Sustainability certifications are generally third party assessments of products where the certifying organization evaluates the products against a number of specific agreed upon standards.  Often these certifications are not required, but may be weighed by customers when comparing their product choices and options. A number of these accreditations focus on the triple bottom line; looking at environmental quality, social quality, and economic prosperity. 

There are wide ranges of certification options that cover a number of varying products including wood, vehicles, buildings, power, and general consumer products. Some of the better-known and prestigious certifications include: ENERGY STAR, WaterSense, Cradle to Cradle Certified, Green Seal, Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified, and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) (See links and descriptions below). 

Why It Matters

Product sustainability certifications can be useful to an organization both in terms of the products they utilize and the products they produce.  Companies should strive to not only create products that can be certified by the varying certification agencies, but companies should also look for materials and office equipment that is already certified.

By purchasing products that are certified organizations are able to save money and perform at more efficient levels. For example, using ENERGY STAR certified computers, printers, break room refrigerators, shedders, and other office electronics requires less energy than non-certified products, thus reducing company costs.  Taking advantage of WaterSense certified products will also help to save money by consuming less water without forcing major retrofits or costs.

Organizations that create sustainable products also benefit from the certification process. Customers and employees alike value organizations that put an emphasis on environmental sustainability.  The knowledge that they are contributing to a company that is socially aware has innumerable influences on individual preferences.  According to a study conducted by McKinsey, large corporations recognition of this preference has actually driven their initial steps toward improved sustainability. [9] Additionally, the ability to earn a certification seal on a product enhances the products marketability and expands potential consumers.

Getting Started

To cut costs and improve sustainability within the office:

1. Identify office products to be replaced by products that are certified as sustainable
2. Research product options and certifications
3. Develop criteria and transition plan for replacement products
4. Make an educated purchase

1.) Identify office products to be replaced by products that are certified as sustainable

Create a list of office supplies that organization should consider replacing with sustainable certified products.  Pay particular attention to computer products, small electronics, paper, and water resources, as there are many different categories of certifications for these types of products.

2.) Research product options and certifications

Investigate environmentally friendly replacement options for office supplies identified in step 1. Compare costs of products and possible savings differences.  These products can be identified through certification websites (ENERGY STAR, for instance, allows users to peruse products that have earned ENERGY STAR qualification)

3.) Develop criteria and transition plan for replacement products

If operating on a tight budget, rather than switching over to environmentally friendly office supplies all at once, it may be more manageable to make the transition slowly. Therefore it is important to identify which office supplies you can afford to replace, or which are most important to replace for energy and utility-saving purposes, to produce the most savings at the lowest cost.  It could be helpful to create a transition map to guide what should be replaced when.

4.) Make an educated purchase

Follow the plan created in Step 3 to implement change to environmentally friendly office supplies. A majority of office supplies stores carry a wide range of environmentally friendly products so be sure to find the product that best suits your business’s needs.

Going Further

Businesses that manufacture products can apply to certify those products.  To certify manufactured products:

1. Research available certifications
2. Identify which certifications can apply to products
3. Follow certification steps for selected method
4. Have product certified

1.) Research available certifications

Utilize the list of certifications included in this article to gather more information about available certifications. 

2.) Identify which certifications can apply to products

After conducting thorough research about the types of certifications, identify certifications that may apply to the products of the organization.  Consider the difficulty of achieving the certification and probability of being able to follow through on the process.

3.) Follow certification steps for selected certification method

After identifying the proper certification method go to the certifying organization and follow the steps and criteria provided on their websites (the links are included for the certification organization listed within the descriptions).

4.)  Certify product

Complete the listed steps and meet criteria set forth.

Case Study

Business of Sustainable Forestry Case Study – Industry Context by Diana Propper De Callejon, Tony Lent, Michael Skelly, and Charles Webster. This case study takes a deeper look at the forest industry—more specifically looking at the pulp and paper industry, engineered wood products, and sawnwood products—and the implications of sustainability certified wood products on the market.

Nike’s environment sustainability proposal

In an effort to improve its environmental impact and decrease its carbon footprint, sports apparel company Nike outsourced the production of retail bags to manufacturer that utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. The bags were printed on FSC certified printers using soy based ink and thus uses the FSC logo on retail bags in the United States and Singapore.[2]

Resources for More Information

Books:

• Certifiably sustainable?: the role of third-party certification systems by Committee on Certification of Sustainable Products and Services, National Research Council

Links:

• ENERGY STAR: An international standard for energy efficient consumer products overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Products such as computers, kitchen appliances, and lighting that are deemed to meet the standards, receive the Energy Star logo. Generally, Energy Star certified products use 20 -30% less energy than required federal standards. [3]
• WaterSense: A program sponsored by the EPA designed to encourage water efficiency in the United States. If a manufacturer creates a product that meets the WaterSense standards, the product will receive the WaterSense label on the product. This demarcation helps consumers to select products that use less water without sacrificing convenience and requiring major changes.
• Cradle-to-Cradle Certified: Utilizes the Cradle-to-Cradle framework to assess a product’s safety to humans and the environmental design for future life cycles. There are multiple levels of certification ranging from basic to platinum based on which requirements are met. Products from any industry that are sold to consumers or other businesses are eligible for this certification.  For more information about Cradle-to-Cardle Certification, see also:
• Cradle-to-Cradle application process
• Cradle-to-Cradle certified products
• Cradle-to-Cradle
• Certified process brochure
• Green Seal: Green Seal provides science-based, independent guidance to organizations and consumers regarding the impacts products have on the environment and human health, in addition to certifying a product’s quality and performance. It takes a life-cycle approach by evaluating a product from raw materials through recycling and disposal of the product. Products that pass the stringent analysis receive the Green Seal, meaning that they perform on par or better as others in its class. For more information, see also Green Seal certification steps and Green Seal Standards
• USDA Organic Certified: A process that certifies food and other agricultural products as organic, meaning “produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” Standards differ by country, in the United States the products made with entirely organic goods are labeled “100% organic”, products that contain 95% organic materials are labeled “organic”, and products that contain a minimum of 70% organic material can be labeled “made with organic ingredients”. The first two categories can display the USDA organic seal. [4]
• Fair Trade Certified: Certifies that products meet environmental, labor, and developmental standards.  Fairtrade International (FLO) oversees the process standards, and FLO-CERT oversees the certification process.  Organizations can apply for licenses to use the Fair Trade Certified Mark for products that meet the FLO standards. [5]
• Rainforest Alliance Certified: Appears on products that meet crop standards that encourage sustainable agriculture and conserve biodiversity. The farms must meet both environmental and social standards to become certified. The certification supports sustainable agriculture, social responsibility and integrated pest management. The Rainforest Alliance is an independent evaluation organization. [6]
• Forest Stewardship Council Certified: FSC promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. The council sets standard and certifies products based on how they are grown and harvested. In order to attain certification, FSC has 10 principles and 56 related criteria, this helps to ensure that forests are managed responsibly. [7]
• Sustainable Forest Initiative: SFI is a third-party certification program that utilizes standards of forestry covering biodiversity, species at risk, sustainable harvest levels, and water quality. [8] SFI has certified more than 181 million acres of land in the United States and Canada. [9] SFI is considered less stringent than FSC certification. [10]
• Sustainability Standards: Links to a number of sustainability standards.
• Greener Choices: Helps identify what product labels mean and provides label report cards.

Conclusion

Changing to use sustainable certified products within the office is an easy and effective technique to begin to improve your businesses sustainability, cost savings, and public perception. Additionally, having your company’s products certified as sustainable will help improve the organizations image and decrease your carbon footprint. Switching to eco-friendly products can help your business and your customers simultaneously.  There are many different certification bodies and standards currently available, so be sure to know which are most applicable and attainable for your business.

Glossary

Carbon footprint.  Set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by organization, event, product, or person

Life Cycle Assessment. Assesses the environmental impact associated with each stage of a product’s life cycle from creation to disposal.

Cradle-to-Cradle. A method of accounting for all the raw materials used to make a product from its input during the manufacturing process to its place in the waste stream.

Organic. Products produced without using modern synthetic inputs such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and are grown in a way that “integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity (USDA.gov).”

[1] Information retrieved from “McKinsey Global Survey Results: The business of sustainability”

[2] Information retrieved from The Swoosh goes green – Environment Sustainability Proposal by Nike

[3] Information retrieved from New York Times articles “If your appliances are avocado, they probably aren’t green” by Alina Tugend published May 10, 2008

[4] Information retrieved from USDA National Organic Program: Organic Standards

[5] Information retrieved from Fair Trade USA

[6] Information retrieved from Rainforest Alliance: Standards for Sustainable Agriculture

[7] Information retrieved from FSC International Standard: FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship

[8] Information retrieved from SFI Standards

[9] Information retrieved from September 2011 SFI Newsletter

[10] Information retrieved from SFC vs. FSI, Architecture Week

Thirteen Businesses in Three States Receive Green Plus Recognition

Four North Carolina Businesses Become Green Plus Certified; Companies in Pennsylvania and Connecticut Complete First Stage of Certification

Thirteen businesses in the Green Plus program were recognized by the Institute for Sustainable Development for their exceptional efforts toward triple bottom line sustainability. Four businesses received full Green Plus certification, and nine were recognized as Green Plus Movers – businesses that have completed the first major step in the Institute’s sustainable small business certification process. Businesses receiving full Green Plus certification included The Redwoods Group, Riley Life Industries, Inc., Bland Landscaping and Zemo Trevathan & Associates.

Laser Plus, a printer and remanufactured toner company, became the first Pennsylvania business to be recognized by the Institute’s Green Plus program. One Minute Green, a sustainability consulting service, became the first Connecticut business to complete phase one of Green Plus certification. Other Green Plus Movers include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Business Class, Inc., Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, Homewood Suites by Hilton, MG Capital Maintenance, One Minute Green, Quality Staffing Specialists, and Springleaf Strategies. (Please see below for a full description of each business or see www.gogreenplus.org).

“Green Plus is a triple bottom line sustainability business certification – Planet plus People plus Performance,” said Chris Carmody, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development. “One of the most exciting things about this new class of Green Plus certified businesses is that they are exceptional in the People part of the triple bottom line.”

Bland Landscaping, for example, requires monthly community service by of all of its senior management and has noteworthy programs to engage all of its employees in the success of its business. “The future of any business will impend on its ability to be a responsible corporate citizen that makes a positive impact on society while earning a profit,” said co-owner Kurt Bland. “Using the Green Plus tools and pursuing the certification, business owners are empowered to better guide their organizations along the path of long term success. We are proud to be part of the most recent Green Plus graduating class,” Bland concluded.

The Redwoods Group, the largest insurer of YMCAs in the country, was one of only fifteen businesses in the country to receive The Wall Street Journal’s Top Small Workplaces award in 2008. Kevin Trapani, President and CEO of The Redwoods Group, said, “We strongly believe that business can and should be a powerful force for positive social change. What I love about Green Plus is that we have to assess the efficacy of our products as well as the robust nature of our profits.”

The Institute for Sustainable Development is a public-private partnership between centers at Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Greater Durham Chambers of Commerce, the Fenwick Foundation and the Foundation for a Sustainable Community. Major corporate supporters include GlaxoSmithKline and Lenovo. The Institute’s overall business plan for Green Plus was commissioned in 2007 by Tony Waldrop, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Center for Sustainable Enterprise at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business developed the plan, and a partnership of centers at UNC, Duke University, chambers of commerce and philanthropic foundations built and tested the program with small businesses in North Carolina and Ohio in 2008. The program was formally launched in North Carolina in February and in Pennsylvania in June.

Green Plus is designed to provide small and medium sized employers with affordable educational tools and university assistance in becoming sustainable, access to a network of peers, and brand support in the form of certification for those organizations with exceptional sustainability performance.  “It has been a wonderful learning and networking process, becoming part of the Green Plus program,” said Zemo Trevathan of Zemo Trevathan & Associates.  “I have been very impressed with the track record the Institute for Sustainable Development has with providing concrete help to companies in fulfilling triple bottom line objectives.”

New Certified Green Plus Businesses

Bland Landscaping

Since 2005, Bland Landscaping has implemented a variety of environmental and social initiatives to reduce costs to the company, improve the lives of its employees, clients, vendors and reduce waste to the environment. Among other environmental initiatives, Bland Landscaping uses hybridized 4-mix engines instead of traditional 2 cycle engines when purchasing handheld tools, has an extensive recycling program, uses vehicles powered by B20 biodiesel, and uses environmentally friendly pesticides.  Bland Landscaping also prides themselves on social initiatives such as mandatory paid community service days each month, cultivation of elementary school gardens, and Habitat for Humanity landscaping projects.  Bland Landscaping is committed to a triple bottom line approach where people, profit, and planet are all equally emphasized.

Riley Life Industries, Inc.

Riley Life’s corporate values are passion, integrity, innovation, and sustainability. Riley Life, located in Durham, NC, provides outsourced service support including order fulfillment, kitting and packaging, product distribution and warehousing to sustainability-minded companies. Riley Life’s business philosophy relies heavily on the triple bottom line of sustainability: social, economic and environmental.

In their own words: “The namesake of Riley Life Industries – Riley Bingham – is a vivacious 2-year-old with her whole life ahead of her. With that in mind, we seek to understand the future implications of our actions by focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of our business. We use 100% recyclable packaging materials, pay for gas for employees who carpool, and partner with sustainability-minded vendors. As a company, we participate in monthly community philanthropic activities and make the schedule available on our website.” While “going green” is generally associated with drinking lattes, wearing sandals with socks and smelling of patchouli oil, we like to think of it as making the world a better place for the cutest little girl on Earth.”

The Redwoods Group

The Redwoods Group, based in Morrisville, North Carolina, is the largest insurer of YMCAs in the country. The Redwoods Group’s motto is Serve Others, and it is dedicated to improving and protecting the communities that it serves.  In the company’s focus statement, President and CEO Kevin Trapani declares, “We strongly believe that business can and should be a powerful force for positive social change.”

The Wall Street Journal and the nonprofit organization Winning Workplaces named The Redwoods Group one of 15 winners of the 2008 Top Small Workplaces award. Redwoods, the first North Carolina company to win this prestigious award, competed against 800 businesses across the nation. The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce selected Redwoods to receive its Smith Seal of North Carolina Sustainable Business Award, part of its 2009 Pinnacle Business Award competition. The company was recognized in April 2009 as a Green Plus Mover, having successfully completed the first phase of certification for Green Plus. The Triangle Business Journal recognized Redwoods as one of the 2008 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle and ranked the company sixth in its list of Top Corporate Philanthropists (first in size). The United Way of North Carolina selected the firm for its 2008 and 2007 Spirit of North Carolina award for Redwoods’ overall commitment to United Way and the community. Redwoods won the 2008 Best Model Campaign Award from the Triangle United Way. The Raleigh News & Observer touted Redwoods as the third “greenest” company in the Triangle for its 2007 environmental efforts. Sustainable North Carolina honored Redwoods with its 2007 Corporate Social Responsibility award.

Zemo Trevathan & Associates

Zemo Trevathan & Associates specializes in sustainability consulting, business value analytics and leadership coaching. Trevathan is known for his ability to create training environments that foster deep trust, collaboration, and effective communication in which team members and individuals uncover new skills and enhance existing ones.  In Zemo’s executive coaching as well as in trainings and team interventions, the focus is on aligning individuals and groups with their own intrinsic values and motivations so they can contribute fully and excel in the endeavors that matter most to them.

New Green Plus Movers

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national professional association of CPAs. It has more than 350,000 members, including CPAs in business and industry, public practice, government, and education; student affiliates; and international associates. The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies; federal, state and local governments; and non-profit organizations; and develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.

The AICPA is one of 16 global accounting bodies holding membership in the Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability Forum.  Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO, and Bob Laux, member of the board of directors, represented the Institute at the Forum’s first event in December 2008 in the United Kingdom.

Business Class

Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Business Class provides resources for managers and business owners who want to boost productivity and morale. “We have a passion for business and making it fun, satisfying and productive for all involved,” says Founder, Jan Bolick. Bolick has combined her experiences as a CEO, general manager, salesperson, leader, follower, organizer, volunteer, fundraiser, teacher, student and parent, to develop customized training and coaching programs to suit the needs of each client.

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center is Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Chatham county’s oldest family-owned tire and auto repair facility. Founded in 1953, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center has woven itself into the fabric of the surrounding community. Over the years, Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center has become the place to go for auto service and tires, and has come to symbolize excellence in tires and auto service.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham-Chapel Hill

Homewood Suites in Durham is an extended stay hotel that is committed to providing excellent service and accommodations to customers as well as setting an example to the industry about outstanding employee and environmental treatment.  Homewood Suites in Durham has recently retrofitted their facilities with energy efficient light bulbs and made a shift to a more environmentally friendly laundry detergent.  Homewood Suites hopes that its triple bottom line approach will serve as both a competitive edge in the hospitality industry as well as an example for other hotel chains to follow.

MG Capital Maintenance

MG Capital Maintenance is a minority owned and operated commercial janitorial company located in Morrisville, NC, that adheres to environmentally responsible cleaning practices by providing chemicals, equipment, paper and other supplies that are certified by the Green Seal and the CRI Green Label Testing Program. MG Capital Maintenance is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. MG Capital Maintenance recognizes that diversity contributes to the bottom line by increasing employee retention, lowering costs by developing skills in-house, and developing a reputation that helps attract new employees. 

Laser Plus

Laser Plus has offered quality recycled toner cartridges for 25 years. Over time Laser Plus has created a unique solid waste savings report, which customers can use internally and externally as proof of efforts they are making to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, last year one of Laser Plus’ insurance companies kept 1,724 pounds of solid waste out of our local landfills at a financial savings of $21,000. Laser Plus is committed to performing well in the profit margins, while treating employees well and doing their part to maintain environmental integrity.

One Minute Green

One Minute Green, based in Connecticut, provides a community web site with information about new green products, businesses, jobs, local green initiatives and projects. One Minute Green also works directly with consumers, small-to-medium sized businesses and organizations to identify cost-effective ways to save money, products and resources by going green.

Quality Staffing Specialists

Quality Staffing Specialists is a full-service staffing agency serving the needs of companies all over the Triangle area of North Carolina. Quality Staffing has grown to become the largest woman owned business in the Triangle. Quality Staffing Specialists began providing temporary help to the Triangle area of North Carolina in 1995. Their Triangle staff has over 122 years cumulative staffing and human resources experience. This, as well as their commitment to service, has led them to become one of the largest independently owned personnel services in the Triangle.

Springleaf Strategies

Springleaf Strategies helps companies to create a sustainability vision and marketing plan. By incorporating sustainability-focused decisions into daily operations, Springleaf Strategies is committed to making a positive impact on the business community. Sustainability is integrated into their mission.  Springleaf Strategies is always asking, “Is this the best alternative for the environment, the community, and the business?”