Certification Standards

Packaging

 Bottles, food packaging, paper, plastic.

  • Required:

    • Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.

    • Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on website.

    Preferred:

    • Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.

    • Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.) that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.

  • Required:

    • Made from materials that are substantially better for the environment than comparable ones OR with a process that saves a significant amount of water, heating or electricity.

    • Products made in an efficient manner but from materials such as PVC, vinyl, non-recycled gold or silver, are not allowed for companies evaluated under this standard.

    • If using plastic, material must be eligible for the lowest common- denominator municipal recycling program and language included in how to recycle.

    • Packaging must be either returnable for disposal, recyclable, reusable or compostable.

    • Local sourcing of components or supplies wherever possible.

    Preferred:

    • Ensure that all the packaging materials is itself 100% recyclable.

  • Required:

    • Commitment to sustainable labor practices and continuous improvement and transparency in the process.

    • Country of manufacture disclosed on all products unless everything comes from one country and it is stated clearly on the front page of the website.

    • Code of conduct in place that addresses social and environmental factory conditions with enforcement mechanism.

    • Owned factories have an established worker representation mechanism.

    • Owned factories pay a wage that ensures workers well-being.

    • Commitment to a transparent supply chain including sub-contracting.

    • Long-term contracts with contracted manufacturers.

    Preferred:

    • Owned and/or contracted factories are certified fair labor or fair trade.

    • Owned/contracted factories are unionized.

    • Disclosed factory list publicly available.

    • Factory labor is paid a living a wage.

  • Required:

    • Program in place to reduce emissions from company vehicles.

    • Works with distributors that take steps to reduce emissions from vehicles and shipping.

    Preferred:

    • Company is an EPA SmartWay partner or affiliate.

    • Company Works with distributors who are EPA SmartWay partners or affiliates.

  • Required:

    • Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help.

    • Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules.

    • Pays a wage that ensures employees well-being.

    • Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure, and ensures an inclusive workplace culture.

    • Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place.

    Preferred:

    • Living wage is paid.

    • Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development.

  • Required:

    • Educates consumers on how to properly dispose of product at end of life-cycle (if applicable).

    • Use transparent and truthful marketing.

    • Advocate for green business practices in the packaging industry.

    • Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.

    Preferred:

    • Established take back program for end of product life-cycle.

    • Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs.

  • Required:

    • HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.

    • System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.

    • Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.

    • Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.

    • Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.

    • Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.

    • Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.

    •  Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.

    • Compost all food waste.

    • Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.

    • Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.

    • Use of green or local caterers for events.

    • Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.

    • Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).

    • Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.