Thank you for engaging in sustainable practices in the operation of your business. Please fill out the form below by clicking in the box to the left of the measures with which you are currently complying. Track the total points accumulated for your application at the bottom right of the page. In each category, businesses are required to meet ALL of the mandatory criteria in order to achieve any level of designation.

If you feel that any of the mandatory criteria are not applicable to your business, please include the number of the criteria and a brief explanation in the fields provided. We will review them upon audit.

A company can also attain innovation credits in each category. Innovation credits refer to anything not covered by the set criteria that could be considered green and you have instituted into the operation of your business. We will review and award points accordingly.

Within a few days of submittal, you will receive an email from the administrator of the program notifying you of receipt of your application.

Business Name (required)

Number of Employees

1-4 5-9 10-49 50-99 100+

Contact Name

Your Email (required)

Total points possible:
(including innovation credits)

*Total mandatory points:

Total non-mandatory points:

134


49

85

DESIGNATION CATEGORIES:

Green-Friendly designation:

Green designation:

Truly Sustainable designation:

49 - 79

80 - 109

110 - 134

Category - GENERAL

 

Mandatory Measures

(6 total possible points)

Points

1. Train employees regularly (twice per year mandatory) about the importance of water conservation and energy conservation. Be able to provide documentation for how often they are trained.

1pt

2. Institute an educational component in your building for employees and guests to be made aware of what your "green" efforts are. This can be done through marketing materials and company newsletters.

1pt

3. Provide training to employees on efficient copying practices, at time of orientation and at least biannually. (e.g. - size reduction features on copier and double-sided)

1pt

4. Educate staff through meetings, performance appraisals, employee reference material, and/or internal newsletters.

1pt

5. Engage in some form of community service project (non-monetary) at least once per year. Must be actively endorsed by company.

1pt

6. Company sponsored events have elements of sustainability.

1pt

 

Explanation of any mandatory criteria not applicable to your business:

 

 

Non-Mandatory Measures

(11 total possible points)

Points

 

1. Green your marketing department (if applicable): move away from resource intensive marketing techniques, and share eco-awareness with stakeholder groups.

 

Choose from options below:

A. No free giveaways of trinkets or giveaways are made from sustainable or recycled products.

1pt

B. Printed materials are produced from recycled or FSC-certified paper using soy/vegetable based inks.

1pt

C. A portion of marketing is done through online or electronic means.

1pt

2. Office is located in a LEED certified building

5pt

3. Company gives back to the community by donating 1% of man hours, income, and/or product to environmentally-friendly groups and/or non-profit organizations. (Documentation must be provided)

3pt

 

Unique Innovation Credits to be considered:

 

Category - GENERAL - Total Points:

Category - RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION

 

Mandatory Measures

(12 total possible points)

Points

1. Make two sided printing and copying standard practice in your business (set copier to default to duplex printing or manually feed to duplex).

2pt

2. Set up an ongoing system to recycle and make it easy for employees to recycle by placing clearly marked collection bins in convenient locations.

2pt

3. Recycle or reuse all of the following fibers; cardboard (corrugated cardboard boxes); mixed paper (junk mail, scrap and colored paper); newspapers; and office paper.

2pt

4. Recycle food and beverage containers (all glass, plastic and aluminum).

2pt

5. All office paper products should be 30-100% post consumer waste recycled or FSC-certified products.

2pt

6. Donate or exchange unwanted but usable items to schools, churches, hospitals, libraries, nonprofits, museums, teacher resource organizations, etc. This can include upgrades of office equipment, interior finishes and office collections.

2pt

 

Explanation of any mandatory criteria not applicable to your business:

 

 

Non-Mandatory Measures

(20 Total Possible points)

Points

1. Provide a system where biodegradable food waste gets donated to local farmers or community farming/gardening for composting; or provide onsite composting for employees to use in their own garden.

2pt

2. Collection of toxic materials to divert from landfills (batteries,CFLs, computers/CPUs, cell phones and other electronics) and institute a safe way to dispose of the items.

2pt

3. Use electronic files for draft documents (Google Docs and other applications) to edit and draft documents before final printing.

1pt

4. Use electronic methods to send documents instead of traditional faxing methods.

1pt

5. Convert to a paperless office for accounting and general administrative.

3pt

6. Use recycled or remanufactured laser and copier toner cartridges.

1pt

7. Use recycled bathroom tissue.

1pt

8. Do not use paper towels.

1pt

9. Replace all bottled water with filters on taps (non reverse osmosis filters).

2pt

10. Make all office forms electronic and have them submitted and saved electronically.

2pt

11. Replace all plastic tableware, cups, and plates with washable items or require staff to bring their own; or option to replace all non-recyclable materials with post-consumer biodegradable products.

2pt

12. For shipping items, use shredded paper or cellulose for packaging needs instead of purchasing Styrofoam pellets, bubble wrap and other packing materials. Reuse packing items that are received from someone else or send back the items to the manufacturer.

2pt

 

Unique Innovation Credits to be considered:

 

Category - RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION - Total Points:

Category - ENERGY CONSERVATION

 

Mandatory Measures

(15 total possible points)

Points

1. Perform regular maintenance on your HVAC and refrigeration systems and provide documentation (at least once per year).

1pt

2. Institute a written policy that inspects permanent filters every three months and clean permanent filters, when necessary.

1pt

3. Institute a written policy that checks the entire system for coolant leaks, air leaks, clogs, and obstructions of air intake and vents monthly.

1pt

4. Institute a written policy that keeps the condenser coils free of dust, and evaporator coils free of excessive frost.

1pt

5. When replacing electrical equipment, do so with Energy Star rated equipment.

2pt

6. Use hardware programs in computer systems that automatically go into energy saving mode for monitors after, at most, 15 minutes; computers after, at most, 30 minutes; and printers, fax machines, and copiers after, at most, 10 minutes.

2pt

7. Replace non-dimming incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, LED lighting, or other energy-efficient options when lights burn out.

2pt

8. Set thermostats at 76 degrees for cooling and 68 degrees for heating; use Energy Star programmable thermostats to turn systems down after hours.

2pt

9. Institute a formal written policy to turn off equipment when not in use including turning off lights when leaving and posting reminders.

1pt

10. Conduct an annual energy audit, measure and post energy savings by tracking your power bill, and measure your cost savings.

2pt

 

Explanation of any mandatory criteria not applicable to your business:

 

 

Non-Mandatory Measures

(23 total possible point)

Points

1. When replacing windows, do so with energy efficient windows.

2pt

2. Install window film on all windows.

2pt

3. Change all lighting in rooms that are not used regularly to motion sensor lighting, and exterior night lighting to the same.

2pt

 

4. Installation of alternative energy systems for hot water and other electrical needs. Points awarded for each of the systems used below:

Solar (At least 5% of total electricity demand)

3pt

Geothermal (at least 5% of total electricity demand)

3pt

Green Power or e-power credits purchased from power company (at least 10% of total electricity usage)

3pt

5. When repainting roofing, do so with light colored paint and/or reflective paint, use requirements based on reflectivity of SRI 78 (low sloped roof) or 29 (steep sloped roof)

2pt

6. Install a green roof.

5pt

7. Ensure that tree canopies with at least 50% coverage are maintained to assist in providing shade to the building.

1pt

 

Unique Innovation Credits to consider:

 

Category - ENERGY CONSERVATION - Total Points:

Category - WATER CONSERVATION

 

Mandatory Measures

(11 Total Possible Points)

Points

1. Institute a formal policy to review the monthly water bill for indication of leaks, spikes or other problems.

1pt

2. When replacing pre-1992 toilets and urinals, do so with 1.6 gpf toilets. Replace toilets with greater than 3.5 gpf with high efficiency toilets that have less than 1.2 gpf or those with dual flush capabilities.

3pt

3. Install aerators and/or low flow faucets to sinks.

2pt

4. Monitor irrigation sprinklers monthly to make sure there are no issues with water runoff, over watering and dry spots and make necessary adjustments. Extra points can be earned if irrigation system has the following: rainwater monitor, moisture sensor or irrigation system does not use potable water (please indicate in Innovation Credits to consider below)

1pt

5. Post signs in restrooms and kitchen areas promoting water conservation techniques.

1pt

6. Provide training and documentation of training to staff about the importance of water conservation.

1pt

7. Use a broom, water broom or low-volume pressure washer, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks, driveways, etc.

1pt

8. Implement a window cleaning schedule of "as needed" instead of periodic.

1pt

 

Explanation of any mandatory criteria not applicable to your business:

 

 

Non-Mandatory Measures

(8 Total Possible Points)

Points

1. Install rainwater catching systems to be utilized for gray water operations of landscaping or toileting.

3pt

 

2. Be water efficient in the landscaping (choose either A or B)

A. Plant Florida native or Florida-friendly landscaping with micro irrigation needed.

2pt

B. Plant drought tolerant plants, flora and other plants with no irrigation needed.

3pt

3. Measure water use footprint by doing an initial assessment and follow up annually to track progress. Make a plan for improvement which will need to be raised each year it is met.

1pt

4. Install automatic turn-off faucets (infrared, spring-loaded, etc.).

1pt

 

Unique Innovation Credits to consider:

 

Category - WATER CONSERVATION - Total Points:

Category - POLLUTION REDUCTION

 

Mandatory Measures

(6 Total Possible Points)

Points

1. Assess the facility to identify all hazardous materials. If you contract these services, please have the provider supply you with a list of any hazardous materials and make a plan for their safe elimination from your office.

1pt

2. Use green cleaning practices with no or low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). This should also include window cleaning and other exterior cleaning. Make sure to properly dispose of former cleaners and expired materials. Green cleaning products should be "Green Seal" certified.

1pt

3. Keep dumpsters covered when not in use.

1pt

4. Keep receiving, parking, landscaping, and dumpster areas clean and free from litter, oil drips, and debris.

1pt

5. Use low or no VOCs and recycled paints during renovations and repainting projects.

1pt

6. Purchase products and supplies from local businesses within 500 miles radius (minimum standard).

1pt

 

Explanation of any mandatory criteria not applicable to your business:

 

 

Non-Mandatory

(22 Total Possible Points)

Points

1. Offer telecommuting opportunities and/or flexible schedules so workers can avoid heavy traffic commutes.

2pt

2. Use only environmentally friendly pest management procedures and products.

2pt

3. Patronize services close to your business and encourage employees to do the same.

2pt

4. Promotional materials printed with low VOC and/or soy or vegetable based inks.

2pt

5. Measure carbon footprint by conducting an initial assessment and following up annually to track progress. Make a plan for improvement that will then need to be raised each year it is met.

3pt

6. Use rechargeable batteries when needed or use appliances that don't require batteries if possible.

1pt

7. Provide a "ride-share" or carpool program for employees with benefits (e.g. - preferred parking).

2pt

8. Regularly check and clean storm drain openings on your property (at least once per quarter).

1pt

9. Promote cycling to work by installing showers and a secure bike rack.

1pt

10. Provide a reimbursement or incentive program for employees who use public transportation or bike to work (for example, subsidize the cost of taking public transportation).

1pt

11. Converting company cars to alternative fuel vehicles (options include hybrid, electric and bio-diesel).

2pt

 

12. Purchase products and supplies from local businesses (choose one).

A. within 100 mile radius

2pt

B. within 10 miles of Tampa city limits.

3pt

 

Unique Innovation Credits to consider:

 

Category - POLLUTION REDUCTION - Total Points:

 

Additional Comments/Other Innovation Credits to consider:

 

Please check the box indicating that you understand, by completing and submitting the City of Tampa/Sustany Foundation Green Business Designation application, it is a good faith application and that your business operations, in how they relate to this program and the above criteria, can be audited at any time by the administrators of the program. You will be contacted after submitting your application to arrange a time for an auditor to visit your offices. The program is meant to reward and recognize businesses that are engaging in sustainable practices in the city of Tampa.

TRACK YOUR POINTS

Total Points Accumulated: