GREENTIPS

Fresh, local, organic foods . Make a case for the right to eat as healthily at the company or school cafeteria as you do at home. Selling points

• Benefits to the organization: healthier, happier employees/families; points for good citizenship
• Benefits to the public: better public health, preservation of local farmland, cleaner water and air, less global warming, increased energy independence for the United States

Waste reduction . Many organizations recycle because local ordinances require it, but could be induced to do more, such as replacing in-house print communications with email, using two-sided copiers, reusing packaging and establishing a purchasing policy that favors items with recycled content. Electronics manufacturers should be encouraged to offer take-back programs for their wares. Selling points

• Benefits to the organization: cost savings, points for good citizenship
• Benefits to the public: preservation of resources, less need for landfills and incinerators, safe disposal of toxic materials, cleaner water and air, less global warming pollution, increased energy independence for the United States

Integrated pest management . A good suggestion for any organization, but especially for schools and houses of worship where children are found, is to use integrated pest management (IPM) rather than more conventional -- and poisonous -- means for controlling pests. IPM relies on prevention, habitat modification, development of good soil health and non-toxic strategies as much as possible. Selling points

• Benefits to the organization: more effective pest control, better health for people using the facilities, points for good citizenship
• Benefits to the public: better public health, cleaner water due to reduced toxic runoff Commuter benefits . Propose a commuter benefits program that allows employees to pay for public transit with pre-tax dollars. Some generous for-profit employers can even be persuaded to foot the transit bill and take the tax benefits themselves -- or split the costs and benefits with workers. Other good suggestions include parking cash-outs (where employees get payments in exchange for not using free company parking); carpooling incentives (such as reserved parking spots in the best locations); telecommuting; a guaranteed emergency ride home for transit, vanpool and carpool users; and bike racks and showers for bikers. Selling points
• Benefits to the organization: greater employee satisfaction, safer commutes, less demand for company parking, eligibility for transit grants, less traffic congestion, points for good citizenship
• Benefits to the public: cleaner air, less global warming pollution, increased energy independence for the United States

Green design . Recommend that organizations that are renovating or building new facilities use sustainable strategies that limit sprawl, minimize water and energy usage, preserve natural resources such as wood and protect indoor environmental quality for users of the facility. Selling points

• Benefits to the organization: lower operating and maintenance costs, higher market value, increased productivity and satisfaction for building users, points for good citizenship
• Benefits to the public: preservation of land and resources, cleaner water and air, less global warming pollution, increased energy independence for the United States Though by no means exhaustive, this list has enough, I hope, to get you started. Best of luck, and if you meet with success, tell me about it <mailto:thisgreenlife@nrdc.org> . I'd love to post some case studies one of these days.