• Energy
  • • Energy Overview
      • Do a Home Energy Assessment
      • Give Your Home an Energy Tune-up
      • Go Solar
  • Conserve and
    Go Solar
• Food
  • • Food Overview
      • Grow A Food Garden
      • Eat Local Sustainable Food
      • Reduce Waste, Then Compost
  • Grow, Savor,
    Compost
• Waste
  • • Waste Overview
      • Reduce Single-Use Plastics
      • Reuse, Repurpose, Restore
      • Recycle Right
  • Reduce, Reuse,
    Recycle Right
• Water
  • • Water Overview
      • Save Water Indoors
      • Cut Water and Curb Pollution
      • Be A Catalyst for Clean Water
  • Indoors, Outdoors, and
    In Your Neighborhood
• Nature
  • • Nature Overview
      • Get Out and Explore
      • Keep Wildlife Safe
      • Support Backyard Wildlife
  • Explore and
    Protect

• Events
• FAQ

• Energy
  • • Energy Overview
      • Do a Home Energy Assessment
      • Give Your Home an Energy Tune-up
      • Go Solar
  • Conserve and
    Go Solar
• Food
  • • Food Overview
      • Grow A Food Garden
      • Eat Local Sustainable Food
      • Reduce Waste, Then Compost
  • Grow, Savor,
    Compost
• Waste
  • • Waste Overview
      • Reduce Single-Use Plastics
      • Reuse, Repurpose, Restore
      • Recycle Right
  • Reduce, Reuse,
    Recycle Right
• Water
  • • Water Overview
      • Save Water Indoors
      • Cut Water and Curb Pollution
      • Be A Catalyst for Clean Water
  • Indoors, Outdoors, and
    In Your Neighborhood
• Nature
  • • Nature Overview
      • Get Out and Explore
      • Keep Wildlife Safe
      • Support Backyard Wildlife
  • Explore and
    Protect

• Events
• FAQ

Here are 10 steps you can take to improve the sustainability of your business:

1. Energy Efficiency: Install programmable thermostats, Energy STAR appliances, and LED lighting throughout your facility and set a goal to reduce energy consumption by 15% within the next year. Consider investing in solar panels to generate renewable energy onsite.
2. Water Conservation: Upgrade to low-flow faucets and toilets in your bathrooms, install drought-resistant landscaping, and aim to reduce water usage by 20% within the next six months. Implement a rainwater harvesting system to collect water for landscaping purposes.
3. Waste Reduction and Recycling: Introduce a composting program for organic waste generated in your break rooms and cafeteria, with a goal to divert 50% of organic waste from landfills within the next year. Switch to using recycled paper products and provide reusable water bottles and utensils to employees. Set up a comprehensive recycling program for paper, plastic, glass, and other materials.
4. Sustainable Procurement: Source office supplies from suppliers that offer eco-friendly options such as recycled paper and non-toxic ink cartridges. Aim to have 50% of your office supplies sourced from sustainable vendors within the next six months.
5. Green Cleaning Practices: Switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products that are certified by organizations like Green Seal or EcoLogo. Set a goal to eliminate the use of chemical cleaners containing harmful substances within the next three months.
6. Transportation: Offer incentives such as subsidies for public transportation passes or bike-to-work programs. Install bike racks and designated carpool parking spaces to encourage alternative commuting methods.
7. Employee Engagement: Launch a sustainability awareness campaign among your staff, offering incentives for eco-friendly behaviors such as carpooling or using reusable containers for lunches. Organize monthly sustainability workshops or lunch-and-learn sessions to educate employees on green practices.
8. Community Engagement: Partner with local environmental organizations or schools to participate in community clean-up events or tree planting initiatives. Sponsor a local sustainability fair or workshop to engage with the broader community and raise awareness about environmental issues.
9. Continuous Improvement: Establish a sustainability committee within your organization to regularly assess and improve your green initiatives. Set quarterly goals to track progress and identify areas for further enhancement.
10. Certification Process: Review the Sarasota County Green Business Partner certification requirements and create a checklist to ensure compliance with all criteria. Set a target to complete the certification process and become officially recognized as a green business partner within the next six months.

By setting specific goals and implementing targeted initiatives, you can make meaningful strides towards sustainability while working towards becoming a Sarasota County Green Business Partner.

Learn more and get certified