EcoBizNYC Student Auditor Training 2010

Lower East Side Ecology Centerwww.lesecologycenter.org

(212) 477-4022

Program Overview1.Small Business Sustainability Auditing

Program2.Goals of the Program3.Target Audience4.Program Funding-ConEd Settlement

Fund & CB35.Your Role as EcoBizNYC

Representatives

Community Board 3

East Village, Lower East Side, Chinatown,and Two Bridges

Program Steps1. Intro Meeting-Brainstorm (1 hr)2. Email Audit and Business Fill Out (2 hrs)3. Audit Overview Meeting (1 hr)4. NYSERDA Energy Audit (1.5 hrs)5. Review Recommendations Meeting (1 hr)6. Goals Setting Meeting (30 min)7. Implementing Sustainability for Business8. Business Profile9. Surprise Check-Ins

Step1:Sustainability Brainstorm1. How did you hear about EcoBizNYC? 2. Why are you interested in getting assessed? 3. What does sustainability mean to you and your business? 4. Have you ever been contacted by, or worked with, other environmental initiatives (i.e. consulting

groups, not-for-profits, or government agencies)? If so, which ones? If not, do you know anyone who has? How was the experience?

5. Have you ever attempted to green your business? If so, how? If not, what has prevented you from doing so (i.e. concerns over money, time, lack of knowledge, resources, etc.)?

6. Do you monitor your heat, water, electricity, waste, and/or other bills for cost or usage changes? If so, what have you noticed overtime?

7. Have you ever had an environmental assessment or audit (water/energy/lighting/other)? What is your understanding or previous experience of the assessment process?

8. Do you give consideration to how environmentally friendly your suppliers and service providers are? 9. Have you explored any incentives for greening your business (i.e. tax incentives, rebates, etc). If so,

which ones? If not, are you aware of any particular ones that interest/don’t interest you? 10. Do you have any hesitations or concerns about greening your business or working with EcoBizNYC? If

so, what are they? 11. Do you have any immediate goals in terms of greening your business? If so, what are they?

Audit Areas1.Electricity2.HVAC (heating/cooling systems)3.Water4.Transportation5.Waste6.Procurement7.Retail products8.Greenspace9.Employee training/community outreach

Electricity Main Questions:1. What kinds and number of lights does your business have?2. What other electrical appliances do you have? Making Recommendations:1. Replace your light bulbs with CFLs/Sign up for ConEd’s Targeted Load

Reduction Program to get light upgrades for FREE! There are also many incentives programs available through NYSERDA.

2. Plug all our other electrical appliances into smart power strips that can be turned off in non-business hours to avoid spending extra $ on the “phantom” load.

Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– ConEd Targeted Load Reduction Program, contact Janna Olson.– New York State Energy & Research Development Agency

(NYSERDA) has a variety of energy efficient programs for small businesses in the form of discounts, rebates, and loan programs. See the NYSERDA page in the Incentives/Vendors & Resources.

HVAC (heating and cooling)

Main Questions:1. Do you do anything to trap heat/cool air in your business? Such as

curtains, a winter vestibule, door sweep, or solar film.2. Do you cover or remove your air conditioner in cold weather? Making Recommendations:1. Consider doing some weatherizing to trap heat/cool air inside. You can

caulk your windows, get a door sweep, fill in any holes with foam. These are cheap and easy improvements you can do yourself.

2. Always remove your AC unit from the windows in the winter to keep heat in, and clean it regularly to ensure proper functioning.

Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– You can get basic weatherizing supplies at your local hardware store,

and many in the East Village give discounts to EcoBiz Businesses.– ConEd: Central Air-Conditioning Program, will install, for FREE a

programmable thermostat that allows you to control the temperature.

Water

Main Questions:1. How do you use water in your business operation/facility?2. Do employees/patrons drink bottled or tap water? Making Recommendations:1. Think about how to reduce your water usage. Some options available

are to install low-flow sink and toilet tank aerators, try to clean the sidewalk by sweeping instead of washing with water, and only run appliances that use water when they are full.

2. Encourage employees and customers to drink tap water, this will save 1000’s of plastic bottles per year.

Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– Basic waste reduction supplies like sink aerators are available at your

local hardware store, and many in the East Village give discounts to EcoBiz Businesses

– The NY State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will provide a FREE water audit for businesses, as well as a home water conservation kits. It determines if water fixtures are operating properly and whether upgrades are needed.

Transportation Main Questions:1. How many vehicles does your business use and how often?2. Is there a bike rack in front of your store for employees and

customers? Making Recommendations:1. Try to reduce your dependence on your vehicle. Can you convert to a

biodiesel/hybrid vehicle? Or a tricycle with trailer or delivery bicycles? 2. Make your business eco-transport-friendly by getting a bike rack

installed in front of your store. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– Federal Tax Credits for Advanced Vehicles, state tax incentives for

purchasing an energy efficient car.– NYC Department of Transportation City Racks Program, get a bike

rack installed in front of your business for FREE! Submit your request online or by phone.

Waste Main Questions:1. Do you recycle in your business? Do you recycle your e-waste?2. What do you do with your waste vegetable oil? Making Recommendations:1. Check that you are recycling according to NYC Law, and that you are

properly recycling your e-waste.2. You can recycle your waste vegetable oil for free with our recycling

partner, RWA Resource Recovery. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. NYC Law and the NYC Department of Sanitation mandate that all

food/bar businesses recycle cardboard, metal, glass and plastic, and all other businesses recycle paper. Check with your trash/recycling carter to make sure that you know what you can recycle. You can receive free recycling decals and info from DSNY.

2. Recycle your e-waste with Staples In-Store/Online E-Waste Recycling Program.

3. Free plastic bag recycling at all large grocery stores as mandated by NYC law.

Procurement Office Supplies Main Questions:1. Do you purchase any eco-friendly office supplies? 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Purchase eco-friendly office supplies like recycled copy paper.2. Consider purchasing from a more local supplier. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. Burke Supply carries eco-friendly office and other supplies, and

provides a 20-40% discount for EcoBiz businesses

WHAT DOES ECO-FRIENDLY MEAN? BEWARE OF GREENWASHING Eco-Friendly: Defined by EcoBizNYC 1) Organic OR 2) Biodegradeable OR 3)Non-toxic

AND 4)Recycleable OR over 50% post-consumer Recycled Content Recycleable: any material recyclable by your recycling carter. You should ask your carter

for a detailed list of recyclables. For information on residential recycling in NYC: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/recycling/recycle_what.shtml

Local: Defined by EcoBizNYC using the Council on the Environment's Greenmarket Program standard, as within 200 miles of the 5 Boroughs of NYC

Procurement Cleaning Supplies Main Questions:1. Do you purchase any eco-friendly cleaning supplies? (soap, dish

cleaner, detergent, laundry detergent, bleach) 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Purchase eco-friendly cleaning supplies without harsh chemicals.2. Consider purchasing from a more local supplier. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– Burke Supply carries eco-friendly cleaning and other supplies, and

provides a 20-40% discount for EcoBiz businesses– For a list of recommended cleaning supply brands please see the

Incentives/Vendors/Resources Section.

Procurement Bathroom Supplies

Main Questions:1. Do you purchase any eco-friendly bathroom supplies? 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Purchase eco-friendly bathroom supplies such as recycled toilet paper,

paper towels, and soap/cleaners without harsh chemicals.2. Consider purchasing from a more local supplier. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– Burke Supply carries eco-friendly cleaning and other supplies, and

provides a 20-40% discount for EcoBiz businesses– For a list of recommended cleaning supply brands please see the

Incentives/Vendors/Resources Section.

Procurement To-Go Supplies

Main Questions:1. Do you purchase any eco-friendly to-go supplies? 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Get rid of your to-go supplies and switch to reusable dishes, save $

and the earth!2. Purchase biodegradable to-go supplies like paper boxes, cornstarch

cups, and paper bags. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. Burke Supply carries eco-friendly to-go and other supplies, and

provides a 20-40% discount for EcoBiz businesses.2. For a list of recommended to-go supply brands please see the

Incentives/Vendors/Resources Section.

Retail Products Main Questions:1. Do you purchase any eco-friendly inventory products? 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Purchase eco-friendly inventory. 2. Purchase from more local producers and artisans. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:– Autonomie Project, Inc., receive a 10% discount when becoming a

member of co-op America on fairtrade fashion and footwear items.– Sustainable NYC, eco and fair-trade retail/clothing store that can be a

source of ideas for good eco-friendly brands.

Retail Products Food

Main Questions:1. Do you purchase seasonal and/or local food? 2. Where are your suppliers located? Making Recommendations:1. Purchase seasonal/local food from a local food vendor. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. Organic Direct, a local food vendor that specializes in organic food and

drinks.2. Council on the Environment of NYC: Greenmarket, consider

purchasing from one of the city’s many farmer’s markets, local markets are Tompkins Square Park, Sundays 8 am to 6 pm, and Union Square Greenmarket, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm.

Greenspace Main Questions:1. How much outdoor space do you have (square footage)?2. What percentage is currently planted? Making Recommendations:1. Plant in your outdoor space or get some indoor plants. Plant some

herbs that will be beautiful and you can use in cooking.2. Work with your landlord to put a green roof on your building. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. Million Trees-PlaNYC 2030, request to have a tree planted in front of

your business for FREE! 2. Green Roof Tax Abatement for New York State, plant on 50% or more

of your roof and get a property tax credit of up to $100,000.3. Smart Roofs, LLC will give you a free estimate for putting a greenroof

on your building

Employee Training/Community Outreach

Main Questions:1. Do you include green training workshops or schedules for new

employees? Making Recommendations:1. Hold a training for your employees on recycling/composting/or other

sustainability initiatives.2. Encourage your employees to bike or take public transportation to

work and drink tap water. Main Incentive/Vendor/Resources:1. LESEC can provide you with an outline and coaching for how to lead a

recycling/composting/sustainability workshop for your employees. Business owners and employees are also encouraged to attend our EcoBizNYC Workshops.

2. Sustainable Business Network New York City is a Brooklyn-based environmental not profit that provides workshops, networking opportunities, and membership opportunities for EcoBizNYC members.

ROLE PLAY TIME!!!!