Sustainability

76. Organization is willing to be a mentor to other businesses going through Leaders in Sustainability certification.

While each business faces unique challenges and circumstances in achieving its sustainability goals, being able to share ideas and resources is a critical piece of building a sustainable business community in Clackamas County. Many businesses would be interested in being an informal mentor to other businesses in order to encourage learning from one another. If you are interested in being connected with another business for this purpose, or if you are willing to be a mentor yourself, let your Sustainability Advisor know.

77. Employees receive paid time to volunteer in the community or serve in civic leadership roles.

It is becoming increasingly common for workplaces to offer paid time off for their employees to do volunteer work. Many employers find that nurturing volunteerism within their organizations leads to improvements in the work environment, employee satisfaction and retention, public engagement, and their relationships with customers. It also enables an organization to become more directly involved in addressing local issues.

Getting Started:

First, identify any obstacles that could be in the way of starting an employee volunteer program. Lack of resources, for example, has been cited by 46% of companies surveyed as the primary obstacle to corporate citizenship.

Consider offering your employees release time or flex time so they can volunteer with local organizations in need. Release time provides employees paid time off to volunteer. These policies vary from company to company, ranging anywhere from one paid day per year, up to ten paid hours each month. (For more ideas on release time policies, see this sample volunteer time-off policy.) Flex time, on the other hand, allows employees to adjust their work schedules to accommodate volunteering. Unlike release time, it does not financially cover employees’ volunteer time. An additional option is to instead hold a company-wide volunteer day, which can provide team building and employee interaction. Volunteer days are also great opportunities for enhancing your public image. Not sure where to find volunteer opportunities for your employees?  Organizations like Earth Day Oregon or Willamette Week have pulled together lists of nonprofits to make choosing a volunteer option easy, for Earth Day or any day of the year.

Make sure to recognize employees who volunteer so that they stay motivated and excited to continue volunteering! This is an aspect that is often forgotten. For ideas on how to recognize volunteers, see this sample volunteer recognition guide.

78. Recruit and/or hire people from disadvantaged populations and communities.

Sustainability incorporates social dimensions such as social inclusion, equal opportunities and anti-discrimination. It is about understanding impacts on people and society. It is also about proactive contributions toward human development and well-being. Business partnerships that support people from disadvantaged populations is a component of social sustainability helping create meaningful employment and increased independence, self-confidence and dignity. The State of Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services provides a list of Qualified Rehabilitation Facilities by service type including e-waste recycling, janitorial, food and beverage services and more that can provide a starting point to find organizations that employ people with disabilities. Exceed Enterprises is one example of a Clackamas non-profit organization that excels in providing vocational and personal development service for people with disabilities.

79. Sponsor, host or donate in-kind services or products to community organizations.

Involvement in community organizations demonstrates your concern for the community in which your business is located, and it shows that your business supports certain community-related issues. This can significantly improve your organization’s public image, as well as help build goodwill in your community. Offering professional services or products that may otherwise go unused is a great way to support your local community. If you have a specific service or product that you would like to donate, contact your Sustainability Advisor for assistance connecting with other organizations in Clackamas County that can use your support.

Getting Started:

• Contribute money to a community event or organization. You can often deduct contributions like these on your taxes.
• Volunteer your facilities to other organizations.
• Host an event for a community organization.

80. A charitable giving campaign, funds-matching, or similar program is in place to support charitable donations by employees.

When an employer sets up a workplace giving campaign, employees see that doing business is more than just that -- it’s about strengthening the local community by supporting organizations and important causes. In addition to helping community organizations raise money in an effective way, employees gain a sense of fulfillment that helps further connect them to your company’s mission.

To learn more about workplace giving campaigns for environmental organizations in Oregon, visit EarthShare Oregon website.

65. Incentives are provided for employees to choose public transit, alternative transportation or carpooling.

Incentivizing public transit, alternative transportation (biking, walking, etc.) and carpooling can sometimes be just what’s needed to get employees to break the habit of driving to and from work alone. Where public transit or alternative transportation is not readily available, facilitate ways for employees to connect with others to carpool. Contributing towards a monthly TriMet pass program, providing basic safety equipment and designating parking spots for carpools are some examples of how to help reduce employees’ commuting carbon footprint.

The Sierra Club provides some examples that may spur ideas, and the League of American Bicyclists offers helpful information on bicycle commuter benefits and payroll tax savings when offering cash incentives.

Some additional local resources for interested employees include:

For riding the bus:

• Trimet Trip Planner
• SMART (South Metro Area Regional Transit)

For biking to work:

• Metro Area Bike Maps – including Clackamas County’s, City of Milwaukie and  Sandy .
• Wilsonville Bike and Walk Map
• Bike and Walk Maps

For Ride sharing:

• C-Tran Vanpool
• Get There Oregon
• Enterprise Rideshare
• Rideshare Online

66. Teleconference and videoconference technologies are used.

Use Google Hangouts, WebEx, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Skype or similar programs and equip conference rooms with necessary equipment like a large-enough screen, a projector and/or a conference call phone.

67. Employees can telecommute (work from home) with supervisor approval.

Allowing employees to work from home cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions from their typical commutes. Telecommuting may not be for every workplace or every employee, but providing the flexibility to occasionally work from home can be great for employee satisfaction, can reduce operating costs and can even boost productivity by giving employees a chance to concentrate on a project in a quiet environment that is comfortable to them.

68. Employees participate in a commute challenge annually, such as the Bike More Challenge or the Oregon Get There Challenge.

Not every change is full of fun and adventure, but this one is! Sign up as an individual or, better yet, as an organization to participate in local commute events. Competitions can be very effective in enticing employees to try alternative commute methods and they’re a great way to recognize employees who often get to work by means other than solo trips in their cars.

The Street Trust (formerly Bicycle Transportation Alliance) hosts the Bike More Challenge in May of every year. This is a fun competition to support people to get on their bikes. The Oregon Get There Challenge (previously known as the Drive Less Challenge) is a 15-day statewide challenge to encourage Oregon residents and employees to make trips by carpool, vanpool, walk, bike, ride transit and telework, and is typically in October.

69. Alternative travel options (TriMet Trip Planner, bike parking, EV charging station locations, etc.) are displayed for visitors on our website.

There is no one-size-fits-all method of transportation, and the same is true for the way your customers travel to get to your business. By sharing a variety of travel options on your website, such as helping people plan their trip through Trimet, you are helping customers think about ways they can save gas and reduce air pollution in your community. Other customers may simply not be able to drive to your business and must rely on other means to reach your location. And if you have an EV charging station, you may even find yourself attracting new clientele who would have otherwise just needed a place to charge up!

70. Bike parking or lockers are available.

Does your business have space to install a bike rack or lockers for employees or customers? The City of Portland maintains a list of bicycle rack manufacturers and distributors. Best practices also include having secured space that provides cover from rain, and locker rooms for employees to be able to change and store items. For more tips on how to make your workplace bike friendly, check out Bike League’s list of best practices .

71. Alternative transportation or alternative fuels are used, including bikes, electric or hybrid vehicles, biodiesel-powered or natural gas-powered vehicles, etc.

Consider whether your employees’ work-related trips are as fuel-efficient as possible. Make it a policy to take advantage of Tri-Met or other public transit, company bikes, electric cars, carpools or hourly car rentals. Besides reducing your business’s greenhouse gas emissions, this can be a fun and healthy way for your employees to get around, and it can appeal to sustainability-minded customers.

There are many funding opportunities available to fleet managers, developers and the public to aid in the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles and infrastructure. An updated list of current financial opportunities is available from Clean Cities, including state and federal incentive programs. Another valuable resource is the federal grants website, which is the central resource to locate and apply for federal grants. The page is updated often, so check regularly.

Oregon Department of Energy provides assistance to vehicle fleet managers who want to expand their use of alternative fuels.

72. Electric vehicle (EV) charging is available to customers and employees.

Is there an EV station within one block of your workplace? If it’s on-site, do you make it available to the public when employees are not using it? You can learn more about EVs from Forth .

73. Drivers and vehicle operators are trained on driving practices that minimize fuel consumption.

Good driving directly impacts costs and emissions. By changing driving habits to improve smooth driving performance, lower speeds and reduce unnecessary idling, fleets committed to eco-driving can realize significant improvement in fuel mileage, reducing operating expenses and reducing emissions of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. For more information, read about SmartDrive’s fuel efficiency study .

74. A “no idling” policy is promoted for our motor fleet and vendors who deliver goods and services.

Did you know that if a vehicle is stopped for more than 10 seconds, it’s more fuel-efficient to turn off the engine rather than to idle? Also, idling for more than 30 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting the engine, and trucks and autos emit the same pollutants into the environment when idling as they do when they are moving. Stop idling to minimize your impact on both human health and the planet .

Ask your delivery people not to idle at their destination and post a “NO IDLING” sign to ask your suppliers to turn off their vehicles, reducing the amount of diesel particulate and CO2 emissions. Idle-reduction equipment can power and cool the cab while the truck is not in motion, allowing the engine to be shut off. Drivers will save money while they help the environment.

Avoiding idling time has a multitude of benefits, including savings in fuel and maintenance costs, extending vehicle life, and reducing damaging emissions. An idling engine consumes only enough power to keep itself and its accessories running, producing no usable power to the drivetrain. Each year, long-duration idling of truck and locomotive engines cumulatively emits over 11 million tons of CO2, 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide and 5,000 tons of particulate into the air. (Source: EPA Transportation and Air Quality.)

75. Distribution and shipping vehicles are used at full capacity, and transportation routes are optimized to reduce fuel consumption.

If your business delivers materials, consider using websites or software to find solutions that cut transportation costs, improve efficiency and raise customer service levels. Sending out delivery vehicles when they are only half-full, or not taking the time to plan the most fuel-efficient route, will contribute to higher fuel costs and increase your business’s carbon footprint.

The same goes for vehicles that employees drive to offsite meetings and events. Plan your workday or meetings around where you need to drive, and combine trips in order to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled.

48. Programmable thermostats are installed and set back when a space is unoccupied.

Unless you have a facilities person overseeing your thermostats, make sure a few staff know how to use them and check the settings periodically to make sure they are still set to what they should be. Try to limit the number of people who can alter the settings.

If you have a few office rebels who often override the settings, minimize this behavior by setting the timer so that the heat/air comes on 20-30 minutes before the first employee arrives. That way it will be at a good temperature at the start of the day. Then program the thermostat to revert to your off-peak temperature 20–30 minutes before the last person leaves. Most workplaces will stay perfectly comfortable for that half hour, and you will offset the earlier start time.

49. Computer monitors are set to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity, and all non-essential computers and peripheral devices are shut down at the end of each day.

Use the sleep and/or hibernate commands on your equipment to make this a standard practice. If initiating this for the first time, see if your IT staff can set this up for everyone at the same time.

Of course, it’s okay not to put this in place for specific workstations that need to be accessed after hours by accounting IT, or other staff. If company-wide software upgrades are made after hours on a regular basis, establish certain days of each month that these happen. That way, computers can be left on when necessary but still turned off for most evenings.

50. Appliances and vending machines are ENERGY STAR®-certified.

Replacement appliances for your kitchen, break room or laundry room should be ENERGY STAR-certified to improve your business’s energy efficiency. More and more models of appliances today qualify for ENERGY STAR, making it easier than ever to reduce both your carbon footprint and your energy costs. ENERGY STAR-certified models oftentimes qualify for rebates as well.

New and rebuilt refrigerated beverage vending machines that have earned ENERGY STAR certification are 50% more energy-efficient than standard machine models. One single ENERGY STAR ® -certified vending machine can save a building or business owner more than 1,000 kWh/year and is 40% more efficient than typical models.

51. “Smart” power strips are used at workstations that have three or more peripherals (monitor, printer, speakers, etc.).

When electronics are in standby mode, they can still draw some power even though they appear to be off (sometimes called “phantom energy”). At workspaces, consider plugging your devices (computer monitors, computer peripherals, etc.) into “smart” power strips, which can reduce your energy usage by shutting down power to items that have gone into standby mode. Not only will you be reducing energy usage, you’ll also be saving money.

52. Interior lighting is energy-efficient, e.g., equipped with T8, T5 or LED bulbs.

Lighting can account for as much as 15% of your energy bill at work. Switching to LED lighting can reduce costs by as much as 75%, plus LED fixtures last up to 50 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting and 3–4 times longer than T8 fluorescent lamps. If you’re upgrading, replace any older magnetic ballasts with electronic ones to save energy, reduce flickering and, depending on your fixtures and the number of bulbs, possibly lower operating costs.

The T8 and T5 designations indicate which size of linear bulb you have. (Look at a current or spent bulb for the letter “T” followed by a number.) The smaller the number, the more efficient the bulb. For more information, see Energy Trust's guide to energy-efficient lighting technologies for businesses.

53. Exterior lighting is LED and/or dark sky friendly.

Exterior lighting is often overlooked, but can be a significant source of your energy use. Switching to energy efficient outdoor lighting can not only save costs, but also reduce glare and improve safety when done well. Our advisors can help point you to resources and guidance from energy experts.

In addition to choosing efficient outdoor lighting, you can also choose outdoor lighting that is dark sky friendly, meaning that it minimizes light pollution. When artificial light is used in excess, it can disrupt the natural balance between day and night and have serious environmental consequences on humans, wildlife and even our climate. The light can also trespass onto others’ property where lighting may not be desired. You can reduce your negative impact by only turning on lights when and where they’re needed, ensuring that lights are not brighter than necessary, choosing lighting that is fully shielded and pointed downward, and minimizing blue light emissions.

54. Occupancy sensors or timers are used for lighting in storage rooms, offices, restrooms and other common rooms.

Occupancy sensors are inexpensive and very effective, especially in storage rooms, small offices, workrooms and restrooms. Savings vary depending on the area size, the type of lighting, and the use of the space, but estimates range from 35–75% by installing sensors.

55. Lighting is dimmed or turned off when adequate sunlight is available.

If you can’t install automatic or manual dimmers, try to establish workplace habits for turning off lights when they aren’t needed. Most of us are working in front of computer screens all day, which means that daylight is sometimes the only light that we really need at our desks.

56. Non-emergency lights are turned off each night.

For all lights that are not used for security or display, have a system in place to turn them off at the end of the workday. Don’t forget to check with overnight janitorial staff to make sure they’re also turning off lights when they leave.

57. Janitorial services are scheduled during business hours.

If your cleaning service works after hours, see if they can switch to office hours. Your lights and HVAC won’t need to remain on after hours, employees will be more aware of the impacts of their recycling habits, you can ensure that green cleaning products are being used and it gives staff an opportunity to get to know the people providing this service.

59. Equipment like HVAC, coolers/freezers, pumps and cooking equipment are regularly maintained.

This is an obvious one that is often overlooked. Be sure someone is scheduled to check your heating and cooling equipment each season. Filters should be set on a change-out schedule to allow proper airflow and to reduce stress on the motor that pulls in air to be filtered. Don’t forget to dust off coils and other intake locations found on equipment.

 59. Water heaters are set to 120°.

Most water heaters work by holding water (in a tank) at a specific temperature 24 hours a day. Reducing the temperature setting to 120° will save you energy 24 hours a day. If it’s not clear what your water heater is set to, you can run hot tap water over a candy thermometer to get a fairly accurate reading.

60. Window film, blinds and/or fans are used in the summer to reduce A/C load.

Help your air conditioner help you. By implementing simple best practices that reduce the size of the job your AC has to do, you can significantly reduce your electric bill. You can lower window blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your space, for example, and set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to help keep temperatures down. Using passive methods to cool indoor spaces doesn’t take much effort or investment, and they are practices with which we are all familiar.

61. Renewable energy is purchased, and/or investments have been made in on-site renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels.

Renewable electric power can be purchased through both Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, and Northwest Natural Gas has an offset program called Smart Energy. If your utilities are included in your lease payment, encourage your property manager to purchase renewable power.

More and more commercial buildings are looking at renewable energy as a means to reduce long-term operating costs.

62. Windows and doors are properly weather-stripped and gaskets on refrigerators and freezers are in good working order.

Weatherstripping, caulking, and door seals/sweeps can reduce drafts when outright replacement isn’t an option, and can oftentimes be just as effective at a fraction of the price. Making modest investments in ensuring that seals work well can reduce operating costs and make working areas more comfortable while reducing the workload of your heating and cooling equipment.

63. A baseline energy audit has been completed within the last five years to assess efficiency upgrade opportunities.

Want to save energy, but not sure where to start? Let PGE help. Their Energy Experts offer free, no-obligation energy-efficiency consultations to help you start saving energy. They can review your systems and give you strategies to save energy and to better manage your energy costs. Suggestions usually range from quick tips that help you trim energy use right away to smart investments that qualify for cash-back incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon while cutting energy use month after month. Your Sustainability Advisor can connect you, or you can sign up yourself and learn how to start saving today.

64. Energy use is monitored annually, and we evaluate for conservation opportunities.

Tracking your energy use gives your organization the ability to raise awareness about the financial and environmental impacts of your actions and equipment. Collect this information to set a baseline, and then track progress toward your goals. Graphing is a useful technique that helps people visualize your data and identify trends, abnormal consumption, and opportunities for improvement.

If your business is billed directly by utilities, use the details from your electric and gas bills to maintain a spreadsheet. You can access past account data at each utility’s website. For larger organizations that occupy whole buildings or most of a building, use ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager . If you share a utility meter or bill with others, or if it’s bundled within your lease payment, tracking energy is still possible but requires several estimations. Contact us for a calculating tool that can help guide you.

PGE’s Energy Tracker for small businesses.

Want to find ways to save on your business’s energy bills? First you need to understand how and when you’re using energy. PGE’s Energy Tracker makes it easy to monitor and manage your energy use. You can get alerts to see how much energy you use each week, or even to help prevent energy surprises. If you have a small business on basic service (schedule 32), Energy Tracker is already included with your online account.

Energy Tracker’s simple-to-understand charts make it easy to spot opportunities to save, including options to:

• See how much electricity you’ve used so far this month.
• Examine energy usage by the day, the hour, or even by 15-minute intervals to spot when you use the most energy. Might it be when you first turn on equipment? By identifying triggers that drive up your bill, you can strategize on how to save.
• Compare your energy use to the average daily temperature.
• Compare your current bill to last month, or to last year, to see how your energy use today compares.

What if you have larger needs?

If you have a larger business, multiple facilities or simply want more detailed energy management tools, PGE offers Energy Expert, a powerful, all-in-one energy monitoring service.

36. Faucets, fixtures and hoses do not leak.

Dripping faucets, toilets that constantly run and faulty hoses may not seem like significant wastes of water, but their leaks can add up to surprising losses over time. A single leaky faucet, for example, can waste hundreds of gallons of water per year. Repairs and routine maintenance can be simple processes that keep your fixtures and equipment working longer while reducing water waste.

37. Faucets in kitchens, break rooms, and restrooms have aerators installed (1.5 gallons per minute or less for kitchens and break rooms; 1.0 gpm for restrooms). Aerators can be provided at no cost.

Find the gallons per minute (gpm) number stamped into the outer edge of the aerators that you have in place on your faucets now. If your kitchen faucet uses 2.0 gpm or greater, or if your bathroom faucet uses 1.5 gpm or greater, installing low-flow aerators is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce water use without needing to replace your fixtures.

Aerators can be found for most faucet sizes. In fact, if the faucets at your business are standard fixtures rather than custom-made, we can give you aerators for free. This simple change can limit the flow rate on bathroom and kitchen faucets to less than half of what standard faucets use.

38. Toilets and urinals are WaterSense-approved (1.28 gallons per flush for toilets; 0.5 for urinals).

Replacing old, inefficient toilets and urinals can reduce the amount of water used by those fixtures by 20-60%. The EPA maintains a listing of WaterSense-labeled plumbing fixtures, but many manufacturers provide that information on their own websites as well.

39. The majority of landscaping is native and drought-tolerant.

Planting native and drought-tolerant plants conserves water and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers that can pollute local waterways. Using native plants in landscaping also brings the beauty of our region’s natural areas closer to home. Many native plants also can have dual positive impacts, including helping native wildlife and pollinators thrive . If you have an automatic watering system, check it annually for leaks and efficient operation. Don’t be that business – you know, the one with its sprinklers running in January or watering the sidewalk. Rain sensors for your sprinkler heads can be installed at a low cost.

40. Only tap water is provided; no bottled or delivered water.

You’re already paying for high-quality water each month to come through your taps. Are you also paying for bottled water on top of that – perhaps having it trucked in, or offering it in single-serve bottles? If so, encourage everyone to instead use refillable bottles filled at the sink or a bottle refill station. If there’s any concern about water quality (due to aging pipes, for instance), don’t make assumptions. Instead, call your water provider and request a water testing kit. A kit will test for lead, copper and iron.

If you decide water straight out of the tap isn’t for you, there are a number of local companies that can provide directly plumbed, filtered water dispensers that enable you to eliminate bottle transportation and waste. Let us know if you would like more information about this.

41. Water use is monitored and evaluated annually for conservation opportunities.

Tracking water use gives your organization the ability to raise staff awareness about the financial and environmental impacts of your actions and your building’s fixtures. Collect this information to set a baseline and then track progress toward goals. If your business is billed directly by your water utility, use the details provided on your bill to monitor your use. If you share a water meter or billing with others, or if it’s bundled within your lease payment, tracking water is still possible but requires several estimations.

Tracking your water use gives your organization the ability to raise awareness about the financial and environmental impacts of your actions and equipment. Collect this information to set a baseline and track progress toward goals. If your business is billed directly by utilities, use the details from your water bills to maintain a spreadsheet.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

42. Storm drains are permanently marked to provide pollution prevention education (Markers can be provided at no cost).

Storm drains flow directly to waterways and are not connected to municipal sewer systems. This means that anything poured down a storm drain or collected with rainwater ends up in our local rivers and streams. Storm drain markers provide an important visual reminder that pollutants such as paint, motor oil, antifreeze, non-biodegradable car wash soaps, and pesticides that make their way into these drains are discharged into the ecosystem without treatment, threatening fish, wildlife, and drinking water supply downstream.

Some cities will provide you with a storm drain marker, or even install them for you. Your Sustainability Advisor can also install storm drain markers at no cost. Not all drains are storm drains, so if your business is in a leased space, speak with your property manager to identify the locations of storm drains on the property.

If your garbage enclosure has a drain, confirm it is connected to the sewer system. To avoid potential contaminants entering waterways, wastewater from cleaning operations should be managed properly. The available free storm drain markers mentioned

above can point out to staff and the public which drains lead straight to a stream and thus should not be used for these purposes.

43. Outside garbage and recycling containers are in good condition, have lids and the enclosure is free of litter.

When garbage containers’ lids are left open, and when garbage bags and litter are left on the ground inside an enclosure, it creates a number of problems. Rainwater that gets into garbage containers can drain out, carrying with it pollutants and unsanitary wastewater. Garbage and litter left on the ground can lead others to not take necessary steps to properly dispose of garbage and recycling. Open lids can also cause lightweight items like plastic bags to escape enclosures and end up as litter or in local waterways. A well-maintained garbage enclosure, by contrast, reduces odors, helps keep pests away and minimizes the risk of wastewater pollution. It also makes for a safer and better overall employee experience while encouraging employees to use appropriate waste procedures.

44. Parking areas and loading docks are kept free of litter and oil drips, and containers or signage discourage littering.

If not properly dealt with, litter and oil in parking lots can enter the storm sewer system or clog surface storm drains. The storm sewer system carries untreated rainfall runoff directly into local waterways, meaning that litter and oil can simply wind up as pollution in the local ecosystem. Make it easy for customers, employees, and delivery drivers to properly dispose of their garbage in exterior containers, ideally located close to your business’s entry. Signage can also be an effective deterrent to littering.

Oil drips, on the other hand, require an even more proactive approach. Oil will damage asphalt if it sits for too long, and rainwater will cause it to quickly run into storm drains. It can also be a slip hazard. Some businesses keep absorbent materials such as baking soda on hand in order to soak up oil drips. Do not simply spray oil with water to direct it down the storm drain, and don’t choose harsh cleaners that will be toxins in the local watershed if it drains away. Large oil drips are typically found at parking spots and loading docks, but they can also come from exterior grease bins at restaurants.

45. Stormwater management facilities, such as bioswales and eco-roofs, are in place and maintained to regulatory standards.

Bioswales are small or large rain gardens that collect stormwater runoff from streets. (They are sometimes also called "green streets" when they are located in the public right-of-way.) Bioswales keep stormwater out of the sewer system and local streams, increase urban green space, improve air quality and replenish groundwater. An eco-roof decreases storm water runoff, reduces erosion, absorbs carbon dioxide, cools urban heat islands and filters air pollutants. If you have a large parking lot area and want to convert some of it to greenspace, there are organizations that help to remove unnecessary pavement and put in green spaces. Additionally, Water Environmental Services has grants available for watershed projects.

46. Storm catch basins are cleaned annually.

By trapping sediment, catch basins prevent solids from clogging the storm system and washing into receiving waters. Catch basins must be cleaned periodically to maintain their ability to trap sediment and prevent flooding. The removal of sediment, decaying debris, and highly polluted water from catch basins has aesthetic and water quality benefits as well, including reducing foul odors, reducing suspended solids, and reducing the load of oxygen-demanding substances that reach receiving waters. Some water providers within the county have clean out assistance programs including Milwaukie, Oregon City, and Water Environment Services . Ask your water provider if there are special rates offered in your water district.

47. The tree canopy adjacent to paved areas or the street supports stormwater management by reducing runoff.

Mature street trees absorb stormwater runoff and carbon dioxide, keep parking lots one to five degrees cooler and even entice shoppers to visit commercial districts. They can also slow the flow of water entering storm drains, preventing toxic materials and debris from entering storm drains.

48. Practices and devices for fat, oil and grease management are in place and regularly maintained.
All food/beverage establishments that are connected to the public sewer system must have an approved grease interceptor. It must be effectively sized, installed and maintained to keep fat, oil, grease (FOG) and food debris out of the public sewer system. A grease interceptor is designed to capture FOG before it discharges to the public sewer. Grease interceptors need effective inspection and pump out service. The recommended cleaning frequency varies by the type of grease interceptor, types of food served and kitchen cleaning practices. They are inspected by the local authority that enforces the federal Clean Water Act and related state and local laws, in partnership with the public works department. Cleanwater Services has training information for kitchen staff available in English and Spanish. One of the resources to help you find a rendering company to service the grease interceptor is the Preferred Pumper Program — a registry of grease interceptor pump-out companies that have agreed to train staff on approved cleaning procedures.

29. Potentially hazardous products such as paints, solvents and cleaners are safely stored and disposed of properly.

Employee safety starts with eliminating exposure to hazardous and toxic materials. Safely storing such materials reduces the chances of accidents, spills and ongoing exposure. It also protects your employees and prevents costly clean-ups. The materials your business generates every day may be considered hazardous waste. Metro provides a list of common hazardous products that you might find in your workplace.

Ask Metro, 503-234-3000, for referrals on any recycling and disposal options, including hazardous waste. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) also provides assistance in determining what is and what is not regulated as hazardous waste in Oregon, as well as whether businesses qualify as Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG). DEQ’s fact sheet is a handy resource.

30. Electronics are donated or recycled properly.

It’s illegal to throw away broken or outdated electronics. The Oregon E-Cycles Program is a free, easy, and environmentally responsible recycling program for computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards and computer mice. This program is financed by electronics manufacturers and jointly implemented by Oregon DEQ. Other electronics are recyclable as well, so we encourage you to set up a collection program at your business and check Find a Recycler or ask us for referrals to recycling businesses.

31. Third-party-certified green cleaners are used and, if applicable, specified in janitorial contracts (except where required differently by health code regulations).

Ingredients found in many commercial cleaning products are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Some employees may also react to fragrances and colored dyes used in soaps or other products to clean public spaces. The most hazardous cleaning products may be associated with higher risks of cancer, reproductive disorders, skin and eye irritation and respiratory ailments. Products with safer impacts on health, safety and the environment are more readily available than ever before.

However, many manufacturers promote their products as “green” even when, in fact, their products may be hazardous to human health and ecosystems. Making matters worse is that there are several existing certification programs with widely varying standards, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between truly green products and simple greenwashing .

The three most credible independent certification programs for green cleaners are Green Seal, Safer Choice, and EcoLogo . Look for these logos on all of the cleaning products used in your business or by your janitorial company. If you find products that are not certified by one of these programs, each of these certification programs has a searchable database that will help you find alternative products. (Note: Health code regulations sometimes dictate the use of cleaners that do not have third-party certified green alternatives. In such instances, less toxic alternatives may still be available.)

If you use a janitorial service, ask them about the products they use and whether they offer non-toxic alternatives. If your business leases its space and does not have control of the janitorial contract, consider talking to your building property manager about making a change. We can also help by talking to your property manager about the need for this action as part of your certification in Leaders in Sustainability.

But why stop there? There is more to green cleaning than just switching products. Training custodial staff and modifying cleaning protocols can make a big difference in the effectiveness of a green cleaning program. Look holistically at your program, and consider things like switching to reusable cleaning cloths and gloves if possible, and other waste prevention methods.

32. Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs are safely stored and properly recycled.

Fluorescent lighting, including tube-style and CFLs, have mercury in them, so it’s very important to dispose of them safely. They should not go into your mixed recycling or garbage! If your facilities manager or lighting contractor doesn’t handle burned-out bulbs, check our resources for recycling locations where you can drop them off or to find companies that can pick them up.

Mercury is a heavy metal that harms the brain, live and kidneys, and it can cause developmental disorders in children. Improperly sending burned-out fluorescent lamps to the landfill instead of to a hazardous waste facility can lead to contaminated air, water and soil, accumulating in the food web. Careless clean-up of a mercury spill can put you at risk, so learn how to safely handle mercury .

33. An Integrated Pest Management Plan is followed to minimize chemical use for pests and landscapes.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term form of pest control that uses a combination of pest management practices, not just spraying pesticides and herbicides, in order to minimize hazards to people, property and ecosystems. It does oftentimes still involve spraying, but it is done judiciously, with methods and materials that minimize collateral impacts. An IPM plan standardizes how pesticides are managed, tracked and reported in order to minimize the use of toxic products on properties. It creates standards for product procurement, handling and usage, and it establishes a framework for providing Integrated Pest Management training and education, equipping staff with best management practices. The EPA offers useful information on the topic of IPM.

34. EcoBiz-certified companies are used for landscaping and/or auto repair.

EcoBiz is an environmental certification program that recognizes Oregon businesses and agencies that work hard to protect the environment by preventing pollution and conserving resources. Their map is an easy way to find local landscaping and automotive companies that have been trained and third-party-certified to ensure they are following the best practices for each industry including Integrated Pest Management and designing landscapes that make use of native plants to reduce water use and costs. If you are a fleet shop, or if you maintain your own vehicles, you can download an application or request a free on-site meeting .

Oregon Tilth provides educational resources, on-site and accreditation training, workshops, technical visits and networking opportunities to professionals who are interested in practicing organic land care techniques. Visit Oregon Tilth for more information on their programs and a listing of accredited landscaping companies .

35. A chemical assessment is conducted annually to identify and eliminate potentially hazardous or toxic chemicals, including on-site and in our supply chain.

Evaluating the products used and then finding less toxic alternatives can benefit your business in a number of ways. Using chemicals that support Green Chemistry can help you stay in environmental compliance, reduce the risks of pollution and worker exposure, and reduce your costs related to disposal, transportation regulations and engineering controls.

When there are chemicals used in your operations that may result in harm to human and/or environmental health, consider eliminating the chemical and replacing it with a quality, affordable, safer and more sustainable alternative. If you currently do not have a well-established list of chemicals of high concern, a purchasing policy could specify that the following types of chemicals be avoided:

• Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs)
• Carcinogens and reproductive toxicants, as listed by the State of California
• Halogenated flame retardants
• Phthalates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), bisphenol-A, latex and mercury
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Many chemical supply companies offer free technical assistance in phasing out chemicals of concern and providing alternatives for your cleaning needs. The Washington Department of Ecology offers many tools that provide detailed information on chemical hazards and assessment of alternatives. These tools include Green Screen, developed by Clean Production Action as a very comprehensive chemical hazard assessment method, and a Quick Chemical Assessment Tool, which is a simpler alternative for small businesses that want to conduct hazard assessments of their products and chemicals.

DEQ also has tips on how to eliminate and phase out chemicals of concern and a list of 51 chemicals or groups that threaten the health of people and the environment and recommends using these tools to help with the process: IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide and Washington Alternatives Assessment Guide .

Relevant Article: Benchmarking to Advance Safer Chemicals Management

14. Recycling bins are clearly labelled, and in every location where recyclables are generated.

To make recycling easy for staff, place recycling bins where recyclables are created, especially in offices and common areas such as break rooms, kitchens or by copy machines. We can supply you with resources such as recycling boxes, posters and decals.

15. Copy/print paper contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.

Help close the recycling loop! Post-consumer products are, in fact, the reason we recycle. The recyclables you collect are processed into raw materials for manufacturing new products, reducing the demand for virgin materials. Think about the paper that you use the most, e.g., printer/copier paper, and ask your vendor for products that contain at least 30% post-consumer content.

Note:  Paper can have certifications, such as FSC-certified, that do not include post-consumer content. Paper made with recycled content uses less energy, water, and chemicals to produce because the fiber has already been extracted from trees.

16. Two additional products purchased have recycled content.

You can help close the recycling loop in other ways. Think about the office products that you use the most, such as printer toner, pens, paper towels and envelopes, and ask your vendor for products that contain post-consumer content. Some office supply business accounts allow you to identify product options that are customized to help you meet your green purchasing goals. If you set up your account with these options, anyone in your organization can order products that meet your sustainability goals.

17. Food scraps are composted. (Required for food-generating businesses. See application.)

This is one of the very best actions you can take to decrease your organization’s environmental impact! Food scraps are rich material for compost. By collecting food scraps at your business, you keep waste out of the landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating nutrient-rich material that is highly valued by home gardeners, farmers, vineyards, nurseries and other businesses. Your Sustainability Advisor can help you set up a collection program if such service is available in your area. Visit our webpage on reducing wasted food for more information.

Getting Started:

Contact your Sustainability Advisor for help working out the logistics with your garbage hauler and to provide support initiating a program that works for your business. We offer inside containers and decals, discounted pricing options for compostable bags, knowledge of systems that work for different business types and training for staff.

18. One additional material beyond the basic recycling list is recycled.

Some materials that are not allowed in your curbside recycling bins can still be recycled if dropped off at recycling locations throughout the region. Consider setting up a collection for batteries, fluorescent lights, plastic film or other commonly used items that can be recycled but are simply being thrown away. Check Metro’s Find a Recycler page for drop-off locations or ask your Sustainability Advisor about market options for specific materials.

19. Paperless invoicing, billing and payroll are utilized in order to reduce paper use.

There are lots of easy ways to reduce the unnecessary use of paper at work. Consider using the Track Changes feature in Word, Google Docs or other available tools to share documents for review rather than printing multiple versions. You can also go digital for waivers or other forms, send faxes to an email account and use a projector in meetings to review agendas and reports rather than printing copies for everyone. Also, convert to default electronic payroll, invoicing and utility billing.

Printers and copiers are among the most energy-intensive fixtures in an office workplace. Printing fewer pages means using less energy and expensive toner — which helps the environment and your financial bottom line. For more ideas and tools we’ve created a Paper Reduction Toolkit connecting you with next steps and easy-to-use implementation tools.  

20. Duplex printing is the default and centralized printers are used.

Make sure your printers, copiers and individual computers are set with the default of double-sided printing. There are several online tutorials about how to set your printing defaults for both PC and for Mac, or you can ask if your IT department can globally modify printer settings.

Centralized multifunction printer/copiers eliminate the need for personal desktop printers, save on toner costs and allow for automatic duplex printing. They can also have additional security features such as PIN printing, which requires employees to confirm their print job at the machine before printing will begin. PIN printing not only reduces duplicated and forgotten print jobs, but it also prevents sensitive documents from being left unattended. If you have centralized printers/copiers, make sure employees know how to use the available features.

You can also make use of old single-sided pages by using their blank sides as scratch paper. Make a designated spot of such unneeded pages near your printer, post a reminder sign and encourage employees to use that paper for taking notes rather than starting on a fresh sheet. Sustainability Advisors also have signage for GOOS (good on one side) collection boxes for your workplace.

21. Reusable dishware is used in day-to-day operations and at catered events.

Eliminate paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils from your break room or kitchen, and provide washable, reusable service ware instead. Reusable dishware is the best environmental option and is almost always cheaper in the long run since they reduce the cost of purchasing and discarding single-use items. Don’t have a budget to buy dishes?  Ask staff to bring in dishes that they are not using at home and stock the employee break room.

If your business has conference rooms or hosts a lot of meetings, you can use reusable dishes instead of disposables there as well. Keep a set of dishes for meetings in an easily accessible spot and set up a system for them to be washed and put away. If your business is interested in comparing sustainable options, the City of Portland offers guidance on purchasing.

22. Rechargeable batteries are used for radios, cameras and other electronic equipment.

Rechargeable batteries can be used over and over, saving you money over time and conserving non-renewable natural resources when compared to conventional, single-use batteries. The amount of materials and resources that go into manufacturing a single battery can be significant, and repeatedly buying single-use batteries only amplifies this problem. Rechargeable batteries are easily available, affordable and reliable, offering a convenient alternative. It’s also a lot easier and cheaper to recycle rechargeable batteries when they expire because of a product stewardship take-back program that includes thousands of free recycling locations .

23. A designated equipment reuse area is in place, such as for office supplies, furniture, electronics, etc.

Office equipment can frequently find a new use, reducing purchasing costs. If your business adds a designated space to store surplus office equipment such as binders, post-it notes, staplers, etc., employees have the opportunity to look for a reuse option before purchasing a new product. If you have too large an amount of surplus to store, there may be donation options. Reach out to Ask Metro to learn about donation and reuse options close to you.

24. Product packaging and shipping materials are reused.

Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are reusable. If your business ships and receives products regularly, consider setting up an area to store these materials for later reuse. In addition to the environmental benefits of reuse, this practice can reduce the amount of materials you must dispose of while reducing your need to purchase new materials. Many shipping companies will also take back clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse. To find a participating location, Ask Metro or inquire with your local shipping company.

25. Surplus items such as furniture, electronics and supplies are donated to charitable organizations.

Your outdated and surplus materials can be put to better use than simply languishing in a storage closet and they may have great value as a reuse alternative for others. The next time you find you have usable materials that you’re not putting to use, check to see if a local reuse organization will take them before you throw them in your garbage or recycling. Ask Metro to find a reuse organization near you (donation/reuse options appear in a seperate tab on Search Results page).

26. High-efficiency electric hand dryers are used in restrooms rather than paper towels.

High-efficiency electric hand dryers are the best environmental option for hand-drying, above paper towels and standard-speed hand dryers. They reduce a business’s paper waste and use far less energy than older models. The City of Portland has guidance on hand dryers and paper towels that can be shared with employees.

27. Modular carpet tiles are used so damaged areas can be replaced as needed.

Modular carpet tiles are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to rolled carpet due to the ease in replacing worn out and damaged sections. By being able to replace only the small areas that need replacing, you can extend the life of your carpet, saving you money while reducing manufacturing and disposal demands. A box of replacement tiles can easily be stored on-site.

28. An annual waste audit is conducted and the results are acted upon.

A waste audit simply helps an organization understand its waste streams and what is ending up where. Contact a Sustainability Advisor to get started. We have kits to check out or staff to assist you. During a waste audit, your Sustainability Advisor can help examine the sources, composition, weight and volume of the materials being thrown away. The results of an audit can help your staff or your green team educate other employees on reducing waste and uncover opportunities to change how materials are managed.

Note which items make up the bulk of your garbage or recycling and set goals to reduce those. Finding a lot of coffee cups? Encouraging your staff to use durable coffee mugs could reduce this substantially. Is a lot of paper going to waste? Setting up double-sided printed could reduce the amount of paper piling up in your recycling bins.

1. A green team or individual has management’s support to implement sustainability efforts.

Just one sustainability champion can make all the difference, but the larger your organization, the more important it is to consider establishing a sustainability group that includes representatives from throughout the organization. This can spread out the work and decision-making responsibilities while giving you a broader base of people who can identify opportunities for improvement. The City of Portland’s Green Team Guide is a great guide to learn how to start a green team and to keep everyone engaged.

Train your green champions. Consider sending champions to attend a Master Recycler or Recycling 101 course to provide members of staff with the skills to improve the resource efficiency of your organization. Your business can also join the Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR), a trade organization that has advanced recycling and waste prevention in Oregon since 1977.

2. New employees are trained on sustainability best practices — including on waste reduction, recycling and commuting options — and all employees are educated at least once a year.

Educating employees on the value of recycling and how to manage materials is a great way to let staff know the importance of the program. A Sustainability Advisor can connect you with resources to help educate staff, such as this e-training tool , which you can forward to staff and/or ask new employees to complete. Be sure to provide new hires with details and directions on your recycling set-up, alternative commuting options, best practices for computer use and printing, etc. It’s helpful to take new employees on a short tour of where certain materials are collected for recycling, where to find bike storage and locker rooms, etc. If you have a written orientation packet, include such information there as well. If, however, you don’t have enough employees to justify orientation materials, consider creating a one-pager with a list of recycling FAQs and sustainability best practices. Examples are available from a Sustainability Advisor.

New employees aren’t the only ones who should hear about your organization’s sustainability practices, however. All of us benefit from a refresher now and then. Make it a practice to review sustainability best practices at least annually, and consider featuring recycling or sustainability training at a staff meeting. Create a space in the break room, or use employee intranet pages and/or a section of your employee newsletter to post articles and information about sustainability-related facts or events. Contact us if you are interested in a short training presentation by our staff.

3. An employee at the management level owns overall responsibility for sustainability efforts.

Management plays a vital role in overall company-wide sustainability. Having management support makes implementing sustainability plans much easier, but if getting upper management buy-in is a challenge, we have tools to help show the business case for sustainability. For instance, many businesses find that sustainability is a key factor in attracting and retaining business talent.

4. Assess and prioritize actions that support the triple bottom line, and track the financial impacts of sustainability activities.

An important consideration in building employee awareness about sustainability is to understand the level of impact that such issues can have on the company and stakeholders. A sustainability program often starts with issues or projects that are of the initial greatest interest to the business and its stakeholders and that offer a good return on investment. However, you can track any aspect related to the triple bottom line, whether it’s about people, planet or profit. Some impacts of taking sustainability actions are easier to track than others. However, any time you can demonstrate the result of sustainability actions, whether it’s helping your business save money through reduced car trips or assisting members of your community in volunteer time, you are further embedding sustainability into how business is run.

5. A social responsibility mission statement has been established and is shared with both employees and the public.

A social responsibility mission statement is one that explicitly ties your company mission to its impacts on people and community. To publicize your commitment to social sustainability, we recommend you revise your mission, vision or value statements to include principles of sustainability, or write a separate statement. For some inspiration, check out some of these examples or email your Sustainability Advisor for some additional examples.

Getting Started:

• Encourage participation and input from all employees. A shared vision helps each employee understand how he or she individually contributes to the company’s success, as well as how everyone contributes collectively. To increase stakeholder engagement, gather a team that represents different levels and departments within your organization, which will help you create a message that resonates with everyone.
• Determine what social sustainability means to your organization. Sustainability is a value-based term. Drill down to the core of the triple bottom line and consider how it relates to your business. You can use the beginning of this guide as a resource.
• Write and post a draft of the statement. After all employees have had a chance to review and discuss it, use this information to refine your organization’s mission statement.

6. A sustainability report reflecting goals and progress is produced and reviewed annually.

A sustainability report is a periodic report that discloses an organization’s approach to, and performance in, sustainability issues. It is a vital component of employee, shareholder and stakeholder relations.

Sustainability reporting requires organizations to gather information about processes and impacts that they may not have measured before. A sustainability report quantifies, measures and tracks environmental and social performance in the same form with which it tracks financial performance: metrics analyzed over time. This new data can provide knowledge necessary to reduce the use of natural resources, increase efficiency and improve operational performance, in addition to creating greater transparency about an organization’s overall performance.

Sustainability is a competitive advantage as well, and it is only becoming more so. Companies seen as leaders and innovators are in a stronger position for attracting customers and investment, initiating new activities, entering new markets and negotiating contracts.

7. Maintain a centralized location or other system for employees to find information on sustainability-related resources.

Create a space in the break room, or use employee intranet pages and a company newsletter to post articles and information about sustainability facts or events. This is a great way to engage employees who want to contribute to your sustainability mission, and to share community resources around sustainability. You can post alternative transportation information, neighborhood hazardous waste collection events, your most current sustainability report if you have one or opportunities to volunteer or give back to local sustainability-related nonprofits.

8. A system is in place to gather employee feedback and suggestions related to sustainability practices and policies.

The best ideas for new sustainability practices oftentimes come from employees who notice opportunities for improvement while going about their typical workday. Employees can identify wasteful practices and opportunities for improving efficiencies, for example, while bringing in outside ideas that enhance your sustainability goals. Asking for feedback encourages employees to take ownership over sustainability practices and demonstrates that everyone is in it together.

9. There are policies in place for sustainable procurement, such as through a green purchasing policy and/or inclusion of sustainability considerations in bids for procurement.

Policies make expected behaviors explicit and promote a set of values related to sustainability. Research has demonstrated that sustainable procurement can yield positive economic benefits for private companies in terms of risk management, cost reduction and revenue growth. While there is no strict definition for how organizations implement sustainable procurement, two commonly used approaches include:

• Examining the life-cycle impacts of specific products used and opting for greener alternatives.   
• Working with product suppliers that meet specific sustainability-related criteria overall, including offering options for green products. You may be surprised to find that many common office supply companies, for instance, offer a comparable green or natural line.

A sustainable procurement policy outlines an organization’s environmentally and socially conscious purchasing practices. It can demonstrate an organization’s support of green, responsible, and local businesses. The benefits of green and sustainable purchasing policies have potential to reach beyond your organization to your local community as well, meaning such policies have the power to drive large-scale environmental changes.

Getting Started:

Make sure to get commitment from upper-level managers before starting. Frame the discussion from their bottom-line concerns if needed. Perhaps point out that environmentally friendly products often cost the same as standard products or could be offset by other resource savings.
Make purchasing a team effort to get buy-in that will help anticipate and overcome any resistance to the changes. Begin with a broad policy if you need to start with something simple. For help drafting your policy, contact a Sustainability Advisor for templates, visit the EPA’s Green Products and Services Guide , or check out some sample sustainable procurement policies .

10. Sustainability-related information and accomplishments are communicated to customers.
Don’t forget to share your accomplishments with customers, partner organizations, and the community. Our recognition program is one way to do this, but you should also take advantage of opportunities your organization already has available: social media, advertising, marketing, etc. It’s a way to acknowledge staff effort and achievement, it will help keep the momentum going, and it may encourage other organizations to make their own changes.

Communicating success stories externally can also further integrate sustainability within an organization. Public stories can appeal to management and other employees for a variety of reasons, and they can make the sustainability projects more meaningful to others. When possible, use illustrative examples or highlight pilot projects, especially if just starting to promote your sustainability initiatives.

11. Located within a high-performance building (LEED, Living Building Challenge, Earth Advantage, etc.) and/or have a green building policy for all new construction and renovations.

Green building certifications are based on scoring methods that rate how efficient buildings are. These certifications incentivize the development of high-performance, efficient buildings at any stage, from renovation to new construction. Certification is based on standards and voluntary guidelines that each specific certification defines and requires. Although there are many different certification opportunities, LEED , Living Building Challenge  and Earth Advantage certifications are among the most well-known.

What we call green building today is increasingly becoming the standard for construction and will only become more prevalent. Choosing to operate in such a certified building today, or setting green building standards for construction projects, demonstrates that your business is committed to operating efficiently while further driving demand for green building in our region.

12. Recognized by other organizations for sustainability initiatives/practices within the last year.
Many other trade groups recognize green business leaders. Examples include: 

• ISO 9001 or 14001
• Green Business Bureau
• B Corp
• EIC Sustainable Event Standards
• Oregon Business Best Green Workplaces

13. A living wage is provided to all employees.

Providing more than just the minimum wage to workers can help ensure that they will be able to provide for themselves and their families. The federal minimum wage is not tied to inflation or adjusted by region. Consequently, many adults earning minimum wage still fall below the federal poverty level. In real terms, the minimum wage has dropped over the decades. As a result, many employers are starting to pay a “living wage” not only to attract and retain talent, but also to help their workers climb out of poverty.

There are online tools that can help with this. The two most commonly used and reputable tools are MIT’s Living Wage Calculator and the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator . These allow you to specify the county or urban area in which your business is located and see that area’s typical expenses, typical wages and the estimated living wage. Many working adults must seek public assistance and/or hold multiple jobs in order to afford to feed, clothe, house and provide medical care for themselves and their families. Paying a living wage reduces employees’ potential need to rely on public assistance or to hold multiple jobs. 

A business best practice guide to sustainable practices.

The practices outlined in this guide are steps your business can take toward resiliency and sustainability. This guide is simply a starting point, however. Ultimately, every business presents a unique situation that requires specific solutions tailored to its needs and circumstances.

Is your business seeking certification through Clackamas County’s Leaders in Sustainability program? Each practice in this guide aligns with a specific practice in the application and provides more context to help you understand and implement that practice or policy. Still, whether or not you are seeking certification, this guide is a resource for any business that wants to adopt more sustainable practices.

Clackamas County Sustainability Advisors support any business in adopting practices that conserve resources, reduce waste and help you advance along a path to sustainability. We can also help you comply with local recycling requirements for businesses. Wherever you are at — from just setting up recycling to renewing your Leaders in Sustainability certification at a higher level — or if you have specific questions about sustainable practices — don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at lis@clackamas.us .

We are here to be a resource for your success!

In 2019 the Board of Commissioners directed staff to develop a countywide Climate Action Plan to determine how the county – both county government and the county as a whole -- could reach carbon neutrality by 2050, as stated in the 2019 Performance Clackamas strategic plan.

Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Meeting this goal would give us a chance to limit warming and avoid the worst impacts of global change. Locally, a zero-emissions way of living and doing business could support a healthier and more economically resilient community.

With community input and invaluable contributions from a Community Advisory Task Force and Youth Advisory Task Force, county staff worked with an expert consultant team to create a draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) and supporting documents that outline goals and strategies that according to the consultants, if implemented, could achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 throughout Clackamas County.

• Draft Climate Action Plan - focused on reducing emissions from buildings, transportation and waste, November 2023
• Draft Implementation Guide - specific actions to carry out the strategies described in the draft CAP, November 2023
• Draft Climate Lens - tool to help staff consider emissions reductions of proposed projects, programs, services and other initiatives, November 2023

Countywide Actions to Combat Climate Change

• County operations greenhouse gas inventory
• First baseline community-wide greenhouse gas inventory
• Identified renewable energy procurement options for county operations
• Initiated process for a low-carbon county fleet and electric vehicle (EV) charging
• Support for innovative mass timber construction
• Offering a climate change presentation for schools 
• Expanded commercial food scraps composting
• Host Repair Fairs for people to repair their broken appliances and tools instead of throwing them out
• Worked with area libraries to create Libraries of Things, where community members can check out items like board games, tools and appliances instead of buying new.
• Provide support for rural broadband so less populated communities can stay connected without needing to drive

Board of County Commissioners-adopted resolutions related to climate change