To view the
Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Achievement Form,
please click here

Businesses receiving the ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNER designation must meet each of the 8 standards below. New initiatives are strongly encouraged for fulfilling these standards whenever possible, though businesses will be credited for some recent or existing initiatives.

Adopt, post and circulate an "Environmental Partner" policy statement (see attachment), to all employees. Place on your website, if applicable.
Designate an Environmental Team or Representative at your facility to ensure the standards are met.
Conduct an environmental opportunity assessment using the technical assistance services of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Environmental Assistance Office at 1-800-974-9559 or the Small Business Development Center at 1-800-464-7232.
Employ a prevention strategy to eliminate or reduce one form of hazardous or solid waste, a wastewater discharge, or an air emission.
Implement measures to increase energy efficiency.
Employ a reuse or recycling option for three (3) solid or hazardous wastes generated AND purchase, or offer for sale, at least three (3) products which contain recycled resins or fibers (preferably post-consumer) or which substantially reduce packaging waste, or that are non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to supplies previously purchased. Develop Environmentally Preferable Purchasing policy language (see attachment).
Promote the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership by either referring another company to the partnership or by markeing the Partnership through your own Marketing efforts.
Implement at least one of the following Best Management Practices:

Create incentives for ride-sharing or institute a new delivery system to reduce vehicle miles traveled by employees and/or customers.
Adopt and practice groundskeeping/landscaping methods that achieve resource conservation.
Convert from a non-renewable (uranium and fossil fuels) to a renewable energy source (solar, wind, wood, hydro, etc.) for at least a portion of your total energy load.
Conduct regular employee training or create employee incentives to promote waste/pollution prevention, reuse, recycling and resource conservation.
Contribute to a community environmental project that promotes stewardship of the environment.
Notify your customers and the community at large about your efforts to improve environmental management at your facility.
Implement other environmental best management practices or green building practices.
Reduce Carbon Fooprint/Greenhouse Gas emissions (examples: biodiesel for vehicles or heating, heating system efficiency improvements that create emission reductions, installing renewable energy sources [solar hot water, photovoltaics, biomass or windpower] or purchasing renewable energy credits).
Other BMPs

NOTE: The Vermont Business Environmental Partnership is open to all Vermont businesses, manufacturers and service providers. The program is premised on a belief that pollution prevention pays and that environmental excellence can and should be the province of many, not the few. It is presupposed that applicants have made a good faith attempt to comply with environmental, health, and safety regulations. A non-regulatory compliance assistance specialist is available to conduct an on-site visit to determine regulatory standing and, where there may be non-compliance, can suggest strategies for achieving full compliance. The service is provided free of charge by the Environmental Assistance Office by calling (800) 974-9559.

Once Environmental Partner designation is attained, Partners can satisfy additional, more rigorous standards to achieve status as an ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER. Leader designation reflects a higher degree of commitment to pollution prevention, regulatory compliance, and exemplary environmental management practices.