Green Business Certification
It is difficult to know what all is involved in achieving Green Business certification because this process can be complex and confusing. Some experts claim that Going Green is about saving energy and water. Others claim that the process is mostly about the sustainable issues. Green does include something called Indoor Air Quality, and changing out the cleaning chemicals in use. There is concerns for source reduction, recycling, and pollution issues. To do it right, there is a number of key issues to address that should culminate in a ever more Green business.
There is a growing awareness that the city, state, and federal regulators are going to pass more and more laws forcing businesses to Go Green. We also see a growing public awareness about the real value of a Green workplace. Green has a serious impact on the health of workers and students alike. Over the years, product after product has added an increasing volume of chemicals to our schools and businesses. In the end, these compounding chemicals accumulate and magnify the health hazards of those who work in our facilities. Going Green is not only about endangered species, but about the now-proven health concerns on everyone in our buildings.
As the world comes full circle on the serious impact of chemicals on our health, the fact that these chemicals have been in nearly everything we touch and breath is worse than every suspected. We have lived in a very non-Green world for a long time. In fact, the EPA tells us that people spend 90% of their time indoors. It is a health imperative that businesses develop comprehensive plans to Go Green and improve the health quotient of the office and factory.
Well, the answer is not easy for most harried business people. The duties of work and the other necessities to operate a business are immense and consuming. Add to that concern the fact that Going Green is a kind of science that takes a progressive transition to new practices, Green is often left to a token and disassociated effort that is little better than doing nothing.
The Green Consultant is able to step into any business as an outsourced adviser and map out a simple and effective way to take any business to a Green Business certification. Green business is not the same as a Green building. Green businesses deal with the operational part of the business as well as the physical plant. It is true, that a Green facility may have a number of non-Green practices in place.
It is also helpful to realize that Going Green does not happen in one surge of compliance. Replacing light bulbs, water restrictors, and cleaning chemicals are great ideas; but there are many issues left unresolved. This is why the Green Management is a phased program that allows any company to add pieces of Green compliance on an ongoing basis. In fact, the program awards points for each and every improvement that is made in the operation. Some suggestions are as simple as adding a few of the ten varieties of live plants that eat up volatile organic compounds from the air.
A business can earn the Green Business certificate in as few as three months by no more than twelve months. Following a monthly report called the Green Management Guide, a business need only report processes already in place or recently implemented to earn points toward certification. The goal is to reach 100 points, but no two routes to certification are alike since Green ideas will vary from business to business. Frankly, it is the most effective way to demonstrate a Green program because it is designed to fit your style of operation, and it is relatively easy. All participating Green Businesses also participate in the Green Business League which promote cross-selling to other Green minded businesses.
Tags: Indoor Air Quality, Long Time, Going Green, Michael Richmond