GreenSpot Update

Godman Guild’s GreenSpot Pledge

Below you’ll see a list of commitments we made as part of the City of Columbus’ GreenSpot program. Those things that we have done/are doing are in green. Those things still to come are black.

Here’s how we will inform and engage

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• By January 15 of each year, we will summarize and submit the green initiatives we have begun or continued as a result of being part of GreenSpot.
• We will create and display an environmental policy or mission statement.
• We will measure our compliance with local, federal, health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will encourage a neighboring business to become a GreenSpot by referring them to the GreenSpot website.
• We will display our GreenSpot decal in a window or some other visible place.
• We will keep employees informed about our green efforts by including updates in employee communications such as newsletters or bulletins.
• We will openly encourage employees to be responsible environmental stewards in their personal lives.
• We will post a list of the commitments we chose for becoming a GreenSpot business where both customers and employees can see it.
• We will talk about our green efforts at staff meetings.

Here’s how we will reduce, reuse, and recycle

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will incorporate into our stock certain office and other supplies made with recycled or recyclable materials.
• We will establish a building-wide recycling program that includes-at a minimum-glass, aluminum, plastic bottles and paper.
• We will perform a waste audit of our business.
• We will track our monthly waste.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will encourage delivery of products in returnable, reusable, recycled or recyclable containers.
• We will encourage employees to communicate electronically, instead of on paper, whenever practicable and appropriate.
• We will donate unwanted furniture, supplies, scrap materials, linens, phones, etc.
• We will encourage employees to email or post staff memos and schedules in a central place instead of printing copies for each employee whenever practicable and appropriate.
• We will make available reusable dishware whenever practicable.
• We will purchase condiments (milk, sugar, cream, etc.) and supplies (soap, toiler paper, etc.) in bulk.
• We will purchase or obtain used office furniture.
• We will incorporate into our stock, and encourage the use of, reusable rather than disposable office supplies, such as erasable white boards and wall calendars.
• We will recycle or donate electronics that no longer work, or are no longer useful.
• We will reduce our paper use by:
  • Encouraging employees to avoid making unnecessary copies, and to make double-sided whenever practicable.
  • Not using a separate cover sheet for faxes.
  • Encourage employees to reuse paper for scrap paper.
  • Removing our name from junk mail lists.
  • Keeping our customer mailing lists current, without duplications.

• We will make recycling bins convenient for employees, placing them at desks or in kitchens and other common areas.
• We will reuse our holiday decorations whenever practicable.

Here’s how we will conserve & protect water

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will check for leaks by performing a water audit (if we have more than 100 employees) or by closely reviewing our water bills (if we have fewer than 100 employees).
• We will comply with the City Fats, Oils and Grease Regulation to the extent required by law and applicable to our business.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will clean all outdoor areas-like parking lots, sidewalks, alleys, and patios-with a broom and/or damp mop instead of a hose whenever practicable. If hosing is required, we will collect the runoff and dispose of it properly.
• We will keep receiving areas and dumpsters clear of litter, periodically sweeping the area and ensuring each waste receptacle has a tight-fitting lid.
• We will not hose off or wash cars, equipment, floor mats, or other items where runoff water flows into the storm drain.
• We will provide an outdoor receptacle for cigarette butt disposal.
• We will post signs encouraging water conservation.

Landscaping

Our business is responsible for the landscaping. We will do three of the following:

• As new plants are needed, we will incorporate into our landscape as appropriate native, drought-resistant plants.
• We will install a cistern or rain barrel to catch rainwater, and use it to water landscaped areas
• We will water only when necessary and reasonable.

Here’s how we will conserve energy

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will perform an energy audit, or use EnergyStars Portfolio to track our energy use.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will apply window film to reduce solar heat gain, or shade sun-exposed windows and walls during the warm season by using awnings, sunscreens, shade trees, or shrubbery.
• We will insulate water heaters, storage tanks, and hot water pipes.
• We will perform regular maintenance on our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems-or ask our landlord to do so.
• We will replace leaky, inefficient, or broken windows with double pane, low-E, energy-efficient windows.
• Other ways we will conserve energy.

Here’s how we will streamline transportation

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will encourage all employees to participate in “Two by 2012″-a commitment to commute to work twice a month using an alternative form of transportation (not a single-occupancy vehicle).
• We will maintain or install a bike rack in our facility, or provide employees with another secure location to store bikes.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will encourage employees to walk or bike to meetings, lunch, etc.
• We will maintain or install a bike rack for customers in or near our facility-in a highly visible, sheltered location.
• We will provide green driving tips on an employee website, bulletin board or in newsletters.
• We will provide employees with information about ridesharing and bus transportation on a bulletin board and/or in newsletters.
• We will encourage teleconferences, video conferences and web-meetings.