| Required |
The following four actions are required for ZGreen certification.
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Do not prop open outside doors when heating or cooling the building(s).
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Recycle newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard, and comingled containers (plastic, glass, and aluminum).
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Educate your customers about your environmental efforts and commitment.
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Identify five new environmental goals that your business will achieve this year.
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| Building & Grounds |
| Lighting |
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4
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Replace incandescent exit signs with CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED (light emitting diodes) exit signs.
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4
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Replace appropriate light switches with occupancy sensors.
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5
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Replace interior and/or exterior incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs.
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| Heating & Cooling |
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3
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Install a control system to maximize heating and cooling efficiency.
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4
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Replace conventional thermostats with programmable setback thermostats.
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3
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Turn down water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or less.
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5
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Replace water heater with a smaller, more efficient unit.
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7
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Install an on-site renewable energy system, such as a solar hot water or solar electric system.
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4
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Install more insulation, seal drafty spots, and/or weatherstrip doors and windows.
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5
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Have a professional energy audit.
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| Water Conservation |
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2
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Install low-flow fixtures and/or aerators on faucets.
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3
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Install low-flow showerheads.
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4
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Replace old toilets with new low-flush or dual-flush toilets and/or no-flush urinals, or improve efficiency of existing toilets.
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3
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Replace water-intensive landscaping with native or water-saving landscaping.
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4
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Wash cars or equipment where runoff water flows into a dry well or treated system. Aspen’s storm drains flow directly to the rivers, taking untreated water from our streets into our waterways.
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1
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Clean outdoor areas with a broom instead of a hose.
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2
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Install an auto shut-off device for sprinkler system(s).
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| Land Stewardship |
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4
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Actively take care of and/or protect an area of land (i.e. adopt a highway, park clean up, community garden, trail maintenance, wetland restoration, land revegetation, etc.).
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| Business Operations |
| Purchasing |
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1
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Set printer and copier defaults to print two-sided copies.
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1
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Purchase supplies in bulk to reduce packaging, including office supplies and condiments.
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1
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Reuse packaging and shipping materials.
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1
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Reuse paper for scratch paper and printing.
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2
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Purchase reusable products such as dishes, utensils, and hand towels.
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5
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Purchase at least five post-consumer recycled products for business or supply line - paper, envelopes, napkins, toilet paper, building materials, tissues, paper towels, etc.
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2
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Purchase unbleached paper and other paper products.
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2
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Use non-toxic and/or environmentally-certified cleaning supplies.
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3
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Purchase Energy Star® computers, monitors, printers, commercial appliances (including washers/dryers, fridge), etc.
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3
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Purchase green power from your utility company.
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| Waste Reduction |
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3
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Recycle phone books, printer/toner cartridges, cell phones, hazardous waste, building materials, plastic bags, and batteries.
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4
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Compost food or yard waste.
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| Carbon Reduction Efforts |
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5
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Purchase offsets or carbon reductions for business energy use or travel. One option, Canary Tags, is a local carbon reduction investment program. (www.canarytags.com).
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2
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Turn off printers, monitors, computers, and speakers and install efficiency controls for water coolers and vending machines.
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| Transportation |
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4
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Provide incentives for alternative commuting, such as RFTA bus passes, preferential parking, Commuter Club, flexible work arrangements, financial incentives, etc.
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2
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Create a written policy to do local errands on bike, bus, foot, or electric vehicle.
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5
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Purchase U.S. EPA-certified vehicles for company use or join a carshare program such as www.cartogo.com.
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| Innovation and Education |
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2
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Establish and maintain an employee green team.
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2
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Adopt a written organization-wide sustainability policy.
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2
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Go over environmental practices during staff meetings and train new employees in the business’ greening practices.
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3
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Host or sponsor ZGreen events.
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4
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Have other environmental certifications, such as LEED or Energy Star.
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5
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Implement other innovative business strategies to reduce environmental impacts.
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2
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Get 10% of employees to become ZGreen Citizens. Go to www.aspenzgreen.com.
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