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Imagine the Possibilities
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GREEN GUIDE
for
Environmentally Responsible Businesses
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Businesses have a responsibility to the community and the environment. Local business owners should conduct all aspects of their business as responsible stewards of the environment by operating in a manner that protects the natural resources here in the Rock River Valley. Larger corporations are often thought of as the primary environmental offenders, but local businesses must not compromise the ability of future generations to sustain profits.
Here are some policies that Rock Valley College Students In Free Enterprise recommend for businesses to implement to ensure they are environmentally responsible:
PROTECTION OF RESOURCES
Businesses should reduce and make continual progress toward eliminating the release of any substance that may cause environmental damage to the air, water, or the earth or its inhabitants. Ensure that both the human and natural resources will not be negatively affected by your operations.
SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Businesses should make sustainable use of renewable natural resources, such as water, soils and forests. Conserve non-renewable natural resources through efficient use and careful planning.
REDUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES
Businesses should reduce and where possible eliminate waste through source reduction and recycling. All waste should be handled and disposed of through safe and responsible methods.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Businesses should conserve energy and improve the energy efficiency of their internal operations and of the goods and services they sell. Businesses should make every effort to use environmentally safe and sustainable energy sources.
RISK REDUCTION
Businesses should strive to minimize the environmental, health and safety risks to their employees and the communities in which they operate through safe technologies, facilities and operating procedures, and by being prepared for emergencies.
SAFE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Businesses should reduce and where possible eliminate the use, manufacture or sale of products and services that cause environmental damage or health or safety hazards. Businesses should inform their customers of the environmental impacts of their products or services and try to correct unsafe use.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
Businesses should promptly and responsibly correct conditions they have caused that endanger health, safety or the environment. To the extent feasible, businesses should redress injuries they have caused to persons or damage they have caused to the environment and should be responsible for restoring the environment.
INFORMING THE PUBLIC
Businesses should inform in a timely manner everyone who may be affected by conditions caused by their company that might endanger health, safety or the environment. Businesses should regularly seek advice and counsel through dialogue with persons in communities near their facilities. Businesses should not take any action against employees for reporting dangerous incidents or conditions to management or to appropriate authorities.
MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT
Businesses should implement principles that ensure that their business is fully responsible for environmental policy. Businesses should establish themselves in the community as an environmental ethical organization and pledge to go voluntarily beyond the requirements of the law. All business in the Rock River Valley should possess a strong commitment to environmental excellence and to human health and safety.
Schools are businesses that provide a service to the community, though not for a profit. Answer the following questions regarding your school.
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