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
To learn more about Green Business Resources, click here!