A proactive response to current energy and environmental awareness involves anticipation and change. Have the foresight to anticipate how your current practices damage the environment and waste energy, then activate a plan for change before detrimental practices become a problem.

To create a proactive response that benefits your business and society, seek advice from a proactive response expert or utilize proactive response information available in books, magazines and on the Internet. Consider the following when implementing proactive response management:

1. Purchasing environmentally friendly products is a proactive response that positively impacts the environment, employees and your budget.

2. Using Energy Star products as a proactive response reduces energy usage and costs.

3. Reducing waste is a proactive response that improves your bottom line, employee safety and society as a whole.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find environmentally friendly products that reflect a proactive response

Environmentally friendly products for business use are easy to find, once you identify suppliers who are aware and concerned about the impact their products have on people and the environment. Choose companies that emphasize products that are recycled and recyclable, reusable and/or durable, non-toxic, biodegradable and energy efficient.

I recommend: Shoplet.com features recycled business products such as furniture, break room accessories, paper products, computer equipment and office equipment. Treecycle features a variety of recycled paper office supplies, including envelopes, binders and stationary.

Participate in the Energy Star program as a proactive response

The EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) Energy Star Program is a government effort to reduce global warming effects. In addition to equipping the office with efficient Energy Star products, consider constructing or remodeling your office and/or office building to gain an Energy Star rating. The benefit of Energy Star participation is two-fold: you'll improve both the environment and your business' bottom line.

I recommend: The Energy Star website offers guidelines for improving energy efficiency, building green and changing your environment for the future. Ricoh Americas, a leader in the industry, develops and provides environmentally friendly office equipment with the Energy Star rating. LowPriceShopper compares prices from a variety of retailers that sell Energy Star products.

Build a proactive response management team with help from experts

Proactive management is necessary to transform all aspects of your business into an earth conscious organization. Employees look to management for proactive response information and proactive response advice, and management sets the example for how a business can become eco-friendly. Rely on proactive management experts to help you develop environmentally friendly practices and get your employees on board.

I recommend: When you're ready to take the step and become known as an energy and environmentally conscious business, make sure you meet the criteria. Waste Management performs assessments to evaluate your current environmental status and offers solutions to improve your business practices. The EarthRight Business Institute (EBI) provides a tier-based structure to help businesses take a proactive stance, develop sustainability managers and become an eco-friendly business. The EI Group offers services to bring your current building or new construction to sustainability compliance, while addressing program management issues.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Becoming a proactive response business that puts people and the environment first, makes it possible to have a place of business in the future--every attention to detail counts. Something as simple as a recycling program makes a difference in our world, so set the example for others and begin to make a difference for today and tomorrow.