The Eco-Criteria of:
Primo Water

ECO-PROFILE PART I: MEMBER'S CRITERIA ANSWERS (nine or more required)

  Yes THIS MEMBER

1. WE use high-efficiency lighting approved by Energy Star such as, T8s, T5s, LEDs, CFLs (>75%).
Please identify what lights your organization is using:
Benefits

CLICK HERE TO CALCULATE THE SAVINGS FROM CHANGING YOUR LIGHTBULBS  CALCULATE

 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR PREFERRED LIGHTING: According to ENERGY STAR, energy efficient fluorescents reduce CO2 emissions up to 75% compared to incandescent lighting.  LED lighting can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 95%.  Although this is a statistic relating to households, it provides a good visualization of the impact from changing one bulb: If each household changed one incandescent lightbulb to compact fluorescent, it would be the equivalent of removing 1 million cars off the road.  LED lighting can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 90%.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR PREFERRED LIGHTING:   ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs; last up to 10 times longer;  saves about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime;  produces about 75 percent less heat, making them safer to operate as well as decreases energy costs associated with cooling.   High efficiency light bulbs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, allowing them to fit almost any fixture, both for indoor and outdoor use. 

A small business with less than 1,000 square feet can save upwards of $2,000 in energy costs when they improve their lighting.  Larger corporations are saving upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars by making lighting improvements.  Many states and energy companies are offering rebates and refunds for businesses that are installing high-efficiency lighting.  These rebates and refunds will not be available forever so make sure you take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist.

A LIGHTING CASE STUDY:  Currently a retail business with locations in multiple states is making changes to meet this criteria and participate in UPonGREEN's consumer awareness initiative.  One of the criteria they were most interested in improving was their lighting efficiency.  They contacted ServiceLighting (Service Lighting is UPonGREEN - their information can be found in the RESOURCES button for lighting).  The company asked Service Lighting if they would conduct a free analysis of their current lighting and help them: 1) determine how much it would cost to make changes, 2) identify and take advantage of rebates and refunds available from the government and from the energy companies that serve their locations; 3) determine what their overall cost, payback and savings will be if they make the change, and 4) what the CO2 reductions would be for their business.  Service Lighting provided a comprehensive analysis and cost-savings report which instantly inspired this company to make the change.  BONUS: The amount of money that this business will save from eliminating frequently replacement of the incandescent bulbs and the remarkable reduction in their energy bills, will help supplement a health insurance program for their employees.   Aside from the postive environmental impact and energy savings, changing their lightbulbs also created more loyal and happy employees, reduced turn-over and reduced all of the hard and soft costs associated with hiring and training. 

PROPERLY DISPOSING OF FLUORESCENTS  Please click on the ENERGY STAR logo in the RESOURCES button or contact Service Lighting or any reputable lighting company to learn about proper disposal and recycling of fluorescents.  Consider starting with ENERGY STAR's informative website to learn more about this subject and to learn about the risks associated with mercury.
Resources

Click their logo to view their website. Click the UP logo to view ServiceLighting's ECO PROFILE.

ServiceLighting.com is the internet's first light bulb company. They offer the largest online selection of energy saving fluorescent bulbs and cutting-edge LED lighting products for homes and businesses. ServiceLighting can help qualifying businesses determine the best lighting solutions for their operations and identify rebate, refund and government incentive programs. ServiceLighting also provides many supplementary products, such as light fixtures, flashlights, batteries. 

Click here to calculate the savings from changing your lightbulbs:   CALCULATE

Click the Energy Star logo to learn more about EPA and Energy Star-rated lighting recommendations.

2. WE recycle paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, batteries, electronics and fluorescent lights throughout the company. We also provide recycling containers in public areas.
Please name the recycling company that your organization hires for pickup:
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING:  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - April 2008) less than 35% of households and even fewer businesses recycle (glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics).  When that number reaches 75%, it will be the equivalent of removing 33 million cars from the roadways in the United States not to mention helping preserve our water, trees, soil and other limited natural resources. Nearly every person, family and business can recycle.  As the demand for recycling and recylced products grows, so will the  availability of service and the technology for its processes and purposes.  Recycling is one of the most important and visible actions we can do for the environment.  UPonGREEN promotes the continuous life-cycle of recycling ... creating the demand for recycling and the demand for recycled products.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING:   Recycling can reduce the frequency and the volume of garbage hauling therefore reducing the costs, and also reducing the taxes associated with garbage.  Recycling incurs no taxes and the costs of both recycling and hauling combined is often measurably less than  garbage services without recycling.  National and global studies (Gallup, Good Purpose, Tandberg) reveal more than 85% of consumers state they will switch companies or products to support ones that are more enviornmentally and socially responsible, if given the opportunity.  Green is a marketshare issue. Recycling is a great way to publicly & visually demonstrate that your company cares. Consider branding the recycling bins with your company's logo as a public message ... and get UPonGREEN.  Lastly but not least, Cone Research and others (2007), found that 92% of employees surveyed have an increased positive image of the company they work for when it practices environmentally and socially responsible initiatives such as recycling.  Improved employee relations has been found to decrease employee turnover.  Another bottomline measurement.

RECYCLING CASE STUDY:   UPonGREEN is working with a Waste Reduction Agency which has reduced many small and large business's waste expenses in excess of 35% each month.  Additionally for food related industries, there are grease/oil, organic and food waste recycling service providers that will sometimes pay for a company's food related waste or provide additional hauling savings.  Once a company has made the decision to recycle, they often have a greater awareness of their overall waste stream and find opportunities to reduce over-useage and unnecessary waste, which in turn reduces front-end expenses. 
Resources

Click on the video below to learn more about the importance of recycling!


 

Fast FactsRECYCLING FACTS

(Sources for recycling facts come from the: EPA.gov, earth911.org, swmcb.org, rethinkrecycling.com)

 

Bottles & Cans RecyclingBottles & Cans Recycling

  • Recycling one glass jar saves enough electricity to light a conventional 60-watt bulb for four hours or an 11-watt compact fluorescent bulb for 20 hours.
  • Making glass from recycled material cuts related water pollution by 50 percent.
  • Five plastic soda bottles yield enough fiber for one extra large T-shirt, one square foot of carpet, or enough fiber fill for one ski jacket. NRC – the Conversionator
  • Every three months, Americans landfill enough aluminum to rebuild the entire United States commercial air fleet.
  • Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV or computer for three hours.
  • It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials.
  • Making recycled steel results in a 60 percent energy savings, making recycled plastic results in a 70 percent energy savings, and making recycled glass results in a 40 percent energy savings.
  • The plastic recycling industry provides jobs for more than 52,000 Americans.
  • The average person has the opportunity to recycle more than 25,000 cans in a lifetime. At six ounces of gasoline energy savings per recycled aluminum can, that represents a potential to save the energy contained in nearly 1,200 gallons of gasoline!
  • Using Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (The Twin Cities) as an example for other communities in the U.S.: In 2006, Twin Cities residents recycled over 270,000 tons of plastic, metal, and glass, which resulted in a greenhouse gas emissions reduction equal to that of removing over 125,000 cars from our roads. NRC Calculator
 

Electronics RecyclingElectronics Recycling

  • Americans bought 2.5 million TVs for the 2007 Super Bowl. That’s up from 1.7 million bought for the 2006 Super Bowl. National Retail Federation
  • Worldwide PC sales are projected to total 255.7 million units in 2007, a 10.5 percent increase from 2006. Gartner, Inc.
  • The average lifespan of personal computers has fallen from 4.5 years in 1992 to an estimated 2 years in 2005. EPA
  • In just one year, more than 112 million pounds of valuable materials were recovered from disposed electronics for recycling and reuse. Materials recovered include steel, glass, plastic and precious metals. Earth 911
  • Electronic equipment contains heavy metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed. These include cadmium, lead, and mercury. Earth 911
  • In 2005, US households generated 2.6 million tons of electronics waste. Only 12.6% of this amount was recycled, according to the EPA. EPA
  • Experts estimate that the average household is storing two to three old televisions and computers. EPA
  • Electronics waste already constitutes 2% to 5% of US household garbage and is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in the US. EPA
  • To manufacture one computer and monitor, it takes 530 pounds of fossil fuels, 48 pounds of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water; totaling more than the weight of a rhinoceros. Environment Alert Bulletin, United Nations Environment Programme
  • Using Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (The Twin Cities) as an example for other communities in the U.S.: In 2006, counties in the Twin Cities metro-area collected more than 5 million pounds of electronics waste from households for recycling. Cities in the region collected an additional 700,000 pounds. SWMCB 2006 Annual Results Report
 

Paper RecyclingPaper Recycling

  • Recycled cardboard is used to make new boxes, cereal boxes and other paper packaging. It can even be used to make paper backing for shingles. It’s a bit more work to break those boxes down to fit in the bin, but it’s worth it.
  • Trying to figure out which boxes from the kitchen can be recycled can be confusing. A quick tip: if the product can be stored in the cupboard it’s recyclable. If it goes in the fridge, freezer or microwave it shouldn’t be recycled.
  • About two million tons of magazines and catalogs are produced each year in the U.S., but only about 32% of that is recycled . Magazines, catalogs, and other glossy papers are recyclable – add them to your bins!
  • A piece of paper can be recycled seven to fifteen times before the fibers get too short for making paper. Those fibers are collected and sold to farmers as an additive for enriching the soil.
  • Most Puffs Tissue boxes are made out of your reclaimed telephone books.
  • Twin Cities metro area residents recycle almost 1 million pounds of paper every single day.
  • Recycling paper doesn’t just save trees! Production of recycled paper uses 80 percent less water, 65 percent less energy and produces 95 percent less air pollution than paper production using raw materials.
  • Some people don’t recycle their mail because they are concerned about protecting their identity. However, mail and other papers are no safer in the trash. If you shred your paper, you can still recycle it. Place it in a closed paper bag and label it “shredded paper.”
  • A newspaper is recycled and back in circulation in less than four weeks. Don’t forget that you can recycle the inserts along with the newspaper!
  • The average American household receives about 50 pounds of unsolicited mail each year. Be sure to recycle your unwanted mail, including glossy and colored papers. You can also recycle envelopes with windows.
  • Twenty years ago, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States. As of 2005, over 9,000 curbside recycling programs existed in the U.S . In 2006, Minnesota topped the nation with the highest number of curbside programs. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & RAM
  • When deciding which food boxes are recyclable, a good guide to remember is: If a box can be stored in the cupboard, it is recyclable. If it goes in the refrigerator, freezer, or microwave, it is not. The wax that makes refrigerator, freezer, and microwavable boxes water-resistant poses a problem for recycling.
  • Recycled paper supplies more than 37% of the raw materials used to make new paper products in the U.S. There is an ever growing demand, so every bit counts.
  • Recycling paper doesn’t just save trees! Production of recycled paper uses 80 percent less water, 65 percent less energy and produces 95 percent less air pollution than paper production using raw materials.
  • Using Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (The Twin Cities) as an example for other communities in the U.S.:  186,400 of tons of recyclable paper is thrown away each year by residents in the Twin Cities metro area.
  • Every year, $85 million worth of recyclables are thrown away in Minnesota. It costs MN $45 million to disposing of those discarded recyclables.
  • In 2003, 5,750,000 trees did not get cut down because of paper recycling in Minnesota. Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM)
  • In Minnesota, the recycling industry creates more than 19,000 jobs and creates $3.48 billion in gross economic activity every year . Recycling helps your community in many ways. RAM
  • About 21 percent of Minnesota’s household garbage is recyclable paper. Don’t forget to recycle your mail, office and school paper, magazines and catalogs, cardboard and other boxes, like cereal boxes, shoe boxes and toothpaste boxes.
  • Recycling impacts many important environmental issues of our day, including global warming. In 2006, Twin Cities metro-area residents recycled 1.3 million tons of waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road. Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB)
 

3. WE use post-consumer recycled paper throughout all office printers, fax machines & copiers. What is the percentage of post- consumer content in your office paper?
%
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF CHOOSING POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS:   On average it requires 60% less energy to produce paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials. Producing a ton of virgin paper requires 20 trees and 7,000 more gallons of water than a ton of 100% recycled paper.  Additionally, the greater demand for Post Consumer Recycled Paper, the greater need and demand for recycling the paper.  UPonGREEN promotes the lifecycle of recycling and choosing recycled products. 

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF CHOOSING POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS:  Work toward ‘paperless’ to offset the sometimes higher costs of post consumer recycled paper and to also reduce the expense of toners, ink, equipment, repairs, and disposal. When possible, double-side the paper used in your printers, copy and fax machines and look for equipment that provides that feature automatically.
Resources

Click on the video below to learn more about the importance of buying

post consumer recycled paper!

Click on the logos below to learn more about post consumer recycled paper for your business.

4. WE manage our temperature with an efficient programmable thermostat and we adjust it to 68 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer and reduce it to the greatest energy efficient setting possible during non-labor hours.

Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS:  Less need for heating and air conditioning during non-occupancy times can have a dramatic measurable impact on the environment while having no negative impact on your operations.  And this simple change doesn't required additional effort from your employees.  Set properly each season, ENERGY STAR rated programmable thermostats are effortless environment savers.  

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS:  Installing programmable thermostats is one of the simplest ways of reducing your business's expenses and it requires minimal expense for the programmable unit.  Managing your heating and air conditioning with programmable ENERGY STAR rated thermostats/systems and setting your temperature for greatest energy efficiency (without negatively impacting the productivity of your workforce) can save your company 15% or more in overall energy costs. Also, consider setting your thermostats to even greater efficient settings over weekends and extended non-operating hours.  Click here to learn which are the most energy efficient settings for your type of business or geographical area.

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT CASE STUDY:

 
Resources

Click the logo below to learn more about energy wise temperature management.

5. WE promote the use and/or offer incentives for employees and visitors to use low or no CO2 transportation. Please note any incentives your organization offers to employees using alternative transportation means: . What percentage of your employees are choosing low or no CO2 transportation? %
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF NON-MOTORIZED OR LOW CO2 TRANSPORTATION:  The Department of Health, Education and Welfare has estimated that automobiles account for approximately 48% of the carbon monoxide, 32% of the nitrogen oxides, and 59% of the hydrocarbons in the atmosphere.  None of which are good for our environment or our health.  A bus with as few as seven passengers is more fuel efficient than the average automobile used for commuting. The fuel efficiency of a fully-occupied bus is six times greater than that of the average commuter's automobile, while the fuel efficiency of a fully-occupied rail car is fifteen times greater than that of the average commuter's automobile. A single person who commutes via a transit system instead of driving alone will save 200 gallons of gasoline per year. A 10% nationwide increase in transit ridership would save 135 million gallons of gasoline per year. This fuel efficiency results in personal savings and in a cleaner environment for all.  

A car occupied by one person produces on average 2.06 grams/passenger-mile (g/pm) of nitrogen oxides for work trips. A fully occupied transit bus on the other hand, produces approximately 1.54 g/pm, while a fully occupied rail transit system produces only .47 g/pm for the same distance. Similarly, the car occupied by one person produces 15.06 g/pm of carbon monoxide and 2.09 g/pm of hydrocarbons. The bus produces 3.05 g/pm and .2 g/pm of the same pollutants, respectively. From an environmental point of view, trains and electric powered mass-transit is the best form of motorized transportation.  While of course, walking and biking are the ultimate forms of transportation for our health and our environment.

Choosing fuel efficient cars ... If each car in the U.S. had improved mileage by 2.7 mpg, we would eliminate our dependency entirely from Persian Gulf oil.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF NON-MOTORIZED OR LOW CO2 TRANSPORTATION:   Studies indicate that the amount of income each employee earns is not the most important reason for employee loyalty. Job statisifaction and loyalty comes from the overall environment of the company, care for employees welfare, benefits and the overall reputation of the company.   Companies with an eco-purpose, such as offering incentives for carpooling or mass transportation, can attract high quality, loyal employees, reducing the expenses associated with high turn-over rates.  Also transportation incentives help keep employees on-time.  In addition, offering incentives for employees to bike or walk to work encourages healthier lifestyle choices and consequently healthier employees; which can help keep a company's expenses related to production losses due to illness down.  There are often financial incentives available to companies and employees from health insurance providers who recognize the importance of regular exercise.

INCENTIVES FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES AND/OR CUSTOMERS CAN  INCLUDE simple things such as providing information to employees about biking safety, or  offering secured well-lit bike parking stations, having bike helmet give aways, or incentives with a local car dealer who offers Hybrids or high-mpg vehicles, providing bus or train-pass drawings or discounts, or front door carpool parking.  Or the incentive can be more involved, such as providing locker rooms and shower rooms for non-CO2 commuting employees.  Telecommuting is also a great way to reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions and often reduces traffic/commuting related stress for the employees.
Resources

Click their logo to view their website. Click the UP logo to view Dero's ECO PROFILE.

DERO Bike Rack Co. designs highly functional and stylized rack systems which helps businesses and institutions promote safe and secure biking for their employees and visitors.   In 1995, DERO's founders believed they could build a successful bike parking business if their products were high quality, secure and aesthetically attractive so that architects and planners would integrate them as a visible part of their designs.  They were right.  DERO bike racks are now shipped everywhere across North America as well as to several countries around the globe.

Click on each logo to learn more about no or low CO2 transportation for commuting to work.

 

6. WE hibernate the monitors on our computers after 5 minutes without use and shut the computers down completely during non-work hours. POS and/or unique computer systems that cannot or should not hibernate or shut down are exceptions to this criteria. (Additionally we keep brightness levels on our screens down to a level that is safe & comfortable for our employees' eyes, yet at levels that conserve energy.)
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF HIBERNATING/SHUTTING DOWN COMPUTERS:  500 computers set to hibernate after 5 min during production times and shut down completely during non-working hours will prevent 72.5 tonnes of CO2 from emitting. (It takes 51,000 adult trees to offset 72.5 tonnes of CO2 ).

FINANCIAL BENEFITSOF HIBERNATING/SHUTTING DOWN COMPUTERS:   The above scenario would reduce the business's energy bill $24,000/yr ($.10/kwh).
Resources

Click on the logo below to learn more about hibernating & shutting down your computer(s).

7. WE have removed our name and continues to keep the company off unwanted mailing and catalog lists, which are unnecessary and go unread. (Assign one person in your organization to manage this and to verify the catalog or unwanted-mail company has indeed removed your company's name.)

Benefits
 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF REDUCING/ELIMINATING UNWANTED BULK MAIL:  More than 100 million trees worth of bulk mail is received each year.  That’s the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months.  And most is never opened or looked at.

THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF REDUCING/ELIMINATING UNWANTED BULK MAIL: The services that help your company remove its name from unwanted mailing lists can help save your company expense involved in time spent handling or opening the unwanted mail, expenses related to disposal or recycling the mailings (heavy catalogs especially).

IF DIRECT MAILINGS ARE PART OF YOUR BUSINESS'S MARKETING, CONSIDER THIS:  There are new services evolving that help your company more precisely target audiences who are interested in your offerings, helping your company reduce the enormous expense of flock-shoot marketing.  These companies can help you reduce your printing, handling, mailing, and postage fees associated with direct mail by making sure that your mailings are "bullseyes", therefore helping your company earn a higher rate of response and return on its mailings. But also consider more effective forms of electronic marketing ... give your customers an incentive to recieve your promotions & announcements by email!  It is the future ...  best to learn how to capture the benefits from electronic marketing now. The next generation of your customers are 'living' online.
Resources

Click on the logos below to learn more about eliminating the delivery of unwanted yellow pages, catalogs and junk mail coming into your office.

8. WE maintain plumbing to prevent leaks, drips and overall water waste.  When possible, we will replace older fixtures with water conserving low-flow/high-pressure fixtures.

 
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING PLUMBING & CHOOSING EFFICIENT FIXTURES:  One dripping faucet can waste 2,000 gallons a year.  The Environmental Protection Agency reports that at least 36 of the 50 states will experience local, regional or statewide water shortage by 2013. Each day the average American spends 100 to 176 gallons of water.  In many countries people survive on less than 5 gallons per day.  Look for all of the ways your business can conserve this precious natural resource. 

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING PLUMBING & CHOOSING EFFICIENT FIXTURES:  Maintaining plumbing to prevent drips, leaks and running toilets can help a company save the expense of: wasted water, increasingly problematic plumbing and related issues such as damaged sheet rock, structural  decay, tile, mold, health issues...  Additionally, poor plumbing sends a negative message to your employees and customers which can result in decreased respect for other areas of your business and/or lower revenues.   Consider installing low flow/high pressure fixtures to conserve the water and your dollars even more.  The rate of return is generally quick and worth the investment  Don't forget to recycle old plumbing fixtures and hardware.  Look for opportunities throughout your business to be more water-wise.  You'll be amazed at the opportunities to save water and your financial resources.  Lastly, pay attention to what your business puts down the drain.
Resources

Click on the logo below to learn more about conserving water in your business.

9. WE offer and promote drinking water for employees and guests that isn't packaged or shipped in petroleum-based plastic.

 
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ELIMINATING OR REDUCING PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER:  With the exception of a new product entering the marketplace, all plastic bottles are petroleum based, making them difficult to recycle but worse to decompose.  In 2007 more than 30 billion bottles went into landfills, up 17% from the previous year.  Hard-lined filtered water dispensers eliminate most: production, packaging, distribution, disposal issues related to single serving and 5-gallon water bottles.  

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF ELIMINATING OR REDUCING PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER:  Hard-lined filtered water systems can save your company 20-70% vs. five-gallon jugs or individual bottles. 
Resources

Click the Primo bottle to enter their website. Click the UP logo to view Primo's ECO PROFILE

These water bottles are made from plants, not crude oil.  Primo offers single serving bottled water with a bottle made from 100% annually renewable plants.  Click here for FAQs about this vegetable based plastic:  FAQs  Nearly all other plastic bottles made in the United States are manufactured from petroleum, a non-renewable and diminishing resource.  Click here to learn where to purchase Primo:  Where can I buy Primo?  Click here to learn about their renewable attributes and what is the most preferred recycling process for these bottles:  Renew your bottles.

 

Click on the logo below to learn more about choosing bottleless drinking water for your business.

10. WE buy locally whenever possible (within a 100 mile radius).

 
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS: Sourcing your products locally improves the link between creation to use/consumption which has infinite environmental and natural resource benefits.  These benefits include improved quality of water, air, soil and our health. 

FINANCIAL BENEFITS: Sourcing your products or services from local businesses can help reduce your purchasing costs and can stimulate your local economy.   Locally sourced products can instill loyalty in your customer base and provide reciprocal opportunities between small businesses and the vendors, and large corporations and their community.
Resources

Click on the logo below to learn more about buying locally.

11. WE offer and/or buy organic, natural, sustainable, and/or renewable products and continue to look for ways to do so (> 20%).

 
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, RENEWABLE, NATURAL PRODUCTS:  By increasing useage and demand of sustainable, natural and/or organic products we reduce dependence on non-renewable resources which tend to be harmful in their production and cause numerous harmful by-products.  Organic and natural products have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than processed or synthetically enhanced ingredients.  These products are good for the environment and good for our health.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, RENEWABLE, NATURAL PRODUCTS: There are increasing demands for healthier products and that demand is making the prices for such products more competitive.  The market for 'greening' products is increasing faster than any other category in the marketplace.  The future of our economy will reside with a balance between "good for the environment and good for the pocket-book".  With the advancement of this emerging 'green' industry comes new jobs and a reduced reliance on off-shore suppliers ... while never losing sight of the global economy.   It is the quintessencial sustainable economic stimulus package of our time, if we capture it.
Resources

Click their logo to view their website. Click the UP logo to view Wild Harvest's ECO PROFILE

Wild Harvest products are produced without preservatives or manufactured enhancers, you’ll never find an unpronounceable word in their ingredients.  Wild Harvest's wide selection of products are created with one philosophy in mind - simply food ... natural, delicious and affordable.  Organic Farming means moving away from synthetic pesticides and herbicides and towards natural, sustainable agriculture.  Organic foods help sustain small farms and safeguard the environment by protecting the earth's soil and preserving water quality.  Soil fed with organic matter produces healthy, nutrient-rich plants. Naturally, flavor would follow.  

Click on the logos below to learn more about organics, sustainable and renewable products:

12. WE encourage our employees, suppliers and others to meet the UPonGREEN criteria and participate in this public awareness initiative by becoming UPonGREEN members.

 
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS & COMPANIES TO GET UPONGREEN: Encouraging your employees, suppliers and/or customers to meet this baseline creates exponential environmental progress in every regard. Mainstreaming these basic actions will measurably improve our impact on the environment and prepare us for the next level of progress.  The current disorganization and chaos of 'green' is hindering progress.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS & COMPANIES TO GET UPONGREEN: Green is a market share issue. In multiple studies such as Cone Research, Gallup, GoodPurpose, Tandberg, (2007) 92% of employees surveyed have an increased positive image of the company they work for when it practices environmentally and socially responsible initiatives. Improved employee relations, result in a decrease in employee turnover.  Additionally, more than 85% of consumers surveyed stated they will switch companies or products to support ones that are more enviornmentally and socially responsible if given the opportunity.  UPonGREEN can help your company not only reduce expenses through these basic environmental intiatives, but it can also effortlessly help your business earn marketshare and become an EcoHero by inspiring others to do the same. 
Resources

Encourage your employees, customers & suppliers to get UPonGREEN and be part of the solution.

13. WE have received an energy audit within the past 24 months to help ensure maximum efficiency in its energy usage. Please list the organization that performed the energy audit for your organization and the month/year of the audit:
Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF AN ENERGY AUDIT: If each company received an audit and implemented minor changes, the US could reduce national CO2 emissions by 15% or more.   

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF AN ENERGY AUDIT: Audits often detect energy saving opportunities that haven’t been realized by the business and can often find energy savings in excess of 15-20% for each company.  Many energy specialists and auditors have access to information that businesses of all size may not be aware of such as rebates, refunds, grants, and federal assistance to make improvements.   These opportunities will not exist forever so it is important for businesses and organizations to take advantage of them while they are available.  Check with your local energy company for more information relating to audits, incentives and rebates.
Resources

Click on this logo to learn more about energy saving opportunities for your business.

14. WE donate and/or volunteer for social and/or environmental betterment organizations.
Please list organizations that your organization supports.
Benefits

ECO-SOCIAL BENEFITS OF GIVING: The influence of a businsses good efforts through monetary, goods or time donations generates a win for the benefactor and a win for the entire cause due to the exposure & awareness that company can generate for the cause ... above and beyond the gift(s) given.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF GIVING: Studies indicate that a company's social and eco-reputations positively influence their employee retention, market share, reputation in the community and consumer loyalty ... all of which directly related to reduced expenses, more dependable earnings and increase revenues.
Resources

Click on this logo to learn more about charitable organizations.
 

Please note whether your organization donates and/or volunteers:

15. THIS MEMBER USES & PROMOTES THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS