Sustainability Roadmap for Startups - Green Plus

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Be Water Wise
‣ Install sink aerators. These cost about $1 and slow the flow of water. If you have showers at work, look
into low flow shower heads. In the vast majority of cases, the difference in water flow is unnoticeable.
Get Around Sustainably
‣ Share information about alternative transportation options, such as brochures for local transit options
(if there are any). Help employees map out their locations to facilitate matchmaking for possible
carpooling. Share information about bike safety. Designate a bike/walk/carpool to work day or week and
celebrate with food or coffee when employees arrive.
‣ If you use vehicles in your work, make sure to get regular tune ups, keep tires properly inflated and use
the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil to ensure optimal fuel economy.
Be Waste Wise
‣ Perform a solid waste audit. Although it sounds complex (and can be for a large organization), a waste
audit is essentially an accounting of what goes in trash and recycling. Find instructions for performing a
waste audit on the Green Plus site or by searching online.
‣ Set up a recycling system for: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal. In the early days, this might
entail a supportive employee dropping off recyclables at the municipal dump.
‣ Thrift is a useful value for businesses, and reuse is a way to cut down on purchases, save money, and
extract as much use as possible out of resources. Use the second side of scrap paper for note taking –
set up a scrap bin next to the printer or other office supplies for employees to take as they need. Recycle
the paper once it’s fully used. Choose washable plates, mugs, glasses and flatware over disposables.
Such supplies can be purchased at thrift stores (although they may not match) for a deal. Look for used
furniture, which is also cheaper.
‣ Share documents electronically rather than printing them whenever possible. If you have documents
you need to share with customers, include an option to receive them electronically, which can
drastically cut down on paper use.
‣ If there are hazardous materials or other chemicals that may threaten human, plant, or animal health in
your facility, first try to reduce usage. If that’s not possible, educate yourself about proper storage and
disposal of hazardous materials and share this knowledge with employees. Such steps can reduce
regulatory risks, pollution, and adverse health impacts.
Purchase Sustainably
‣ Purchase office paper made with recycled content. This paper is usually marked with a certain
percentage of “post-consumer recycled” content, such as 20%, 30% or 100%. This paper is near cost
parity with regular paper and supports a market for recycling of a major natural resource – trees.
‣ If you clean your own office, use non-toxic products. There are a variety of cleaning products made
from non-toxic chemicals and in some cases you can make your own from items you can find in a
kitchen. If you have a cleaning service, inquire whether they can use non-toxic supplies in your office.