Green Business Practices

Organize

• Gather organization members to set sustainability priorities
• Register for California Green Business Network certification
• Begin benchmarking energy and water use through EPA’s Portfolio Manager

Energy

• Perform an energy audit
  • Contact your SDG&E representative for a free energy audit
• Adjust your comfort level
  • Shifting your thermostat up a few degrees warmer on hot days and a few degrees cooler on cold days will reduce energy use and save $
• Use Energy Star rated appliances and electronic equipment when feasible
• Install occupancy sensors
• Retrofit all lighting with LED equivalents - SDG&E programs offer rebates & incentives
• Use natural daylight whenever possible to reduce electric lighting use
• Turn off any electrical equipment when not in use
• Perform regular preventative maintenance on your air conditioning and other mechanical systems

Water

• Perform a water audit of your business
  • Helps to understand water use
  • Helps identify water leaks
  • Helps identify fixtures that can be upgraded such as:
    • Low-flow toilets and urinals
    • Low-flow aerators and shower heads
    • Waterless urinals
• Promote water conservation habits in your business
  • Add signage to promote water-wise habits
• Plant native and drought tolerant landscaping
  • Replace grass & water intensive landscaping

Waste

• Perform a waste audit for your business
  • Helps identify waste diversion opportunities
• Promote waste diversion in your business
  • Educate employees about the need to divert waste from the landfill
  • Create/improve recycling and composting programs, learn more here
• Implement sustainable purchasing plan
  • Consume products that can be easily reused or recycled