Business is Picking Up relies on businesses who self nominate and choose to be a part of the program.
Businesses who self nominate will be graded on their sustainability efforts and awarded based on their calculated rankings.
A business’ ranking will be calculated based on the following criteria:
Commercial/retail
Possible sustainability efforts:
- Recycling bottles and cans
- Composting food waste
- Paper straws provided only upon request
- No polystyrene used in takeout
- Refillable water bottle stations (malls/office buildings)
- Carpool/subsidized transit available
- Benefits provided for customers who utilize their own reusable bags or coffee cups
Questions we ask of commercial/retail businesses?
- How often is trash emptied outside venue?
- Are dumpsters covered or loose?
Institutional
Possible sustainability efforts:
- Refillable water bottle stations
- Recycled medical waste boxes (Kaiser)
- Recycled paper utilized when available
- Cafeteria food is composted
- Recycling bottles/cans
- Carpool/subsidized transit
Public
Possible sustainability efforts:
- Refillable water bottle stations
- Policies on recycling for functions
- Policies on disposable plastic at public (govt) events
- Sustainable landscaping
Residential
Possible sustainability efforts:
- Trash/waste pickups limited to once a week, robust recycling programs offered
- Food and yard waste is composted as opposed to bagged
- Not buying bottled water unless necessary
- Sustainable landscaping efforts
- Minimal pesticides and herbicides
- Usage of native plants
- Eradication of invasive species if possible
- Use your own cup programs
- Use your own grocery bag programs
- Require residents to pick up pet waste
BIPU’s award levels are as follows:
Yellow
A yellow award indicates a business or organization is taking some great first steps towards being highly sustainable.
Blue
A blue award shows that a business is committed to sustainability, taking steps beyond what is required to be a part of BIPU.
Green
A green award shows that a business considers sustainability a major part of their brand – they have taken drastic steps to become greener and want everyone to know!