Going Green Recognition Program - Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Going Green Recognition Program showcases the environmental efforts of your business and encourages green business practices while helping you save money.

To be considered for recognition, you must be a member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and demonstrate efforts of green business practices.

The program is FREE, and all members are encouraged to participate.

**Your business may also be recognized for a specific project or initiative that can be used as a model for other organizations. Please email Jessica Porter your project/initiative story to be considered for special recognition.**

To participate in the program, you must commit to basic green business practices.

There are seven Going Green categories in this program:
1. Energy Conservation
2. Involving Stakeholders (Employees, Customers, and/or Suppliers) in greening your business.
3. Purchasing
4. Recycling
5. Transportation
6. Waste Prevention
7. Water Conservation and Water Quality

Green business is good business! In addition to helping the environment, it can save your business money and is valued by your customers and employees.

We look forward to your participation in the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Going Green Recognition Program.

Questions? 770-345-0400
GoingGreen@CherokeeChamber.com

This recognition program is sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce with the intention of encouraging the community to implement green practices that conserve community resources while helping businesses thrive.

Please continue by filling out the recognition form below.

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Company

Company Contact

Email Address

Phone Number

Question Title

* 2. “I pledge to use environmentally friendly practices within my business.”

Yes

Question Title

* 3. To be recognized, your business must pledge to strive for continuous improvement in becoming green and commit to a minimum number of requirements based on employee count.

1 - 5 Employees Minimum Requirements: 4

6 - 20 Employees Minimum Requirements: 7

21 - 50 Employees Minimum Requirements: 10

51 - 100 Employees Minimum Requirements: 12

100+ Employees Minimum Requirements: 15

Question Title

* 4. Does your company conserve energy by completing any of the following?

Track energy usage and share data with employees

Replace incandescent bulbs and/or old T12 fluorescents with energy efficient lighting

Use motion sensors, timers or other lighting controls

Unplug chargers when not in use

Use “Energy Star” equipment

Update insulation or windows (including tinting)

Use programmable thermostat

Have an HVAC or refrigeration tune-up

Use renewable energy (i.e. solar)

Other (please specify):

Question Title

* 5. Does your company involve its stakeholders by completing any of the following?

Involve employees in developing your green business plan; get their input

Provide training for employees on implementing green
business practices

Inform suppliers and/or customers about your green business interests and efforts; solicit their suggestions

Encourage “green” practices by your customers

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. Does your company make green purchases?

Buy office paper with at least 30% recycled content

Purchase and use safer, more eco-friendly alternative(s) to a previously-used product for janitorial, pest control, and/or facility maintenance

Purchase biodegradable or compostable “to go” food containers

Purchase more materials in bulk

Use low-emission building materials when remodeling

Purchase used furniture, equipment or materials

Exchange or donate unwanted furniture, equipment, scrap materials, etc.

Purchase from other “green” vendors or service providers

Purchase more materials and supplies locally

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Does your company recycle?

Recycle paper, glass, metal, and plastic

Recycle boxes, pallets, pallet wrap, and wood debris

Recycle toner and ink jet cartridges

Recycle used cooking oil

Compost food and landscape waste

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Does your company encourage or participate in green transportation in any of the following ways?

Implement policies/practices to encourage employee walk- ing biking, carpooling, transit and/or telecommuting

Use teleconferences or web conferences rather than travel- ing for face-to- face meetings

Schedule regular tune-ups for business vehicles; check tire pressure regularly; check for “ground staining” regularly

Use hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. How does your company prevent waste?

Reduce copying: use electronic distribution to avoid un necessary document printing, and set copier and printer defaults to two-sided

Regularly update/purge your mailing list

Take steps to reduce the amount of junk mail received

Use marketing materials that require no envelope

Reuse package and shipping materials

Offer reusable shopping bags and/or discounts for those who use them

Replace individual containers with refillable dispensers

Use reusable rather than disposable products (dishes, towels, boxes, bags, containers)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. How does your company conserve water & water quality?

Use aerators and/or auto shut-off on faucets

Install commercial ultra low-flow toilets

Install pre-rinse spray nozzle in kitchen

Regularly check for and repair leaks in restrooms

Install low-water or no-water landscaping

Clean outdoor areas with a broom instead of hose

Use recovered wastewater

Rain barrel/rain garden

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. Do you practice or promote other Green habits that might not fit into the categories above?

Question Title

* 12. Do you believe your company could implement new "Going Green" practices within the next year?

Yes

Maybe

Thank you for pledging to Go Green and continuing to better your company's efforts in the future.

Each December you will be contacted and asked to update the Chamber on what’s new with your company’s Going Green efforts. Those businesses who increase their green habits, and resubmit their updated commitment form, will be considered for the Chamber’s "Green Business of the Year" Award.