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

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP Participation Standards Benefits Challenges

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP Voluntary Two-Tiered Environmental Assistance Business Recognition Program

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP 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

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP Goals: Achieve Greater Environmental Performance Improve Economic Performance Recognize Environmental Excellence

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP Who Participates? Small Businesses   Large Companies State Facilities Other Service Providers Ideal for Those That Do Business Locally

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP Characteristics: Participants Thinking Beyond Compliance Participants are Likely Adopters = Low Hanging Fruit

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP 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

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP How the Program Works… Marketing Contact Made & Standards Provided On-Site Visit Using Achievement Form Report Documenting Visit + Completed Achievement Form to Business

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP How the Program Works (cont.)… Achievement Form is Signed & Returned Welcome Packet to Business Enrolled Members Complete Annual Survey Reenroll Every 3 Years

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP 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 Governor’s Award (Leaders)

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP 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

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Description of the VBEP 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 Wastes 7.Purchase Three EP Products 8.Promote VBEP or Act as Resource 9.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

Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Chad Cliburn Peter Crawford Call us if you want to learn more…