Green Business Application – Question Preview

The questions below are provided so businesses can review and prepare before beginning the Green Business application. You are not expected to meet every criterion. Applicants will be asked to select applicable items and may provide short written responses.

Green Business Practices

Please indicate which statements apply to your business:

  • Our business has a publicly published written policy or mission statement that incorporates sustainability.
  • Our business participates in a program to increase awareness of locally owned businesses in Thurston County.
  • Our business refers clients to Thurston Green Businesses.
  • Our business has completed projects or developed policies within the past year to reduce our environmental footprint. This may include green business practices related to energy efficiency, transportation and commute trip reduction, waste reduction and recycling, composting, water conservation, sustainable product life-cycle, and social performance indicators.
  • Our business calculates its carbon footprint and discusses it with employees.
  • Our business uses a third-party tool to measure, track, and publicly disclose environmental and social impacts.
    • Examples include: CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures), and B Corp (Benefit Corporation) standards.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful in its green business practices?
  • What have been your biggest challenges?

Energy Efficiency Designation

  • Our business regularly reviews energy bills and has made changes to reduce energy consumption and/or demand.
  • Our business has created and implemented an energy conservation policy.
  • Our business has accessed energy efficiency programs and/or services from Puget Sound Energy and/or other energy service providers.
  • Our business has installed energy-efficient lighting.
    • If you are a Puget Sound Energy customer, you may be eligible for rebates to help pay for lighting upgrades. If not, contact your energy provider to inquire about available rebates.
  • Our business has installed energy-efficient windows, equipment, or appliances.
    • Puget Sound Energy customers may qualify for rebates. Non-PSE customers should contact their energy provider for opportunities.
  • Our business has installed efficient electric HVAC systems, such as heat pumps, for space conditioning.
  • Our business reduces electricity use through measures such as motion-sensor lighting, smart thermostats, or power monitoring systems.
  • To reduce our carbon footprint, our business has enrolled in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power or Green Direct program.
  • To reduce our carbon footprint, our business has enrolled in a demand-response program with Puget Sound Energy.
  • Our business generates a portion of its electricity on-site using solar photovoltaics, wind, fuel cells, or other renewable energy systems.
  • Our business invests in or supports Community Solar programs such as Olympia Community Solar and/or Puget Sound Energy’s Community Solar program.

Open-ended response:

  • What have been your biggest successes in energy efficiency?
  • What challenges have you encountered?
  • Are you interested in learning more about energy efficiency opportunities? If so, please specify.

Transportation & Commute Trip Reduction Designation

  • Our business transportation fleet includes electric and/or hybrid vehicles.
  • Ten percent or more of our employees use a commute alternative at least one day per week.
    • Commute alternatives include carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, cycling, walking, telecommuting, or compressed work schedules.
    • Resources include Rideshare Online and Intercity Transit’s Vanpool Program, System Map, and Trip Planner.
  • Our business subsidizes employee bus or vanpool fares and/or provides incentives for alternative commuting.
    • Examples include partial or full payment of monthly bus passes or vanpool fares.
  • Our business allows telecommuting, compressed schedules, and/or flexible work schedules to support alternative commuting options.
  • Our business provides preferential parking for carpools, vanpools, and electric vehicles and provides bicycle racks for employees.
  • Our business provides electric vehicle charging stations for staff.
  • Our business encourages employees to participate in the Thurston Bicycle Community Challenge and/or Week Without Driving.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful in encouraging alternative transportation and reducing commute impacts?
  • What challenges have you faced?

Waste Reduction, Recycling & Composting

  • Our business recycles. (Applicants will be asked to select materials recycled.)
  • Our business displays the most up-to-date local recycling guide for staff and/or customers.
  • Our business diverts food waste through curbside organics collection, drop-off sites, on-site composting, and/or food donation.
  • Our business diverts yard waste through curbside collection, drop-off sites, on-site composting, or landscaping services.
  • Our business has completed a waste assessment within the past three years to identify opportunities to reduce landfill waste.
  • Our business has an office green team or waste prevention team.
  • Our business actively seeks opportunities to prevent and reduce waste.
  • Our business reuses and/or repairs equipment and materials when possible.
  • Our business donates or sells equipment and supplies instead of sending them to the landfill.
  • Our business purchases items made from recycled content.
  • Our business provides incentives for reusable cups, containers, or other items.
  • Our business uses permanent dishware instead of disposable options.
  • Our business has reduced or eliminated single-use plastics.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful in waste reduction and recycling?
  • What challenges have you encountered?

Water Conservation & Pollution Prevention

  • Our business regularly reviews water bills to identify leaks or unusual usage and takes prompt corrective action.
  • Company vehicles are washed only at car wash facilities that recycle water.
  • Our business has replaced or retrofitted indoor appliances or equipment to conserve water.
  • Our business has reduced outdoor water use through efficient irrigation or landscaping.
    • Examples include water-efficient landscaping, modern irrigation systems, or irrigation assessments from a water utility or landscape professional.
  • Our business prevents stormwater pollution by keeping garbage, recycling, oil, and organics container lids closed.
  • Our business maintains a spill kit and spill response plan and trains staff to quickly address leaks or spills.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful in water conservation and pollution prevention?
  • What challenges have you faced?

Buying and Selling Green

  • Our business gives preferential procurement to locally owned vendors.
  • Our business offers products or services that help customers reduce their environmental footprint.
  • When sourcing raw materials or ingredients, our business prioritizes suppliers that use sustainable practices.
  • Our business works to reduce environmental impacts related to packaging, storage, and delivery.
  • Our products improve environmental sustainability or resilience by promoting efficient resource use or sustainable behaviors.
  • Our business participates in extended producer responsibility.
  • Our business has divested investments or banking from fossil fuel institutions and uses local credit unions or community banks.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful in buying and selling green?
  • What challenges have you encountered?

Social Performance Indicators

  • Our business pays at least the current living wage, as calculated by the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
  • Our business ensures equitable pay across genders for comparable roles and experience levels.
  • Our business supports healthy work-life balance for employees.
  • Our business offers employee volunteer opportunities for humanitarian or social causes.
  • Our business trains employees on occupational health and safety.

Open-ended response:

  • Where has your business been most successful related to social performance?
  • What challenges have you encountered?

This preview is provided to support applicant preparation and transparency prior to beginning the formal application.