Recently, Delicious Real Estate applied to be a Columbus Greenspot.  The process helped to spell out a plan, template going forward and office policy for energy conservation on top of what we already do.

Here’s how we will inform and engage

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• By January 15 of each year, we will record and submit the green initiatives we have begun or continued as a result of being part of GreenSpot.
• We will create and display an environmental policy or mission statement.
• We will measure our compliance with local, federal, health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will challenge a neighboring business to become a GreenSpot by referring them to the GreenSpot website.
• We will display our GreenSpot decal in a window or some other prominent place.
• We will keep employees informed about our green efforts by including updates in newsletters and bulletins.
• We will openly encourage employees to be responsible environmental stewards in their personal lives.
• We will post a list of the requirements for becoming a GreenSpot business where both customers and employees can see it.
• We will set aside time at each staff meeting to talk about our green efforts.

Here’s how we will reduce, reuse, and recycle

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will buy office and other supplies made with recycled materials.
• We will establish a business-wide recycling program that includes-at a minimum-glass, aluminum, plastic bottles, steel, and paper.
• We will perform a waste audit of our business.
• We will track our monthly waste.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will buy products in returnable, reusable, or recyclable containers.
• We will communicate electronically-instead of on paper-whenever possible.
• We will donate unwanted furniture, supplies, scrap materials, linens, phones, etc.
• We will email or post staff memos and schedules in a central place instead of printing copies for each employee.
• We will expand our recycling program to include additional materials, such as plastic film, refrigerants, re-use of water, hangers, etc. Additional materials we will include in our recycling program are…
• We will provide employees and guests reusable dishware instead of disposable.
• We will purchase condiments (milk, sugar, cream, etc.) and supplies (soap, toiler paper, etc.) in bulk.
• We will purchase or obtain used office furniture.
• We will purchase reusable rather than disposable office supplies, such as refillable pens and erasable white boards and wall calendars.
• We will recycle electronics that no longer work, or are no longer useful.
• We will recycle toner and inkjet printer cartridges.
• We will reduce our paper use by:
  • Not making unnecessary copies, and double-siding the copies we do make.
  • Not using a separate cover sheet for faxes.
  • Reusing paper for scrap paper.
  • Removing our name from junk mail lists.
  • Keeping our customer mailing lists current, without duplications.
• We will replace chlorine-bleached white paper napkins and towels with one of the following alternatives:
  • Recycled content, non-chlorine-bleached paper towels
  • Reusable cloth towels and dispensers suitable for washrooms
  • Reusable cloth towels cleaned by a linen service
  • Energy-efficient air dryers
• We will reuse packaging (bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, polystyrene peanuts), or donate them to a local shipping company.
• When creating mailings, we will design them so they do not require an envelope.
• We will make recycling bins convenient for employees, placing them at desks and in the kitchen.
• We will reuse our holiday decorations.
• We will use rechargeable batteries or solar power for calculators.

Here’s how we will conserve & protect water

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• If applicable, we will fully comply with the City’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan requirements.
• We will check for leaks by performing a water audit (if we have more than 100 employees) or by closely reviewing our water bills (if we have fewer than 100 employees).
• We will fully comply with the City’s Fats, Oils, and Grease Regulation.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will clean all outdoor areas-like parking lots, sidewalks, alleys, and patios-with a broom and/or damp mop instead of a hose. If hosing is required, we will collect the runoff and dispose of it as recommended by the City of Columbus
• We will keep receiving areas and dumpsters clear of litter by periodically sweeping the area, and ensuring each waste receptacle has a tight-fitting lid.
• We will encourage our employees to report water leaks.
• We will provide our employees with conservation tips for the office and their homes.
• We will use utilize car washing facilities that recycle the water, and encourage our employees to do the same.

Here’s how we will conserve energy

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will perform an energy audit, or use EnergyStar’s Portfolio to track our energy use.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will apply window film to reduce solar heat gain, or shade sun-exposed windows and walls during the warm season by using awnings, sunscreens, shade trees, or shrubbery.
• We will convert to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and/or upgrade existing fluorescent tube lighting with T-8 or T-5 lamps with electronic ballasts. We will begin with five light fixtures-or 10% of our lights (whichever is greater)-and commit to changing the rest in the next two years.
• We will implement a facility-wide policy of turning off equipment and lights when not in use.
• We will perform regular maintenance on our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems-or ask our landlord to do so.
• When replacing equipment and appliances, we will ensure they are EnergyStar rated and/or equipped with energy-saving features.

Here’s how we will streamline transportation

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will encourage all employees to participate in “Two by 2012″-a commitment to commute to work twice a month using an alternative form of transportation (not a single-occupancy vehicle).
• We will install a bike rack in our facility, or provide employees with another secure location to store bikes.

If applicable, we will make our fleet more efficient:

• We do not have a fleet of 10 or more vehicles, and transportation is not a major part of our business.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• If we reimburse employees for driving, we will also reimburse them for biking.
• We will encourage employees to walk or bike to meetings, lunch, etc.
• We will provide green driving tips on an employee bulletin board or in newsletters.
• We will provide employees with information about ridesharing and bus transportation on a bulletin board and/or in newsletters.
• We will encourage teleconferences and web-meetings

We’re committed to becoming a GreenSpot.