The Mission of the Green Businessinitiativeis to Promote the Interest of Businesses That
Mission:
The mission of the Green BusinessInitiativeis to promote the interest of businesses that are committed and engaged in environmentally responsible operations and practices, also known as “green” business practices.
Pledge:
Members of the Green Business Initiative pledge to continually strive toward environmentally safe and sustainable business practices and operations to ensure that the Indianapolis region is environmentally healthy and viable. Members also pledge to meet all existing federal, state and local environment regulations.
Goals:
- To market our members who are proactively engaging in green business practices and operations
- To serve as an environmental public policy conduit between business and other interested organizations
- To increase awareness of the economic growth opportunities related to the emerging green economy
- To connect existing green-focused organizations with other businesses to promote best practices with sustainable business models
Member Benefits:
- Members will be recognized as committed to a greener Indianapolis region through their business operations
- Members will have access to the Indy Chamber Green Businesslogo for print and electronic use
- Green Business members will receive recognition on
Membership minimum requirements:
- All applicants must be current members of the Indy Chamber.
- All applicants must complete the application and submit to the Review Committee for qualification.
- All applicants must meetthe indicated required green practices.
- Business members representing 100 or more employees must additionally meet at least one “green practice” in each of the 7Green Practice Categories (Waste Prevention, Recycling, Purchasing, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Transportation, and Education and Outreach) with a minimum total of 20 points.
- Members representing 99 or fewer employees must meet at least one “green practice” in 5 of the 7Green Practice Categories (Waste Prevention, Recycling, Purchasing, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation Transportation, and Education and Outreach) with a minimum total of 15 points.
Re-Application
- Members must re-apply every two (2) years to maintain qualification as a Green Business member.
- Green Business Members re-applying for recognition must (1) meet all indicated required green practices and minimum membership requirements,and(2) must demonstrate progress by detailing new green practices incorporated in each category since previous application.
To participate in the Indy Chamber Green Business Initiative, please complete the application form and qualification descriptions. Submit to:
Indy Chamber
Green Business
111 Monument Circle, Suite 1950
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Or
email your application to Lisa Roper at
General Information
Business Name: ______Website address: ______
Description of Business: ______
Contact Person: ______
Title of Person completing the application: ______
Phone: ______
E-mail: ______
Mailing Address: ______
______
Number of Employees: ______Own building or Lease office space? ______
Member of the Indy Chamber since: ______
Indy Chamber Green Business Member since*: ______
*If re-application
Member of the Central Indiana Clean Air Partnership since: ______
Currently certified in other recognized environmental programs (e.g. ISO 14001, LEED, Energy Star, Green Seal, Green Globe, ESP etc.):
______
Business Category:
Office or retail operation
Hotel
Restaurant
Landscape design or maintenance
Construction
Auto service
Architecture/Engineering services
Technology
Manufacturing
Agricultural
Supplier of green products/services
Provider of green services (describe)
Other: ______
“As a member of the Green Business initiative and leader of my organization, I pledge to continually strive toward environmentally safe and sustainable business practices and operations to ensure that the greater Indianapolis region is environmentally healthy and viable.”
Signature of organization’s leader: ______
Title: ______
Minimum Requirements
- All applicants must meet the indicated required green practices.
- Business members representing 100 or more employees must additionally meet at least one green practice in each of the 7 categoriesand a minimum of 20 points.
- Members representing 99 or fewer employees must meet at least one green practice in 5 of the 7 categories and a minimum of 15 points.
- Green Business Members re-applying for recognition must (1) meet all indicated required green practices and minimum membership requirements, and (2) must demonstrate progress by detailing new green practices incorporated in each category since previous application.
Please check AND describe all applicable operations and/or practice in each category.
If you have instituted green policies in your business, please include the policies as attachments to this application, and include specific policy language where requested.
Required Green Practices
The following green operations and practices are required for recognition as an Indy Chamber Green Business.
Please check and describe the implementation of each green practice. If you have instituted green office policies in your business, please include the policies as attachments to this application.
Required: Recycle office paper.
Description:
Required: Recycle toner and inkjet cartridges.
Description:
Required: If you own your building, track electricity usage and share data with employees.
Description:
Required: If you own or lease vehicles, track transportation fuel usage and share data with
employees.
Description:
Required: If you own your building, track natural gas usage and share data with employees.
Description:
Required: Implement an office policy to require chargers to be unplugged when not in use. (Please
include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Required: Implement an office policy to place all computers on energy-saving settings and turn off
computer monitors when not in use. (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Required: Use programmable thermostats.
Description:
Required: If you own your building, get an annual HVAC tune-up. (Please include Energy Use policy
language).
Description:
Required: Regularly check for and repair leaks in restrooms.
Description:
Required: Clean outdoor areas with a broom instead of a hose(if applicable).
Description:
Required: Institute a non-idling policy at your facility and during deliveries. (Please include Energy
Use policy language).
Description:
Required: Commit to attend a minimum of one Chamber Green Institute education event each year.
Description
Green Practice Categories
Please check AND describe all applicable operations and/or practices in each category.
The following operations/practices are opportunities; please also describe other initiatives not necessarily included.Please provide policy language where requested, and include all green policies as attachments to this application.
The Green Business Review Committee reviews each application and maintains discretion on qualifications.
- Waste Prevention
1 Point: 1.a. Implement policy touse electronic distribution to avoid unnecessary document printing, and set copier and printer defaults to 2-sided.(Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
1 Point: 1.b. Implement marketing policy to minimize or eliminate the use of envelopes. (please
include policy language)
Description:
2 Points: 1.c. Reduce 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.
Description:
2 Points: 1.d. Implement policy to reuse packaging and shipping materials.(Please include Energy
Use policy language).
Description:
2 Points: 1.e. Offer reusable shopping bags and/or discounts for those who use them.
Description:
3 Points: 1.f. Avoid the use of single-use products and purchase in bulk.
Description:
5 Points: 1.g. Implement Waste Prevention and Recycling Policy requiring regular Waste Audits, and
setting waste reduction and recycling goals designed to strive for continuous improvement. (Please
include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point total: _____/16 possible
- Recycling
2 points: 2.a.Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic and steel cans.
Description
2 Points: 2.b.Recycle and/or properly dispose of all materials that contain potentially hazardous materials, including: batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, cleaning products, chemicals, floor wax, fire extinguishers, herbicides, rodent and insect control products, etc.
Description:
2 Points: 2.c.Recycle corrugated cardboard, wood pallets, pallet wrap and wood debris.
Description:
3 Points: 2.d.Donate or recycle used electronic equipment (E-Waste) to an Indiana State Registered Recycler.
Description and name of recycling vendor
4 Points: 2.e.Compost landscape waste
Description:
5 Points: 2.f.Donate or compost food waste
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point Total: ____/18 possible
- Purchasing
1 Point: 3.a.Buy office paper with at least 30% recycled content.
Description:
1 Point: 3.b.Purchase recycled/re-manufactured toner cartridges.
Description:
1 Point: 3.c.Purchase from “green” vendors or service providers (Please list these vendors, and
describe their “green” designation).
Description:
2 Points: 3.d.Exchange or donate unwanted furniture, equipment, scrap materials through material
exchange or donation programs.
Description:
3 Points: 3.e.Purchase and use safe, eco-friendly, non-toxic, or organic products for janitorial, pest
control and/or facility maintenance, or direct cleaning service to use them.
Description:
3 Points: 3.f.Eliminate use of Styrofoam. Purchasereusable cups, flatware and containers for office
use. Where “to go” food containers are needed, purchase biodegradable or compostable containers.
Description:
3 Points: 3.g.Purchase used or refurbished furniture, equipment or materials preferentially (Please
include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
4 Point: 3.h.Policy in place to incorporate environmentally-preferable products to the greatest extent
possible during all renovations and whenever replacing equipment (high-efficiency windows, low-VOC
paint and carpets, FSC Certified woods and renewable materials, Energy-Star appliances and office
equipment, HVAC systems, etc.). (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
5 Points: 3.i.Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPP) in place which sets EPP goals and
strives for continual improvement (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point Total: ____/23 possible
- Energy Conservation
2 Points: 4.a.Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs or other appropriate energy efficient
lighting.Define progress.
Description:
2 Points: 4.b.Reduce ‘over lighting’ by reduction of unnecessary indoor and outdoor lighting.
Description:
2 Points: 4.c.Use motion sensors, timers or other lighting controls.
Description:
2 Points: 4.d.Use “Energy Star” appliances.
Description:
3 Points: 4.e.Update insulation or windows (includes tinting).
Description:
5 Points: 4.f.Use renewable energy and/or purchase renewable power (e.g. solar).
Description:
5 Points: 4.g.Enroll in energy efficiency programs through local energy companies (e.g. Peak Power).
Description:
5 Points: 4.h.Attainment of recognized energy efficiency certification (e.g. LEED, Energy Star, Green
Globes).
Description:
5 Points: 4.i.Have an Energy Audit conducted by a professional energy consultant and implement
recommendations.
Description:
5 Points: 4.j.Energy Use Policy in place which sets reductions goals and strives for continual
improvement (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices(describe)
Point Total: ____/36 possible
- Water Conservation/Water Quality
1 Points: 5.a.Install pre-rinse spray nozzle in kitchen.
Description:
2 Points: 5.b.Install aerators and/or auto shut-off on faucets.
Description:
2 Points: 5.c.Use of no-phosphorous/low phosphorous fertilizer for lawns.
Description:
3 Points: 5.d.Install low-water requirementor native landscaping.
Description:
4 Points: 5.e.Install commercial-grade ultra low-flow toilets.
Description:
5 Points: 5.f.Use captured wastewaterfor irrigation, etc. (gray water reuse).
Description:
5 Points: 5.g.Have a Water Audit performed by a professional and implement recommendations.
Description:
5 Points: 5.h.Implement a water use policy which sets reduction goals and focuses on continual
improvement. Incorporateirrigation policy with utilizes automatic timers to water, at most, every other day;
integration of water recognition devices to gauge wet weather days and avoid over-watering(Please
include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point Total: ____/27 possible
- Transportation
1 Point: 6.a.Schedule regular tune-ups for business vehicles. Regularly check tire pressure and
remove unnecessary weight from vehicles to improve mileage.
Description:
1 Point: 6.b.Business policy in place to use teleconferences or web conferences rather than traveling
for face-to-face meetings(Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
3 Points: 6.c.Implement a flexible work schedule for employees, which allows for commute reduction
and/or avoidance of rush hour (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
3 Points: 6.d.Install bike racks and shower facilities for employees.
Description:
4 Points: 6.e.Implement a parking space buy-out for employees who utilize public transportation for
every day work commutes(Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
4 Points: 6.f.Provide preferred parking for employees who carpool daily.
Description:
4 Points: 6.g.Implement strategies for fuel efficiencies from business-owned vehicles, including:
strategic pick-up and delivery routes; avoidance of high ozone times; or non-idling policies (Please
include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
5 Points: 6.h.Use hybrid vehicles.
Description:
5 Points: 6.i.Member of Central Indiana Commuter Services ( and
number of employees enrolled.
Description:
5 Points: 6.j.Implement “Green Fleet” Policy which sets quantitative goals and strives for continual
improvement (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point Total: ____/35 possible
- Communication and Outreach
1 Points: Actively communicate environmental goals, commitments, and programs to employees and
the broader community.
Description:
1 Points: Incorporate training on environmental policies and expectations in new employee orientation
(Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
3 Points: Train all employees on new or updated environmental policies, and regularly communicate
the organization’s environmental goals and performance. Regularly recognize employee contributions to
environmental programs.
Description:
3 Points: Establish a “Green Team” or other internal structure to drive environmental efforts, which
includes the support of corporate leadership, and ongoing employee participation from across the
organization.
Description:
3 Points: Support environmental programs and organizations in the broader Indianapolis Community
(Participation in community festivals such as Earth Day; partnership with a local school or NGO,
purchasing carbon offsets which support local environmental projects, etc.).
Description:
5 Points: Develop an Environmental Communication and Outreach Policy, which outlines outreach
strategy, goals, and strives for continuous improvement (Please include Energy Use policy language).
Description:
Other practices (describe)
Point Total: ____/16 possible
Re-Application: Demonstration of Continual Improvement
Members of the Green Business Initiative pledge to continually strive toward environmentally safe and sustainable business practices, and members must re-apply every 2 years to maintain qualification as a Green Business member.Green Business Members re-applying for recognition must demonstrate progress by detailing new green practices incorporated in each category since previous application and/or the establishment of a formal Sustainability Management System (SMS) aimed at continual improvement.
New Green Initiatives
Please describe all green practices, in each category, implemented by your organization since your last application for recognition as a Green Business Member.
Date of last application: ______Date of Approval:______
Establishment of a Sustainability Management System (SMS) or comparable Integrated Green Business Program aimed at continual improvement.
Detailed description and type of SMS.
New Green Practices in each category
Waste Prevention:
Description
Recycling:
Description
Purchasing:
Description
Energy Conservation:
Description
Water Conservation:
Description
Transportation:
Description
Education and Outreach:
Description
Other Practices and Initiatives for Consideration
Are you actively involved with public advocacy for a healthier environment and if so, how?
If you are leasing office space from a building management company, how are you working with the company to incorporate greener building operations?
What barriers are you encountering that prevent you from implementing other green practices?
Other Green initiatives for consideration (please submit description, photos, and/or other supplemental materials):