Go Green
More and more companies are recognizing that environmentally responsible design and production are an integral part of their mission and the value they want to deliver to their customers. The Green Seal sends a clear message: we care about improving the health and welfare of people and the planet. As more and more businesses have begun to recognize that environmental priorities can be translated into market advantage, they've turned to Green Seal certification to give them a business edge. Requirements: This certification is for businesses that strive to be sustainable in regards to: • Energy Conservation • Water Conservation • Pollution Prevention • Solid Waste Reduction • Green Building Benefits of Green Seal By identifying, certifying, and promoting environmentally responsible products and services, the Green Seal: • Improves the environment by reducing toxic pollution and waste, conserving resources and habitats, and minimizing global warming and ozone depletion • Increases health and wellbeing, particularly in populations most affected by product choice, such as schoolchildren, service staff, and the elderly • Demonstrates to various business segments that environmentally responsible products can improve quality and boost profitability. Green Purchasing and Green Facilities: Green Seal has developed two new pilot programs, the Green Purchasing Partnership and the Green Facilities Partnership. The aims of the pilot partnerships are to provide recognition and, if requested, technical assistance to organizations that are working to implement environmentally preferable practices. The partnerships are not standard-based certification programs; rather, both partnerships provide recognition based on implementation of an action plan that is specific to each partner organization's particular challenges, opportunities and objectives. The pilot partnerships are intended to complement recognized green certification or best-practices programs, such as the US Green Building Council's LEED rating systems. For example, in order to achieve the highest level of the Green Facilities Partnership an organization will be expected to make all reasonable efforts to achieve LEED certification for its operations and maintenance program. Similarly, a partner's action plan could be tailored to support achievement of the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's STARS rating system, for example, or the best practices of the Green Guide for Health Care. Fees: A fee is required for the evaluation of a product or service for certification. The fee is determined based on information provided in the Preliminary Application.
