Clear-Blue-Green Business Certification Program Application

The Clear-Blue-Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that encourages businesses to implement proactive actions that are good for their bottom line and the environment. The Clear-Blue-Green Business Certification Program, a partnership between the Go Greener Commission, Greater Lafayette Commerce, and the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, seeks to recognize businesses that are committed and engaged in environmentally responsible operations and practices. Through this program, we hope to market our members who are actively involved in green business practices, increase awareness of the economic growth opportunities related to emerging green economies, and to connect existing green businesses with new members of this market. Requirements: *Business members representing up to 99 employees must meet at least one requirement in 4 of the 6 categories and a minimum of 45 points. *Business members representing 100 or more employees must meet at least one requirement in each category with a minimum of 55 points. Please note, you must complete the application in its entirety before submission. Your progress cannot be saved and submitted later.

Business Name:

Website Address:

Business Description:

Contact Person and Title:

Phone:

Email Address:

Mailing Address:

Number of Employees:

Own Building or Lease Office Space?:

Member of Chamber of Commerce (not required for certification):

Yes

No

Business Category:

Professional Services

Auto Service

Construction

Hotel

Landscape Design or Maintenance

Manufacturing

Office or Retail Operation

Print

Restaurant

Technology

Provider of Green Products/Services

Other

Name of Business Leader and Title:

By typing my name, I, the business leader of a Clear-Blue-Green Business, pledge to continually strive toward environmentally safe and sustainable business practices and operations to ensure that West Lafayette/Lafayette/Tippecanoe County is environmentally healthy and viable.

Please check all applicable operations and/or practices in each category

Water Conservation:

Use only biodegradable cleaning products. (1 point)

Regularly check for and repair leaks in restrooms. (1 point)

Clean outdoor areas with a broom instead of a hose. (1 point)

Use aerators and/or auto shut off on faucets. (2 points)

Use commercial ultra-flow toilets. (2 points)

Use pre-rinse spray nozzle in kitchen. (2 points)

Use low-water requirement landscaping. (2 points)

Use of no-phosphorus/low phosphorus fertilizer for lawns. (2 points)

Use landscaping plan that limits water and energy use while preserving or enhancing the natural environment (native and regionally appropriate vegetation, hydrozoning, limited turf areas, etc.) . (2 points)

Use best management practices for storm water (natural water/drainage features, rain gardens, rain barrels, etc.). (2 points)

Use captured wastewater for irrigation, etc. (gray water). (3 points)

Implemented an irrigation policy incorporating automatic timers to water, at most, every other day; integration of water recognition devices to gauge wet weather days to avoid overwatering. (3 points)

Innovation in business practices - Water Conservation:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Water Conservation (25 pts.):

Energy Conservation:

Implemented an office policy requiring chargers to be unplugged when not in use. (1 point)

Implemented an office policy to turn off all computer monitors and lights when not in use. (1point)

Use programmable thermostat. (1 point)

Get an annual HVAC tune-up and/or refrigeration tune-up. (1 point)

Replaced incandescent bulbs with energy efficient lighting and/or reduced existing number of florescent tubes used. (2 points)

Reduced "over lighting": reduction of unnecessary indoor and outdoor lighting. (2 points)

Use motion sensors, timers or other lighting controls. (2 points)

Track electricity usage and share data with employees. (3 points)

Track transportation fuel usage and share data with employees. (3 points)

Track natural gas usage and share data with employees. (3 points)

Use Energy Star appliances. (1 point/appliance, maximum 3 points. Please list below)

Installed updated insulation or windows (includes tinting). (3 points)

Use renewable energy and/or purchase renewable power (e.g. wind, solar). (4 points)

Enrolled in energy efficiency programs through local energy companies. (4 points)

Innovation in business practices - Energy Conservation:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Energy Conservation (35 pts.):

Waste Reduction and Prevention:

Implemented policy to use electronic distribution to avoid unnecessary document printing and set copier and printer defaults to 2-sided. (1 point)

Implemented policy to reuse packaging and shipping materials. (2 points)

Reduced the amount of bulk mail and duplicate mailings sent and received: i.e. regularly update/purge your mailing lists and request that business be removed from unnecessary or unneeded mailing lists. (2 points)

Recycle batteries. (2 points)

Recycle pallets, pallet wrap/plastic films and wood debris. (2 points)

Offer reusable shopping bags and/or discounts for those who use them. (3 points)

Donate or recycle used electronic equipment (E-Waste) to an Indiana State Registered Recycler. (3 points)

If you are a hotel or restaurant, use reusable rather than disposable products (dishes, towels, boxes, bags, containers, etc.). (3 points)

Compost waste. (4 points)

Recycle:

paper

glass

aluminum

steel cans

plastic

cardboard

toner and ink cartridges

(1 point/recyclable, Maximum 4 points)

Innovation in business practices - Waste Reduction:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Waste Reduction and Prevention (28 pts.):

Purchasing:

Buy office paper with at least 30% recycled content. (1 point)

Purchase recycled/re-manufactured toner cartridges. (1 point)

Exchange or donate unwanted furniture, equipment, scrap materials through material exchange or donation programs. (1 point)

Purchase and use safe, eco-friendly, non-toxic, organic products and packaging (janitorial, pest control and/or facility maintenance) or require cleaning service to use them. (1 point)

Purchase biodegradable or compostable "to-go" food containers. (2 points)

Purchase used furniture, equipment or materials. (2 points)

Innovation in business practices - Purchasing:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Purchasing (10 pts.):

Transportation:

Implemented policy to use teleconferences or web conferences rather than traveling for face-to-face meetings. (1 point)

Schedule regular tune-ups for business vehicles; regularly check tire pressure; check for fluid leakage. (1 point)

Implemented non-idling policy at your facility and during deliveries. (2 points)

Implemented a flexible work schedule for employees. (3 points)

Installed bike racks and shower facilities for employees. (3 points)

Implemented a parking space buy-out for employees who utilize public transportation for every day work commutes. (4 points)

Allow preferred parking for employees who carpool daily. (4 points)

Use hybrid vehicles. (4 points)

Implement strategies for fuel efficiencies such as strategic pick-up and delivery routes; avoidance of high ozone times; non-idling policies. (4 points)

Innovation in business practices - Transportation:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Transportation (28 pts.):

Employee Education and Outreach:

Employees certified in recognized environmental/energy efficiency certifications (e.g. EPA Performance Track, LEED, etc.). (3 points)

Actively involved with public advocacy for a healthier environment? (4 points)

Conduct staff training programs on environmental issues/compliance/etc.? (4 points)

Offer flex scheduling for attending community based environmental meetings. (4 points)

Encourage participation in environmental surveys, events, etc. (4 points)

Allow employees to participate in environmental events as a business. (4 points)

Provide peer to peer counseling for businesses interested in becoming Clear-Blue-Green certified (if yes, please enter businesses below)? (4 points)

Businesses for Education and Outreach:

Please list businesses for which you provide peer to peer counseling as referenced in the above question.

Innovation in business practices - Employee Education and Outreach:

Please describe your business practices for the items checked above, and describe any innovative practices or efforts that we may have missed (potential for up to 2 points).

Point Total for Employee Education and Outreach (29 pts.):

Total points for efforts to integrate employee education and outreach into your business

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