local or committed to sustainability.
- Maximum amount of food is locally sourced/seasonal foods.
- Minimize printing and encourage electronic communication; when printing, use of 100% post-consumer recycled, chlorine-free paper.
- Provide recycling services at event; waste bins have proper signage at event.
- Offer clients carbon offsets or purchase of Renewable Energy Credits or offset entire company’s footprint annually.
- Encourage clients to co-locate events with public transportation.
- Only serve certified fair trade (preferred) or USDA certified organic coffee, tea and sugar.
- Provide signage and education to all stakeholders explaining green efforts before (e.g., on websites, during ticket purchase, etc) and during event; prioritize reusable signage.
Preferred: (must apply at least half of the following)
- Focus on vegetarian food with limited meat options; meat is sustainably sourced; provide food options for dietary restrictions
- Restriction on single-use plastic bottles at event
- Provide reusable serviceware at event
- Provide recycling and composting services at event; waste bins have proper signage at event
- Use of linens where paper products are typical
- Use green certified venues (e.g., LEED certified)
- Track waste streams and waste diversion rates
- Donations of leftover food to food banks or hospitals and other community centers for flowers
- Offer incentives (e.g., discounts) for attendees who use public transportation
- Vendor giveaways are sustainable
- Adopt anti-idling policy and inform all stakeholders of this policy
Company Employment:
Required:
- Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help.
- Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules.
- Pays a wage that ensures employees well-being.
- Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure, and ensures an inclusive workplace culture.
- Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place.
Preferred:
- Living wage is paid.
- Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development.
Education:
Required:
- Use transparent and truthful marketing.
- Advocate for green business practices in your industry.
- Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.
Preferred:
- Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs.
Green Office/Facility
Required:
- HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.
- System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.
- Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.
- Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.
- Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.
- Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.
- Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.
- Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.
- Compost all food waste (including from events).
- Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.
- Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.
- Use of green or local caterers for events.
- Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.
- Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).
- Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.