Certifiably Green Denver Certification Criteria

Sustainability has many definitions, but the basic principles and concepts remain constant: balancing economic and financial need, protecting public health and the environment, and fostering social equity to improve the quality of life for future generations and ourselves. A good first step towards making your business sustainable is getting your employees and customers involved in the process to build a culture of sustainability.

Core Criteria – Complete All

• Educate all stakeholders (employees, customers, other businesses) about your shop’s environmental practices and the CGD program and certification process.
• Verify your organization is in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, including, but not limited to the following:
  • Universal Waste Rules (used oil, antifreeze, mercury containing light fixtures)
  • Waste Tire Regulations
  • Denver Noise Ordinance
  • Air Emission and CFC Requirements
  • Hazardous Waste Regulations
  • Stormwater Management Requirements
  • Industrial Pretreatment and Wastewater Requirements
  • OSHA Hazard Communication - Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Adopt a policy/mission statement that demonstrates your business’s commitment to environmental stewardship and communicate the policy to all employees.
• Post the CGD certification decal and/or logo in a prominent location on your storefront, lobby and/or company website or window, etc. Publicize your environmental practices and statement on your website.
• Ensure employee well-being through appropriate policies, benefits and pay.
• Provide business energy, water and waste usage metrics for the past year.
  • Energy: Add amounts from your monthly Xcel bills, view your account online or call Xcel at 1-800-481-4700.
  • Water: Add amounts from your monthly Denver Water bills
  • Waste: Call your waste hauler(s) for annual totals.

Elective Criteria - Choose Two

• Organize a “Green Team” to oversee and document your certification and ongoing environmental practices.
• Achieve another sustainable certification or recognition through a verified organization.
• Implement procedures or policies that advance JEDI initiatives within the workplace.
• Banking is done with a socially responsible bank.
• Encourage other businesses to participate in the program or adopt sustainable practices. Provide referral information for at least one other business.
• Participate in one or more community improvement programs or events annually.
• Provide incentives for your employees to volunteer with environmental and/or other organizations.
• Complete another project that fits your needs. Review the project with CGD staff to determine how the project will meet the criteria for this elective.

Energy efficiency means using less energy to heat and cool buildings; heat and circulate water; and operate lights, equipment, and machinery without sacrificing productivity or comfort. Energy efficiency can increase profits and improve productivity.

Core Criteria – Complete All

• Establish and implement a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance plan for HVAC equipment, including regular filter replacement.
• Regularly inspect compressed air lines and repair any leaks.
• Insulate boilers and hot water pipes.
• Educate staff and require that all non-essential lighting, equipment and machines be turned off after business hours.
• Require any new equipment purchases or rentals to be ENERGY STAR-rated when available.
• Sign-up for on-line account access with Xcel Energy to track your energy usage at www.xcelenergy.com/billing_and_payment 
• Replace all incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs.
• Replace older style T-12 fluorescent tubes with T-8 fluorescent or LED tubes.
• Install programmable thermostats and set a program appropriate for your space heating and cooling needs.
• Replace all Exit signs with LED or electroluminescent alternatives.
• Educate all staff to minimize compressed air usage. Set air pressure at lowest possible level, and avoid using for cleaning equipment or floors where dry cleanup is appropriate.

Elective Criteria - Choose Two

• Utilize renewable energy for at least 20% of your energy needs (either purchased or installed on-site).
• Use outside air for your compressor intake line.
• Replace or update your compressor with and energy efficient model (rebates available).
• Install occupancy sensors in low-traffic areas.
• Shade sun-exposed windows and walls during the warm season; use blinds, awnings, low-emissivity coatings, or shade trees.
• Replace standard motors with variable frequency drives (VFD) on boilers, HVAC, compressors, and/or pumps.
• Sign up for the Lease for Efficiency Challenge
• Complete another project that fits your needs. Review the project with CGD staff to determine how the project will meet the criteria for this elective.  

Although water covers nearly three-quarters of the earth, less than one percent is clean, fresh water. Therefore, it is vital that we both conserve and protect this critical resource. When evaluating potential savings, don’t forget to consider costs to heat and treat the water.

Core Criteria – Complete All

• Comply with the CGD’s Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• If sub-metered, sign-up for on-line account access with Denver Water to track water usage and request to receive email water efficiency report.
• Stencil storm drains on facility property to increase awareness.
• Clean outdoor areas with a broom and damp mop instead of a hose. This includes parking lots, sidewalks, alleys or patios. Never hose off outdoor hardscapes or use detergents unless collected and properly disposed** (required by state and local regulations).
• Regularly check for plumbing leaks and repair immediately upon detection.
• Educate employees to reduce water usage at all times (e.g. turning off water while washing hands), using signage or email reminders (CGD can provide signage).
• Install low flow aerators or control valves in faucets – 1.0 gallon per minute (gpm) or less.
• Install toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) or less.
• Water landscape in the evenings, overnight, or early mornings.

Elective Criteria - Choose Two

• Maintain a map of your property, identifying directions(s) of stormwater flow and locations of storm drain inlets.
• Install 0.5 gallon per minute (gpm) sensor-controlled sinks in restrooms.
• Install high-efficiency or waterless urinals in men’s restrooms.
• Install drip irrigation for all trees and planting beds.
• Reduce turf areas with installing rain gardens or planting low water consuming or drought resistant vegetation.
• Require any new equipment purchases or rentals to be Water Sense rated when available.
• Retrofit toilets with 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) or less.
• Install high-efficiency toilets that use 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) or less.
• Reduce window cleaning frequency from regular intervals to an as-needed basis.
• Complete another project that fits your needs. Review the project with CGD staff to determine how the project will meet the criteria for this elective.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Reducing consumption, reusing existing materials, and recycling as the final step saves resources and money. Purchasing products with recycled content increases the demand for recycling and drives improvements in quality and price. Check for health hazards associated with the products that you use, and look for less toxic alternatives.

Core Criteria – Complete All

• Designate a recycling coordinator to take responsibility for monitoring and maintaining recycling and composting programs.
• Conduct a waste assessment to identify the types and percentage of waste that are currently being generated and recycled.
• Conduct an on-going education and training program about recycling, composting, waste reduction, and other environmental topics. Document dates and methods (emails, meetings, lunch presentations, etc.).
• Purchase 100% recycled content paper products with at least 30% post consumer content.
• Recycle all cardboard, mixed paper, cartons, and all aluminum, steel, glass or plastic containers accepted by recycling service provider.
• Ensure all trash/recycle and/or compost containers are clearly labeled with pictures and words. 
• Purchase environmentally preferable (e.g. biodegradable, naturally-derived, organic) cleaning products and soaps.
• Stock only reusable, compostable, or recyclable, kitchenware for staff use (e.g., in breakrooms).
• Eliminate single-use disposable coffee pods. Utilize a reusable option, participate in a take-back program or switch to regular filtered coffee.
• Properly dispose all electronic waste and ink cartridges/toners. Ideally pursue a certified E-Steward company.
• Set printer and copier defaults to double sided.
• Reduce paper documents by having electronic forms or contracts where possible.
• Work with vendors to minimize and/or take back non-recyclable product packaging where possible. Purchase in bulk when possible.
• Provide filtered water (and possibly water bottle filling stations) for staff in lieu of providing single-use plastic bottles.
• Properly dispose of hazardous waste materials.

Elective Criteria - Choose Two

• Implement a composting program or compost all food scraps from staff
• Donate usable outdated equipment and supplies to nonprofit groups, schools, etc.
• Implement a comprehensive, written environmentally preferred purchasing program.
• Landscaping is completed utilizing sustainability methods (e.g., xeriscaping, limit pesticide/herbicide use).
• Buy local products where possible to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Use reusable metal or nylon coffee filters.
• Require cleaning/sanitizing product suppliers take back empty containers.
• Purchase furnishings that are used or made with reclaimed or recycled materials.       
• Complete another project that fits your needs. Review the project with CGD staff to determine how the project will meet the criteria for this elective.

Sustainable transportation reduces pollution by increasing the quality of public transportation, cycling and walking, uses cleaner fuels and technologies, encourages trip consolidation and planning thus reducing vehicle miles traveled.

Core Criteria – Complete All

• Adopt an anti-idling vehicle policy for employees, customers and vendors who conduct business at your establishment and for your transportation vehicles; vehicles may not idle for more than 5 minutes in any one hour period (with limited exceptions based on temperature conditions).
• Fuel vehicles early in the morning, or late in the evening whenever possible.
• Link trips to accomplish all errands for your facility in one outing.
• Inflate all shop and customer tires to recommended pressure.
• Promote alternative transportation methods for getting to and from work to your employees. Alternative methods could include riding a bike, walking, carpooling, or taking the bus.
• Offer telecommuting and/or flexible schedules so workers can avoid heavy traffic and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Provide information on carpooling, van pooling bicycling, walking and public mass transportation to staff and customers. 

Elective Criteria - Choose Two

• Install bike racks for customers and employees in a secure location.
• Transition company fleet vehicles to electric vehicles or electric bikes
• Provide the opportunity and incentives for employees to participate in Bike-To-Work Day.
• Become an EPA SmartWay partner or affiliate.
• Provide free or discounted bus passes or Eco-passes to employees.
• Provide plug-in vehicle charging to customers with electric vehicles.
• Become a Denver B-cycle Sponsor or Bike Denver Business Cycles Member.
• Provide shower facilities for employees, who walk, jog or bike to work. Consider contracting with a nearby health facility for the use of their showers.
• Install GPS/routing devices on delivery vehicles to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Provide an incentive to customers who use RTD or bike (small discount or coupon on next visit).
• Develop “green driving tips” and proper vehicle preventative maintenance checklists for customers.
• Complete another project that fits your needs. Review the project with CGD staff to determine how the project will meet the criteria for this elective.

Business Management

• Universal Waste Compliance Bulletin – Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hm)

Energy Efficiency

• EnergyStar for Small Business (http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/small-biz)
• Xcel Energy Business Solutions (http://www.xcelenergy.com/Energy_Solutions/Business_Solutions)
• Carbon Offsets
  • www.climatetrust.org
  • www.carbonfund.org
  • www.uship.com/terrapass

Water Conservation and Quality

• Denver Water Conservation Program and rebate info (www.denverwater.org/conservation)
• Xeriscape Colorado (www.xeriscape.org)
• WaterSense (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/)
• Stormwater protection and illicit discharge information (www.keepitcleandenver.org)

Resource Management

• Eco-Cycle Hard-to-Recycle Guide (www.ecocycle.org/htrg)
• Center for Hard-to-Recycle Material (CHaRM) (www.ecocycle.org/charm)
• Repurposed MATERIALS (www.repurposedmaterialinc.com)
• EPA WasteWise Program resources (www.epa/gov/wastewise)
• Packaging Waste Reduction: (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/packaging/retail)
• Metech Recycling: (www.metech.com)
• Rocky Mountain Recycling, LLC: (www.rockymountainrecycling.com)

Transportation

• Way to Go (www.waytogo.org)
• Regional Transportation District (www.rtd-denver.com)
• Denver BCycle (www.denver.bcycle.com)
• Bike Denver (www.BikeDenver.org)