Smart Steps
- 1. SMART STEPS TO SUSTAINABILITYA Guide to Greening Your Small Business
- 2. Five steps to greening your Small Business from Smart Steps to Sustainability
- 3. Step 1. Get ReadyStep 1. Get ReadyAssess your compliance
- 7. Plan appropriately Step 2. Get StartedStep 2. Get Started Create a long-term vision of your sustainable business
- 8. Choose your approach to greening
- 9. Identify the environmental impact of your businessThis step includes worksheets to help you plan strategically. Visit www.epa.gov/osbp/greening.htm to download the worksheets.
- 10. Step 2. Get StartedDefine your green vision
- 11. Step 2. Get StartedEnvironmental and regulatory issues This chart will help you identify outside issues that may affect your company.
- 12. Step 2. Get StartedIdentify your motivation Image Increased profit Customer demand Personal convictions Employee satisfaction Regulatory concerns Add value to the community Inspire innovation Desire to be a leader Energy costs Expand customer base Keep up with the competition Environmental Constraints Company longevity Cost of Compliance
- 13. Step 2. Get StartedPut It all Together Define your vision (where you want to be on the Environmental Performance Ruler)
- 14. Identify top environmental and regulatory issues
- 15. Identify motivators with highest importance
- 16. Describe your vision and long-term objectives
- 17. Plan your approach (formal EMS, other formal approach, Greening Guide steps, ad hoc, other) Assess your impact Step 2. Get StartedTransportation ImpactsEmployee commutingBusiness travelShipping/receivingDelivery services/fleetsair pollution water pollution GHG emissions erosion habitat loss energy use
- 18. Assess your impact Step 2. Get StartedOffice Area ImpactsPaper and suppliesSolid wasteLighting and HVACEquipmentWater usePurchasingCleaningair pollution water pollution GHG emissions toxics resource use energy use waste
- 19. Assess Your Impact Step 2. Get StartedBuilding and Grounds ImpactsWater use MowingLeaf blowingStorm waterPest controlFertilizersair pollution water pollution GHG emissions toxics erosion energy use waste
- 20. Assess your impact Step 2. Get StartedManufacturing and Business ProcessPaper Raw materialSolid and hazardous wasteToxicsLighting and HVACWater useMachineryair pollution water pollution GHG emissions toxics resource use energy use waste habitat loss
- 21. Step 3. Set Goals Step 3. Set GoalsSpecificMeasurableAttainableRelevantTime-boundIdentify SMART goals
- 22. Select and prioritize goals
- 23. Define responsibilitiesStep 4. Go GreenStep 4. Go Green Turn your strategy into Action
- 24. Step 5. Continual Improvement Step 5. ImprovementMeasure progress
- 25. Develop a strategy for updating your goals
- 26. Become more sustainable over timeAs green thinking becomes part of your company culture, you and your employees will begin to recognize countless opportunities to improve your business’ environmental performance.
- 27. Don’t forget to: Include sustainability in all of your decisions and actions
- 29. Be a leader in your industry and community
- 30. Always strive for improvement Copies of the Smart Steps guide and worksheets can be downloaded at:www.epa.gov/osbp/green-pubs.htmFor more information contact:Tiffin Shewmaketshewmake@prizim-inc.com