Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Green Business

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce is taking steps to establish the Lake Tahoe basin as an environmental business powerhouse and world sustainability leader. We also seek to encourage best practices that inspire our members and the community with the vision and means to improve our local economy and environment. We aim to achieve a vibrant economy and ensure a sustainable future.

January 2010: American Chiller Service will be presenting an overview on Smardt Chillers and Turbocor Technology on January 12, 2010 at Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe.

For more information and to RSVP, please call Ken Putman at 775.322.9900.

November 2009: A sustainability workshop on green lodging was held on November 17, 2009 at Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe. Speakers included Christopher Minnes, 968 Park Hotel; Kelly May, CA Green Lodging Program; Rick West, NuTek International; Chuck Smith, Genesis Solar.

August 2009: Press Release

Footprints

Use these calculators to determine your carbon and resources footprint as a business, as a person, and as a resident of planet earth.

Global Footprint Network

How much land area does it take to support your lifestyle? Take this quiz to find out your Ecological Footprint, discover your biggest areas of resource consumption, and learn what you can do to tread more lightly on the earth.

Website: http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

The Nature Conservancy

Use The Nature Conservancy's carbon footprint calculator to measure your impact on our climate. Their carbon footprint calculator estimates how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases your choices create each year.

Website: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

H2O Conserve

The H2O Conserve Water Calculator is an interactive tool designed to help you figure out how much water you use, how you use it and how you can use less. The Calculator gives you an estimate of the total amount of water you use, what is called your water footprint. The Calculator takes into account not only the water used in your home, but also the water used to produce the food you eat and the products you buy. Your water footprint includes other factors such as water utilized to cool power plants that provide your electricity, and water saved when you recycle. You may not drink, feel or see this water, but it makes up the great majority of your water footprint.

Website: http://www.h2oconserve.org/wc_disclaimer.php

Paper Usage

This tool will help you quantify the benefits of better paper choices. The Paper Calculator shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle.

Website: http://www.edf.org/papercalculator/

Personal Emissions

Calculate the environmental impact score for your household, and view great green projects for your home.

Website: http://www.lowimpactliving.com/scores

Additional Calculators

EPA's Personal Greenhouse Gas Calculator
EPA's Personal Wheel Card Greenhouse Gas Calculator
Individual Emission Calculators
Home and Business Calculators
Alternative Energy Calculators
Car and Truck Emission Calculators
Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Climate Change Calculator
SafeClimate Carbon Dioxide Footprint Calculator
Personal CO2 Calculation
CarbonCounter
Business Energy Analyzer
Home Energy Saver
Home Analyzer
Home Energy Checkup

Website: http://www.recyclingcenters.org/ecological_footprint_calculators.php

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

While large scale efforts to protect the environment are necessary to effect change on a global scale, we can all take steps in our own small businesses and personal lives to impact our local environment. Think globally, act locally!

Reduce

Reduce your overall consumption of resources.

Reduce energy usage in lighting and heating/cooling systems.
Reduce your use of packaging or switch to environmentally-friendly packaging.
Consider packaging when making purchases for your business.

Reuse

Reuse when and where you can.
Buy recycled products from local businesses wherever possible.

Recycle

Recycle your operational waste.

Set your business up for success with clearly marked recycle containers.
Buy post-consumer and recycled content when and where you can.

Green Business Cooperative

Objectives of the Green Business Cooperative

To create a community that encourages participation and cooperation in environmentally-conscious business practices
To share best practices
To enable businesses to evaluate opportunities with economies of scale
To provide incentives to businesses to be active participants in the environmental conservation of our communities
To provide assistance to businesses in need

Application Process

We are NOT a certification or enforcement program. To participate in the program, we request that you evaluate your business practices and policies with regard to energy usage, purchasing practices, waste management, recycling, and other aspects of environmental stewardship and then provide two recent examples of operational processes from each category of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. If you are taking steps to conserve natural resources, prevent pollution and reduce waste, you may already be a Green Business!

Incentives

The following green business incentives are available:

Sierra Pacific

Sierra Pacific has residential and business rebate programs for both Nevada and California.

Website: www.sierrapacific.com/conservation/

South Tahoe Public Utility District

The South Tahoe Public Utility District coordinates two incentive programs:

Water Upon Request program for restaurants
Linen/Towel Reuse program for hotels with free materials offered such as door hangers and pillow cards.

Website: www.stpud.us

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce presents an annual Blue Ribbon Awards Program in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. The Green Award recognizes a person or business that has made an effort to significantly improve and protect our environment by implementing a green service or program.

How the Chamber will promote your green business:

Include a listing online at www.tahoechamber.org in the Green Business Directory
Provide you with the Green South Shore Initiative logo for use on your collateral materials
Include your business in the quarterly Blue Business Review as well as the monthly e-newsletter
Include your business in a press release regarding Green Businesses
Include your business in the LTSSCC Business Resource Directory

Website: www.tahoechamber.org

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency presents an annual "Best in the Basin Award" recognizing outstanding projects demonstrating careful planning, comprehensive design, and environmental compatibility. Please contact Dennis Oliver via email for more information at doliver@trpa.org.

Website: www.trpa.org

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Website: www.dsireusa.org

Pacific Gas & Electric

PG&E provides tools and information for homes and businesses:

Energy Analyzers & Audits
Rebates and Incentives
Solar Energy
Incentives by Industry/Company
Demand Response Programs
Self-Generation Incentive Program

Website: www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/

Flex Your Power

Flex Your Power is California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign. Initiated in 2001, Flex Your Power is a partnership of California's utilities, residents, businesses, institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working to save energy.

Flex Your Power provides a directory by zip code of financial incentives and technical help for energy-efficient appliances, equipment, lighting and buildings.

Website: www.fypower.org/com/tools/rgl.html

Green California

Green California is a gateway to the latest information about how the state of California is working to reduce energy and resource consumption in public buildings, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and creating healthier environments in which to work, live and learn.

A directory of rebates and incentives from California utilities is available.

Website: www.green.ca.gov/EnergyPrograms/Rebates.htm

U.S. Department of Energy

The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides extensive information on various energy technologies, rebates and incentives, including: biomass, building, geothermal, hydrogen & fuel cells, industrial, solar, vehicle, weatherization, wind and hydropower.

Website:

Main: www.eere.energy.gov/
Rebates: www.eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/rebates.cfm
Incentives: apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/tax_incentives.cfm

Energy Star

To encourage customers to buy energy efficient products, Energy Star partners occasionally sponsor special offers, such as sales tax exemptions or credits, or rebates on qualified products. Energy Star provides a directory by zip code of special offers and rebates on appliances, fans, HVAC, home electonics, lighting products, office equipment and water heaters.

Website: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator

Resources

Hospitality & Tourism Industry

Average sized hotels purchase more products in one week than 100 families do in a year.
Waste generation can be as high as 30 pounds per day; as much as 80 percent of these materials are recyclable.
Typical hotels use 218 gallons of water per day per occupied room.
Water efficient fixtures can reduce water and sewer bills by 25 – 30 percent.
Two percent of California’s food waste comes from the hotel and lodging industry (112,000 tons per year).

California Green Lodging Program

The California Green Lodging Program brings together the lodging industry and state and government workers encouraging travelers to use enrolled hotels for both pleasure and business. Watch for trends from California for state employees in the future to potentially require stays in green hotels.

Website: www.ciwmb.ca.gov
Hotel Participant List: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/EPP/GreenLodging/Directory

EnergyStar Hospitality Partners

Partnering with ENERGY STAR is a commitment the financial value of your corporation as well as to the environment.

Make Strong Energy Performance Your Competitive Advantage:

Reducing energy use by 10 percent across the hospitality industry would save $285 million.
A 10 percent reduction in energy costs is equivalent to increasing ADR by $0.83 for limited service hotels and by $2.45 for full-service hotels.
Strategic energy management can reduce costs and increase guest satisfaction.

Website: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=hospitality.bus_hospitality

EPA, through its ENERGY STAR® program, provides partners with guidelines for superior energy management built on the practices of industry leaders. Use these guidelines to increase profits, enhance the comfort of your guests, and focus more resources on meeting your business objectives.

PDF: Hospitality Factsheet

Use the Quick Reference Guide to rate your energy performance.

PDF: Quick Reference Guide Hotels

Learn how service providers can offer energy management solutions for hospitality.

PDF: Energy Solutions Hospitality

Simple things you can do to create a more energy efficient world at home and at work.

PDF: At-Work Tips for Hotel Employees

Energy-Saving Tips for Lodging

PDF: Energy Saving Tips

List of Energy Star Labeled Hotels

Website: http://www.energystar.gov/

American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute

The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute provides energy conservation products, resources and hospitality links.

Website: http://www.ei-ahla.org/content.aspx?id=21198

Green Hotels Association

The Green Hotels Association provides a comprehensive list of practical information and ideas to paying members. A shorter complimentary list is available on the site.

Website: www.greenhotels.com

Green Lodging News

Green Lodging News is an environmental news source and directory for the lodging industry, providing information on energy and waste management, water conservation heating/cooling, cleaning and maintenance, air quality and green design.

Website: http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/

Green Lodging Case Studies:

PDF: Cedar House

PDF: Doubletree

PDF: Efficient Laundry at Hilton Americas

PDF: Fairmont Hotel

PDF: Orchard Garden Hotel

PDF: Rosen Hotels

Website: River Run Bed & Breakfast

Website: Thomas Mott Homestead Bed & Breakfast

Website: Williams Inn

Restaurants

Boosting Restaurant Profits with Energy Efficiency: A Guide for Restaurant Owners and Managers

PDF: Restaurant Efficiency

Putting Energy into Profits: Energy Star Guide for Restaurants

PDF: Restaurant Guide

By becoming more energy efficient restaurants can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve their financial bottom line.

PDF: Restaurant Factsheet

Restaurant Case Studies:
Studies include: Reedville, Rivoli, Homemade Café, Zatar, Jose O’Shea’s Café, Basil Bandwagon, Thomas and Mott Bed and Breakfast.

PDF: Restaurant Case Studies

Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas

This joint effort of the Rainforest Alliance and the International Ecotourism Society links five different green certification programs in the Americas.

Website: www.eco-indextourism.org

Green Globe

Based on stringent guidelines Green Globe certifies properties in more than 80 countries. Green Globe delivers the best travel and tourism benchmarking and certification products and services.

Website: www.greenglobe.org

Green Seal Certification

This organization charges a fee for completing a comprehensive certification of your property which then authorizes you to use the Green Seal in your marketing efforts. Green Seal sets environmental standards and certifies products that meet those standards.

Website: www.greenseal.org

Resources for Local Green Products & Services

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Green California

Building Green, Buying Green, Working Green: California’s Department of General Services
This site provides information on Green Lodging, Green Building, Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels.

Website: www.green.ca.gov

Resource Guide for Environmentally Preferable Products

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing protects our environment and our health. Things to consider: how a product is made, its materials' environmental attributes such as energy consumption, toxicity, air and water pollution impact, materials efficiency (such as packaging), and the disposal impact at the end of its useful life.

Website: http://www.StopWaste.Org/EPP

PDF: Resource Guide

U.S. EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program is a federal program that encourages and assists agencies in the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services.

Website: http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/about/about.htm

U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines is the EPA's effort to promote the use of recycled products to federal agencies and others. Product fact sheets on this website give suggested minimums for the amount of recycled content in different types of products.

Website: http://www.epa.gov/cpg

State of California EPP (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) Program & Best Practices Manual from the Department of General Services and CalEPA. The web resources and Best Practices. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment as compared to other goods and services serving the same purpose.

Website: http://www.green.ca.gov/EPP

PDF: EPP Brochure

Recycled Content Product Directory Database

The California Integrated Waste Management Board provides access to information on recycled content products as well as the manufacturers, distributors, reprocessors, mills, and converters that manufacture or supply these products or the recycled materials to make them.

Website: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/rcp

The State of California would like to thank the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota for its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide, which served as a valuable resource in the development of the EPP Best Practices Manual.

Website: http://www.greenguardian.com

Green Building

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The U. S. Green Building Council created this program to certify that buildings meet standards of energy, efficiency, conservation and community sensitivity. New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell, Schools, LEED for Retail, Healthcare, LEED for Homes and Neighborhood Development.

Website: www.usgbc.org

Website: www.greenhomeguide.org

Residential Remodeling Guidelines

PDF: USGBC Guidelines

Sierra Green Building Association
SIGBA’s mission is to inspire, educate, and empower consumers to pursue green building alternatives, as well as promoting our local green businesses and services.

Phone: 877.744.2248

Website: www.sigba.org

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Resources for consumers and professionals interested in the home building industry.

Website: www.nahb.org

PDF: Green Home Building Guidelines

Build it Green
Build It Green is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in California. This site provides comprehensive information for new construction and remodeling projects.

Website: www.builditgreen.org

PDF: New Construction Guidelines

PDF: Remodeling Guidelines

PDF: MultiFamily Guidelines 1

PDF: MultiFamily Guidelines 2

Fuel-Efficient Automobiles

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
The ACEEE helps buyers select a vehicle that is friendly to the planet while meeting their transportation needs. Based on official emissions and fuel economy tests, and other specifications reported by auto manufacturers, GreenerCars calculates a Green Score for each car, minivan, pickup, and SUV on the market.

Website: www.GreenerCars.com

Hybrid Cars
Auto alternatives for the 21st Century - part web journal, part online community, and part hybrid market research organization providing consumer information on the latest hybrid technology. Search by Make, Body Type and Technology.

Website: www.hybridcars.com

Recycling & Energy Use

South Tahoe Refuse
South Tahoe Refuse is dedicated to providing reliable and efficient collection of solid waste for the citizens, visitors and businesses in the South Lake Tahoe area. Recyclables should be sorted and free of contamination. Go to website for details on how to recycle glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, remodeling and construction waste, etc.

Address: 2140 Ruth Avenue, South Lake Tahoe

Phone: 530.541.5105

Website: www.southtahoerefuse.com

Materials Recovery Facility Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8AM - 5PM

Hazardous Waste Facility Hours: Tuesday & Saturday, 9AM - 4PM

Recycled Products Cooperative
The cooperative offers recycled paper and environmentally friendly office products at reduced prices by leveraging the purchasing power of Co-op members (membership is free).

Website: www.recycledproducts.org

ReThink Recycling
ReThink Recycling (formerly Green Guardian) is a go to guide for waste and recycling.

Website: www.rethinkrecycling.com

Flex Your Power
Consumer energy saving ideas for home, business and government. Flex Your Power is California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign.

Website: www.flexyourpower.org

Business Operations

Create a more efficient workplace, buy better office products with the Green Office Guide.

PDF: Green Office Guide

Safe Household Products & Reducing Toxins

The Household Products Database is a part of the National Library of Medicine and links over 6,000 consumer brands to health effects from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and allows scientists and consumers to research products based on chemical ingredients. The database is designed to help answer questions about products and their chemical ingredients.

Website: http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

Building Maintenance

Cleaning Products & Best Practices Manual

Website: http://www.green.ca.gov/EPP/building/cleaning.htm

StopWaste.org
Energy efficiency is the cornerstone of green maintenance. Improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources improves air quality and reduces the impacts of global warming. This guide includes considerations for selecting and purchasing environmentally preferable products in building maintenance. Practical, effective operation and maintenance strategies for energy efficiency, conserving natural resources and protecting indoor air quality.