Eco-Profiles: Because Saying You've Gone Green Isn't Enough

Minnesota Association of School Administrators St. Paul, MN, United States

Gives Locally - Does your organization donate and/or volunteer for environmental and/or humanitarian organizations within your local community and beyond?

ECO-SOCIAL BENEFITS OF GIVING: The influence of a businsses good efforts through monetary, goods or time donations generates a win for the benefactor and a win for the entire cause due to the exposure & awareness that company can generate for the cause ... above and beyond the gift(s) given.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF GIVING: Studies indicate that a company's social and eco-reputations positively influence their employee retention, market share, reputation in the community and consumer loyalty ... all of which directly related to reduced expenses, more dependable earnings and increase revenues.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to creating the best public education system possible for children within our state. We are currently exploring relationships with "Renewable Choice Energy" to purchase carbon offsets for our association travel. This helps to reduce the environmental impact with renewable energy and other clean technology solutions.

Recycles - Does your organization recycle paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, batteries, electronics and fluorescent lights throughout the company, including public areas?

NATIONAL AUTHORITY RECOMMENDING THIS ACTION:

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - April 2008) less than 35% of households and even fewer businesses recycle (glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics). When that number reaches 75%, it will be the equivalent of removing 33 million cars from the roadways in the United States not to mention helping preserve our water, trees, soil and other limited natural resources. Nearly every person, family and business can recycle. As the demand for recycling and recycled products grows, so will the availability of service and the technology for its processes and purposes. Recycling is one of the most important and visible actions we can do for the environment. Eco-Profiles.com promotes the continuous life-cycle of recycling ... creating the demand for recycling and the demand for recycled products.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING: Recycling can reduce the frequency and the volume of garbage hauling therefore reducing the costs, and also reducing the taxes associated with garbage. Recycling incurs no taxes and the costs of both recycling and hauling combined is often measurably less than garbage services without recycling. National and global studies (Gallup, Good Purpose, Tandberg) reveal more than 85% of consumers state they will switch companies or products to support ones that are more environmentally and socially responsible, if given the opportunity. Green is a marketshare issue. Recycling is a great way to publicly & visually demonstrate that your company cares. Consider branding the recycling bins with your company's logo as a public message ... and get UPonGREEN. Lastly but not least, Cone Research and others (2007), found that 92% of employees surveyed have an increased positive image of the company they work for when it practices environmentally and socially responsible initiatives such as recycling. Improved employee relations has been found to decrease employee turnover. Another bottom-line measurement.

RECYCLING CASE STUDY: UPonGREEN is working with a Waste Reduction Agency which has reduced many small and large business's waste expenses in excess of 35% each month. Additionally for food related industries, there are grease/oil, organic and food waste recycling service providers that will sometimes pay for a company's food related waste or provide additional hauling savings. Once a company has made the decision to recycle, they often have a greater awareness of their overall waste stream and find opportunities to reduce over-usage and unnecessary waste, which in turn reduces front-end expenses.

Yes, we use Walter's Sanitation and Recycling Services

Lighting - Does your organization use high-efficiency lighting approved by Energy Star such as, T8s, T5s, LEDs, CFLs (>75%)?

NATIONAL AUTHORITY RECOMMENDING THIS ACTION:

CLICK HERE TO CALCULATE THE SAVINGS FROM CHANGING YOUR LIGHTBULBS CALCULATE

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR PREFERRED LIGHTING: According to ENERGY STAR, energy efficient fluorescents reduce CO2 emissions up to 75% compared to incandescent lighting. LED lighting can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 95%. Although this is a statistic relating to households, it provides a good visualization of the impact from changing one bulb: If each household changed one incandescent lightbulb to compact fluorescent, it would be the equivalent of removing 1 million cars off the road. LED lighting can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 90%.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR PREFERRED LIGHTING: ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs; last up to 10 times longer; saves about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime; produces about 75 percent less heat, making them safer to operate as well as decreases energy costs associated with cooling. High efficiency light bulbs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, allowing them to fit almost any fixture, both for indoor and outdoor use.

A small business with less than 1,000 square feet can save upwards of $2,000 in energy costs when they improve their lighting. Larger corporations are saving upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars by making lighting improvements. Many states and energy companies are offering rebates and refunds for businesses that are installing high-efficiency lighting. These rebates and refunds will not be available forever so make sure you take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist.

PROPERLY DISPOSING OF FLUORESCENTS Please click on the ENERGY STAR logo in the RESOURCES button or contact Service Lighting or any reputable lighting company to learn about proper disposal and recycling of fluorescents. Consider starting with ENERGY STAR's informative website to learn more about this subject and to learn about the risks associated with mercury.

We are currently using T8s and Compact Fluorescent for all lighting

Energy Reduction - Does your organization incorporate specific practices and equipment to reduce energy usage and waste, e.g. grocery store installs doors on all refrigeration areas, retailers install sky lights to reduce daytime electric lighting, office complex paints rooftop white to reduce the demand for air-conditioning usage, etc

Office Paper - Does your organization use post-consumer recycled paper throughout all office printers, fax machines & copiers?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF CHOOSING POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS: On average it requires 60% less energy to produce paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials. Producing a ton of virgin paper requires 20 trees and 7,000 more gallons of water than a ton of 100% recycled paper. Additionally, the greater demand for Post Consumer Recycled Paper, the greater need and demand for recycling the paper. UPonGREEN and eco-profiles.com promotes the lifecycle of recycling and choosing recycled products.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF CHOOSING POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS: Work toward ‘paperless’ to offset the sometimes higher costs of post consumer recycled paper and to also reduce the expense of toners, ink, equipment, repairs, and disposal. When possible, double-side the paper used in your printers, copy and fax machines and look for equipment that provides that feature automatically.

Yes, 50% CWR in our paper/

Temperature - Does your organization manage temperature with an efficient programmable thermostat, adjust it to 68 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer, and reduce it to the greatest energy efficient setting possible during non-labor hours?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS: Less need for heating and air conditioning during non-occupancy times can have a dramatic measurable impact on the environment while having no negative impact on your operations. And this simple change doesn't required additional effort from your employees. Set properly each season, ENERGY STAR rated programmable thermostats are effortless environment savers.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS: Installing programmable thermostats is one of the simplest ways of reducing your business's expenses and it requires minimal expense for the programmable unit. Managing your heating and air conditioning with programmable ENERGY STAR rated thermostats/systems and setting your temperature for greatest energy efficiency (without negatively impacting the productivity of your workforce) can save your company 15% or more in overall energy costs. Also, consider setting your thermostats to even greater efficient settings over weekends and extended non-operating hours. Click here to learn which are the most energy efficient settings for your type of business or geographical area.

We have updated our building with energy efficient programmable thermostats.

Transportation - Does your organization promote the use of and/or offer incentives for employees and visitors to use low or no CO2 transportation?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF NON-MOTORIZED OR LOW CO2 TRANSPORTATION: The Department of Health, Education and Welfare has estimated that automobiles account for approximately 48% of the carbon monoxide, 32% of the nitrogen oxides, and 59% of the hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. None of which are good for our environment or our health. A bus with as few as seven passengers is more fuel efficient than the average automobile used for commuting. The fuel efficiency of a fully-occupied bus is six times greater than that of the average commuter's automobile, while the fuel efficiency of a fully-occupied rail car is fifteen times greater than that of the average commuter's automobile. A single person who commutes via a transit system instead of driving alone will save 200 gallons of gasoline per year. A 10% nationwide increase in transit ridership would save 135 million gallons of gasoline per year. This fuel efficiency results in personal savings and in a cleaner environment for all.

A car occupied by one person produces on average 2.06 grams/passenger-mile (g/pm) of nitrogen oxides for work trips. A fully occupied transit bus on the other hand, produces approximately 1.54 g/pm, while a fully occupied rail transit system produces only .47 g/pm for the same distance. Similarly, the car occupied by one person produces 15.06 g/pm of carbon monoxide and 2.09 g/pm of hydrocarbons. The bus produces 3.05 g/pm and .2 g/pm of the same pollutants, respectively. From an environmental point of view, trains and electric powered mass-transit is the best form of motorized transportation. While of course, walking and biking are the ultimate forms of transportation for our health and our environment.

Choosing fuel efficient cars ... If each car in the U.S. had improved mileage by 2.7 mpg, we would eliminate our dependency entirely from Persian Gulf oil.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF NON-MOTORIZED OR LOW CO2 TRANSPORTATION: Studies indicate that the amount of income each employee earns is not the most important reason for employee loyalty. Job statisifaction and loyalty comes from the overall environment of the company, care for employees welfare, benefits and the overall reputation of the company. Companies with an eco-purpose, such as offering incentives for carpooling or mass transportation, can attract high quality, loyal employees, reducing the expenses associated with high turn-over rates. Also transportation incentives help keep employees on-time. In addition, offering incentives for employees to bike or walk to work encourages healthier lifestyle choices and consequently healthier employees; which can help keep a company's expenses related to production losses due to illness down. There are often financial incentives available to companies and employees from health insurance providers who recognize the importance of regular exercise.

INCENTIVES FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES AND/OR CUSTOMERS CAN INCLUDE simple things such as providing information to employees about biking safety, or offering secured well-lit bike parking stations, having bike helmet give aways, or incentives with a local car dealer who offers Hybrids or high-mpg vehicles, providing bus or train-pass drawings or discounts, or front door carpool parking. Or the incentive can be more involved, such as providing locker rooms and shower rooms for non-CO2 commuting employees. Telecommuting is also a great way to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions and often reduces traffic/commuting related stress for the employees.

Hibernate Computers - Does your organization hibernate the computer monitors after 5 minutes without use and shut the computers down completely during non-work hours (with the exception of POS and/or unique computer systems that cannot or should not hibernate or shut down)?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF HIBERNATING/SHUTTING DOWN COMPUTERS: 500 computers set to hibernate after 5 min during production times and shut down completely during non-working hours will prevent 72.5 tonnes of CO2 from emitting. (It takes 51,000 adult trees to offset 72.5 tonnes of CO2 ).

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF HIBERNATING/SHUTTING DOWN COMPUTERS: The above scenario would reduce the business's energy bill $24,000/yr ($.10/kwh).

Unwanted Mail - Has your organization removed their name from unwanted: mail, mailing lists, phone book distribution and unwanted catalogs?

THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF REDUCING/ELIMINATING UNWANTED BULK MAIL: More than 100 million trees worth of bulk mail is received each year. That’s the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months. And most is never opened or looked at.

THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF REDUCING/ELIMINATING UNWANTED BULK MAIL: The services that help your company remove its name from unwanted mailing lists can help save your company expense involved in time spent handling or opening the unwanted mail, expenses related to disposal or recycling the mailings (heavy catalogs especially).

IF DIRECT MAILINGS ARE PART OF YOUR BUSINESS'S MARKETING, CONSIDER THIS: There are new services evolving that help your company more precisely target audiences who are interested in your offerings, helping your company reduce the enormous expense of flock-shoot marketing. These companies can help you reduce your printing, handling, mailing, and postage fees associated with direct mail by making sure that your mailings are "bullseyes", therefore helping your company earn a higher rate of response and return on its mailings. But also consider more effective forms of electronic marketing ... give your customers an incentive to recieve your promotions & announcements by email! It is the future ... best to learn how to capture the benefits from electronic marketing now. The next generation of your customers are 'living' online.

Conserves Water - Does your organization maintain plumbing to prevent leaks, drips and overall water waste? When replacements are necessary, do you install water conserving low-flow/high-pressure fixtures?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING PLUMBING & CHOOSING EFFICIENT FIXTURES: One dripping faucet can waste 2,000 gallons a year. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that at least 36 of the 50 states will experience local, regional or statewide water shortage by 2013. Each day the average American spends 100 to 176 gallons of water. In many countries people survive on less than 5 gallons per day. Look for all of the ways your business can conserve this precious natural resource.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING PLUMBING & CHOOSING EFFICIENT FIXTURES: Maintaining plumbing to prevent drips, leaks and running toilets can help a company save the expense of: wasted water, increasingly problematic plumbing and related issues such as damaged sheet rock, structural decay, tile, mold, health issues... Additionally, poor plumbing sends a negative message to your employees and customers which can result in decreased respect for other areas of your business and/or lower revenues. Consider installing low flow/high pressure fixtures to conserve the water and your dollars even more. The rate of return is generally quick and worth the investment Don't forget to recycle old plumbing fixtures and hardware. Look for opportunities throughout your business to be more water-wise. You'll be amazed at the opportunities to save water and your financial resources. Lastly, pay attention to what your business puts down the drain.

Bottled Water - If you offer plastic bottled water in your organization, do you recycle the bottles? Or does your organization offer and promote drinking water for employees and guests that is either packaged in plant-based bottles or filtered?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING PLASTIC BOTTLES: Five plastic bottles (PET) recycled provides enough fiber to create one square feet of carpet or enough fiber fill to fill one ski jacket. Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves the equivalent energy usage of a two person household for one year. In 2007 more than 30 billion bottles went into landfills, up 17% from the previous year. Hard-lined filtered water dispensers eliminate most: production, packaging, distribution, disposal issues related to single serving and 5-gallon water bottles.

Buys Locally - Does your organization buy locally whenever possible (within a 100 mile radius)?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS: Sourcing your products locally improves the link between creation to use/consumption which has infinite environmental and natural resource benefits. These benefits include improved quality of water, air, soil and our health.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS: Sourcing your products or services from local businesses can help reduce your purchasing costs and can stimulate your local economy. Locally sourced products can instill loyalty in your customer base and provide reciprocal opportunities between small businesses and the vendors, and large corporations and their community.

Greener Products - Do you offer and/or buy organic, natural, sustainable, and/or renewable products and continue to look for ways to do so (> 20%)?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, RENEWABLE, NATURAL PRODUCTS: By increasing useage and demand of sustainable, natural and/or organic products we reduce dependence on non-renewable resources which tend to be harmful in their production and cause numerous harmful by-products. Organic and natural products have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than processed or synthetically enhanced ingredients. These products are good for the environment and good for our health.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, RENEWABLE, NATURAL PRODUCTS: There are increasing demands for healthier products and that demand is making the prices for such products more competitive. The market for 'greening' products is increasing faster than any other category in the marketplace. The future of our economy will reside with a balance between "good for the environment and good for the pocket-book". With the advancement of this emerging 'green' industry comes new jobs and a reduced reliance on off-shore suppliers ... while never losing sight of the global economy. It is the quintessential sustainable economic stimulus package of our time, if we capture it.

Resources


Click their logo to view their website.		Click the UP logo to view Wild Harvest's ECO PROFILE

Wild Harvest products are produced without preservatives or manufactured enhancers, you’ll never find an unpronounceable word in their ingredients. Wild Harvest's wide selection of products are created with one philosophy in mind - simply food ... natural, delicious and affordable. Organic Farming means moving away from synthetic pesticides and herbicides and towards natural, sustainable agriculture. Organic foods help sustain small farms and safeguard the environment by protecting the earth's soil and preserving water quality. Soil fed with organic matter produces healthy, nutrient-rich plants. Naturally, flavor would follow.

Click on the logos below to learn more about organics, sustainable and renewable products:

Promotes Progress - Does your organization encourage the employees, suppliers and others to also publicly communicate their efforts by publishing an eco-profile?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS & COMPANIES TO TAKE ACTION AND PUBLISH AN ECO-PROFILE: Encouraging your employees, suppliers and/or customers to meet this baseline creates exponential environmental progress in every regard. Mainstreaming these basic actions will measurably improve our impact on the environment and prepare us for the next level of progress. The current disorganization and chaos of 'green' is hindering progress.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS & COMPANIES TO GET UPONGREEN: Green is a market share issue. In multiple studies such as Cone Research, Gallup, GoodPurpose, Tandberg, (2007) 92% of employees surveyed have an increased positive image of the company they work for when it practices environmentally and socially responsible initiatives. Improved employee relations, result in a decrease in employee turnover. Additionally, more than 85% of consumers surveyed stated they will switch companies or products to support ones that are more enviornmentally and socially responsible if given the opportunity. UPonGREEN can help your company not only reduce expenses through these basic environmental intiatives, but it can also effortlessly help your business earn marketshare and become an EcoHero by inspiring others to do the same.

Energy Audit- Has your organization had an energy audit within the past 24 months?

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS: If each company received an audit and implemented minor changes, the US could reduce national CO2 emissions by 15% or more.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS: Energy audits often detect energy saving opportunities that haven’t been realized by the business and can often find energy savings in excess of 15-20% for each company. Many energy specialists and auditors have access to information that businesses of all size may not be aware of such as rebates, refunds, grants, and federal assistance to make improvements. These opportunities will not exist forever so it is important for businesses and organizations to take advantage of them while they are available. Check with your local energy company for more information relating to audits, incentives and rebates.

We plan on doing this in the next 6 months.

Alternative Energy - Does your organization incorporate the use of ultimate efficiency systems and/or alternative, renewable &/or sustainable energy resources e.g. solar, wind energy, geothermal temperature management, etc?

Not Likely at this time so we will work on improving our energy efficiency as best as possible.

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Green Sourcing - Does your organization look for resources and vendors who help reduce waste and produce products or services in environmentally preferred ways?
Yes stamp

MASA strives to use recycled products whenever it is possible. We also recycle all of our toner cartridges and donate unused stationary to schools.

Quality & Longevity to Reduce Waste - Does your organization recognize that ensuring good quality & longevity of your products prevents waste?
Maybe stamp

We do not provide products

Green Products - Does your organization have offerings (either produced by our organization or outsourced for our organization) which are considered environmentally responsible products i.e., organic, natural, locally produced, cruelty-free produced, produced with renewable & sustainable resources?
Maybe stamp

We do not provide products

Green Goals - Does your organization have a strategy in place to increase its environmentally responsible offerings significantly within 2-5 years?
Maybe stamp

Values Driven - Is your organization "values" driven, as well as "profits" driven?
Yes stamp

We are always focused on 'core values' in what we do.

Reduce Waste - Does your organization incorporate methods to reduce waste, reuse packaging when possible and minimize unnecessary packaging? And do you encourage your suppliers to do the same?
Yes stamp

MASA strives to use recycled products whenever it is possible. We also recycle all of our toner cartridges and donate unused stationary to schools.

Employee Safety - Does your organization promote employee safety, well-being and health in the work environment?
Yes stamp

EcoTree ( 1 )
1. Gives Locally
2. Recycles
3. Lighting
4. Energy Reduction
5. Office Paper
6. Temperature
7. Transportation
8. Computers
9. Unwanted Mail
10. Conserves Water
11. Bottled Water
12. Buys Locally
13. Greener Products
14. Promotes Progress
15. Energy Audit
16. Alternative Energy
Extras
Certifications

Minnesota Association of School Administrators St. Paul, MN, United States

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