Sustainable Business Recognition Program

Hosted by the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce and the South Central Solid Waste Authority.

The objective of this annual program is to raise awareness for businesses that are making a concerted effort to reduce their impact on the environment and encourage business owners to implement green initiatives like those included in the questionnaire.

Please complete this form to highlight your business’ sustainable efforts to reduce waste, buy more environmentally friendly products, conserve resources, and build value. All applicants will be recognized for their efforts, and the top three achievers will be honored at the 10th Anniversary Party for the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce on April 29th, 2020. Top-level achievers will be selected for further recognition.

The deadline to submit forms is March 31st, 2020. Submissions will be judged by a panel of local experts in the areas of recycling and sustainability. Winners will be notified by April 15th, 2020 and recognized at the 10th Anniversary Party of the Las Cruces Green Chamber on April 29th, 2020.

Business Owner's name (required)

Your Business Name (required)

Business Address (required)

Phone (required)

Email (required)

Number of Employees

Questionnaire

Thank you for participating in our Sustainable Business Recognition Program. The form is divided into several "green" categories, including: Waste Diversion and Recycling, Resource Conservation, Business Commitment to Sustainable Practices, Green Purchasing, and local Business Support. Please provide enough detail for us to effectively evaluate your efforts.

Knowing how much waste your business produces and how much you recycle is essential to a successful Recycling Program.

Waste/Trash Provide information on how much waste your business generates. You can measure this by container size and how often per month it is emptied, or by estimated weight.

Recycling Provide information on how much you recycle. What size and how many recycling containers do you have at your business? If you drop-off recyclables yourself, estimate how many containers (and what size) you recycle per month.

Check all the materials you have recycled/composted in the last year:

CardboardMixed PaperShredded PaperBooks/Phone BooksPlastic ContainersTin CansAluminum CansPlastic BagsPlastic BottlesPlastic ContainersInk/Toner CartridgesElectronicsRechargeable BatteriesCFL Lightbulbs or Fluorescent TubesGlass ContainersMetalYard WasteFood ScrapsPalletsHazardous WasteUsed Oil
Other:

Resource Conservation

Reducing waste by conserving resources in the first place can not only save money, but will help reduce your trash bill. Check all practices implemented at your business in the last year.

Bulk or concentrated purchasingDouble-sided copyingProduct repair rather than replacementWarranty purchase for productsCloth towels or hand dryers rather than paper towelsRefillable water containers (discontinuing single serve cups or bottles)Electronic customer billing and payment optionsPromote Energy ConservationPromote water conservationMaintain equipment per manufacturer recommendationsPerform regular equipment maintenanceDurable reusable containers used for shippingReusable plates, silverware, etc.Rechargeable batteriesReduce junk mail by removing address from mailing listsElectronic filing, documents or communications to reduce paper useDiverting usable materials to schools, non-profitsPurchasing used items (e.g. dishes and cups for the breakroomlaunder cleaning rags rather than using paper towels
Other/Explain: Please provide any details on resource conservation practices that your business uses that others can employ.

Business Commitment to Sustainable Practices Management commitment, awareness training, and employee buy-in are essential to program success. Check all green practices that you have implemented at your business.

Green TeamIndividual Recycling ChampionEmployee incentive programWaste reduction goals in placeRegular staff trainingEnergy Saving program (lights, HVAC, electronics, appliances)Regular program evaluation and resultsContract including recycled content or recycling requirementsWater Conservation Policy in place (e.g. low flow fixtures, minimize use, fixing leaks)Written Sustainability policyElectric/Hybrid Vehicle
PLease provide any other details about your programs

Green Purchasing

Green purchasing means choosing products with lessor or reduced adverse effects on the environment than conventional products.

Recycled Content Products with recycled content save resources (e.g. wood, metal, plastic) and completes the recycling loop by creating a market for recyclables and a demand for new products to be manufactured with recycled content. Making the choice to buy greener alternative products reduces your resource use and completes the recycling loop (helping to create a demand for new products to be manufactured with recycled content. Recycled content products are listed HERE. Check all recycled content materials you purchase:

Copy PaperNotebooks/writing tabletsEnvelopesFile FoldersToilet Paper/TissuesPaper Towels/napkinsLandscaping products (plastic timber)Cardboard BoxesBindersClipboardsInk/Toner CartridgesOffice FurnitureRecycling/Trash ContainersConstruction materials (e.g. ceiling tiles)
Other:

Buying products that are used or refurbished, such as office furniture, electronics and cell phones counts also because you are extending the life of the equpment to conserve resources. Please provide information on any refurbished products you purchased for your business.

Energy/Water Saving Products More efficient Energy Star and Water Sense products also reduce our impact on the environment. These products not only reduce your resource use, but will save you money during their operational lives, often paying for themselves over a short period of time. Check all resource-saving products you purchased in the last year:

Electronics (Phone, TV, Audio Visual)Office Equipment (Computers, printers, UPSAppliancesLight Fixtures/Ceiling FansLightbulbsHeating/ACSolar PanelsInsulating Doors/Windows/SkylightsFaucetsLow Flush Toilet/UrinalLow-flow showerheadsLandscape Irrigation ControlsWater HeaterCommercial Food Service EquipmentLow-flow Faucets/aeratorsTimers, power strips, or motion sensors on equipment or lights to turn off when not in use
Other:

Less Toxic Products Biopreferred, Safer Choice and other “greener” (less toxic) products (e.g. http://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides) protect your employees and have a lesser impact on the environment. Check the “greener” or renewable products you purchased in the last year:

Cleaning productsLubricantsAutomotive ProductsSolventsPersonal Care ProductsLaundry ProductsDishwashing ProductsNon-Styrofoam ContainersAdhesivesPaints, sealers, removers
Other:

Buying products and services from other local businesses also contributes to creating a sustainable community. Please check all products and services you have purchased from other local businesses in the last year.

Office SuppliesCleaning ServicesConstruction Materials/ServicesMaintenance ServicesSpecialized products (locally produced goods)Beverage servicesAccounting/Payroll/BillingAppliancesEquipmentPrinting servicesFood/Catering
Other:

Based on the amount of products and services you purchase locally, please estimate how much money you keep in the community.

Thank you for completing this form. In order for us to accurately acknowledge the ways your business is reducing your impact on the environment, please let us know in the space below if there are other sustainable practices your business follows that the questionnaire did not include. Please let us know how we can improve this questionnaire and program.

If you would like Green Chamber support in greening your business, please let us know! Contact LCGCC CEO/President Carrie Hamblen at 575-323-1575 or carrie@locallascruces.com.