Environmental Policy Statement
We shall strive to incorporate sustainability into our core operations through internal and external efforts. Specifically, we shall adopt the following policies and practices:
Conserve energy, water and natural resources.
Commit to purchasing environmentally preferable products.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Promote environmental education, outreach and awareness to our staff and the greater community.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
We shall reduce our waste stream by increasing our recycling and composting capabilities to 85% diversion from the landfill.
Strive to increase waste diversion by recycling all paper, cardboard, wood, metals, bottles, plastics, packaging and cans.
Compost all food and landscape waste.
Discourage the use of disposable products by using washable/reusable items.
Reduce the waste generated by donating reusable office items (appliances, electronic equipment, and furniture) to charitable organizations.
Reuse envelopes and packaging.
Promote the use of natural lighting and solar energy, where feasible.
Institute a policy to turn off lighting and appliances in unoccupied rooms.
Conduct annual training to educate staff about proper recycling and composting.
Remind staff quarterly about waste reduction practices.
Discourage the use of single-use plastic bottled water and only provide refillable or non-plastic water containers.
Toxics Reduction
We shall reduce the use of toxic materials to protect employee health and the environment. Specifically we shall -
Purchase low to non-toxic janitorial cleaning products (only those approved for use by the CA Green Business Program). Certified by Green Seal, UL Ecologo, EPA Safer Choice, EWG or a GoodGuide.com score of 8+.
Switch to recycled content products, materials and supplies when available.
Purchase Low VOC paints, markers and non-toxic air fresheners.
Recycle universal wastes (electronics, batteries, fluorescent light tubes, used motor oil) and prohibit purchasing materials that may lead to hazardous waste generation.
Purchase rechargeable batteries and appliances only.
Promote storm water pollution prevention and source control.
Minimize the use of disinfectants to only surfaces in restrooms or on door handles.
Use Integrated Pest Management. If contracting with a pest control operator, we’ll specify in contracts the use of IPM at our facility.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
We shall purchase/use the following:
Office & disposable paper products with 100% recycled content (30% minimum).
For promotional printing, choose the paper option with the most recycled content possible (30% minimum) and vegetable or low-VOC inks when available.
Products with the least packaging (no plastic, polystyrene or aerosol packaging).
Recycled content-containing office furniture and supplies.
Refillable bottles, canvas or 100% post-consumer waste recycled bags and reusable to-go containers.
LED lighting, Energy Star appliances and EPEAT certified electronics.
Water-efficient toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators.
Reusable dishware in breakrooms.
Coffee machine that does not require single-use plastic or aluminum pods.
Conserve Fossil Fuels
We shall conserve fossil fuels by encouraging the use of public transit.
Promoting biking, walking, riding public transport to work and carpooling.
Offering telecommuting options.
Encourage smart driving practices such as reducing excess weight in vehicles, driving the speed limit and at steady speeds, accelerating and decelerating slowly and steadily, and turning off the engine when stopped for more than two minutes.
We shall strive to build and remodel using LEED green building standards.
Conserve Water and Energy
We shall conserve natural resources by –
Enabling the power-saving settings of all monitors and laptops.
Regularly monitoring energy and water usage through online tools or bill review.
Conducting regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance, at least twice per year.
Conserve water with the installation of ultra-low flow and/or dual flush toilets, plant native drought tolerant plants and use water-conserving irrigation systems.
Employee Education
We shall educate employees on resource conservation and pollution prevention through –
Hosting only zero waste events i.e. ensuring that little to no waste is generated during work parties, picnics, meetings. Ask caterers to use reusable everything, buy reusable trays, etc.
Training programs or brown bag sessions to educate employees on proper recycling & composting practices, resource conservation ideas, importance of low-toxic purchasing etc.
Informing staff of environmental issues in company emails, training materials, staff meetings.
Environmental Stewardship
Through the course of our work, we shall endeavor to promote these policies to other companies, organizations and individuals.