Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Making Low Hanging Fruit into Pie Chad Cliburn VT DEC / Environmental Assistance Office

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership

Making Low Hanging Fruit into Pie

Chad CliburnVT DEC / Environmental Assistance Office


• Description of the VBEP

• Participation Standards

• Benefits

• Challenges

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP

• Voluntary

• Two-Tiered

• Environmental Assistance

• Business Recognition Program


• VT Department of Environmental Conservation• VT Small Business Development Center

• 1996 Pilot – Printers & Vehicle Service• Green Hotels in the Green Mountain State (50+)• Funding - P2 Grant & State Assistance Funds


Goals:

• Achieve Greater Environmental Performance

• Improve Economic Performance

• Recognize Environmental Excellence


Who Participates?

• Small Businesses Large Companies

• State Facilities

• Other Service Providers

• Ideal for Those That Do Business Locally


Characteristics:

• Participants Thinking Beyond Compliance

• Participants are Likely Adopters

• = Low Hanging Fruit


Environmental Leaders

• EHV Weidmann, St. Johnsbury

Environmental Partners

• Almartin Volvo, Shelburne • Aloha Foundation - Hulbert Outdoor Center, Fairlee • Agency of Transportation, Central Garage, Barre • Cody Chevrolet, Montpelier • Collision Works, Inc., White River Junction • Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury Common • Everest Garage, New Haven • Foley Distributing, Rutland • Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Waterbury • Highgate Welcome Center, Highgate • Hunger Mountain Coop, Montpelier • Isabella's Eatery, Bennington • Journal Press, Inc., Poultney • Lutz MotorWorks, Chelsea • Monty's Auto Repair, East Corinth • Smuggler's Notch Resort, Jeffersonville • Stillwater Graphics, Williamstown • Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe • Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton • The Car Store, Norwich • Vermont Soap Company, Middlebury • Vermont Studio Center, Johnson • Woodlan Tool & Machine, Bellows Falls


How the Program Works…

• Marketing

• Contact Made & Standards Provided

• On-Site Visit Using Achievement Form

• Report Documenting Visit + Completed Achievement Form to Business


How the Program Works (cont.)…

• Achievement Form is Signed & Returned

• Welcome Packet to Business

• Enrolled Members Complete Annual Survey

• Reenroll Every 3 Years


• New Partners Welcome Packet

– Letter from DEC Commissioner– Framed certificate of recognition– Window decal– Service desk card– Floppy disc with VBEP logo– Press release– Link from BEP website to business’ website– Recognition @ Governor’s Award (Leaders)


Marketing Goals:

• Enroll New VBEP Members– Direct mailings– Website– Presentations– Trade associations

• Build Name Recognition for VBEP Program– Press releases– Print ads in business journals & newspapers– Radio spots on VPR– Links to VBEP website from partners’ websites

• Green Marketing for Participants


Other Considerations:

• Addressing Compliance Issues

• Member Resources (EPP + Newsletter)

• Special Initiatives – Considering sector tracks (tailored standards)– BMP diffusion

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Environmental Partner Standards (1 of 2)

1. Environmental Policy Statement

2. Environmental Representative / Team

3. Assessment by VBEP Rep.

4. Eliminate / Reduce One Waste / Discharge / Emission

5. Implement Energy Efficiency Measures

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Environmental Partner Standards (2 of 2)

6. Reuse / Recycle Three Wastes7. Purchase Three EP Products8. Promote VBEP or Act as Resource9. Pick One of Several P2 or BM Practices:

– Green building– Ride Sharing– Landscaping– Storm Water P2– Renewable Energy– Employee Incentives– Community Projects– Public Awareness

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Environmental Leader Standards

1. Become Environmental Partner

2. Develop and Implement EMP / EMS

3. Demonstrate Excellence in Compliance

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Benefits (1 of 2)

• Technical Assistance = Ideas for Additional Improvements at Likely Adopters

• VBEP Staff Learn & Transfer Solutions

• Green Marketing Tools for Participants

• Provides Public With Opportunity to Make “Green” Purchasing Decisions

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Benefits (2 of 2)

• Participants Recognized for Achievements

• Helps Meet Programmatic Goals

• Critical Mass = Pressure for Others in Sector to Join

• Reduce “Non-Regulatory” Environmental Impacts

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Challenges

• Resources

• Building Name Recognition

• Getting New Participants

• Measurement

• Follow-Through from Some Businesses

• Compete with Other Recognition Programs


Chad Cliburn

802-241-3487

Peter Crawford

802-728-1423

Call us if you want to learn more…http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/vbep/index.htm

Documents

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Making Low Hanging Fruit into Pie Chad Cliburn VT DEC / Environmental Assistance Office