DRAFT: Business Sustainability in Lexington

Sustainable Business Survey- Lexington, MA

This survey hopes to capture your thoughts on sustainable business practices. We value your input and would like to better understand your level of interest in sustainability.

Implementing sustainable practices can be beneficial not just for the community in social terms but also for the local economy and environment. Sustainable business practices can also help reduce costs and provide a unique selling point for your business, compared to your competition.

Recent studies have also shown that retail consumers and corporate buyers are leaning more towards businesses that are environmentally conscious. Not only does it attract customers, it can also improve the well-being of your employees.

This survey takes just 5 minutes. Your responses are very important to us. They will remain confidential. With this information, we plan to develop a checklist to help business owners implement sustainable practices. Your responses will help us determine how to prioritize the information provided in the checklist.

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Name

Company

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

Question Title

* 2. How important is it to you for your business to be sustainable?

Important

Neutral

Not important

Question Title

* 3. How much do you already know about how to manage a business in a sustainable way?

I’m confident in my knowledge

I know an average amount

I know very little

Question Title

* 4. How much guidance or support would you like to see the Town of Lexington provide for your business to become sustainable?

I don’t need any guidance or support

I’d like some guidance and support

I’d like a substantial amount of guidance and support

Question Title

* 5. Does your business already sell “environmentally-friendly” products or services? Examples of eco-friendly products include recycled content products. Examples of eco-friendly services include composting, recycling, energy consulting, etc.

Yes

If yes, please describe the products or services:

Question Title

* 6. Which of the following sustainable practices (if applicable) is your business already implementing? If none, please see question 6.

Energy Audits

Energy Conservation (insulation, windows, thermostats, etc.)

Water Conservation

Solid Waste Reduction (composting, reducing, reusing, recycling, etc.)

Pollution Prevention (reducing the use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, etc.)

Indoor Air Quality

Hygienic Conditions (use of non-toxic cleaning supplies, or unnecessary plastics, etc.)

Local Economic Practices (working with local materials, entrepreneurs, businesses as a first resort if possible, etc.)

Local Community Practices (including but not limited to providing equal employment opportunities for residence regardless of gender, race, religion, etc.)

Local Cultural Heritage Practices (including but not limited to following international and national good practices in respecting and use of indigeneous communities, historical sites, traditions, artefacts, etc.)

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation (including surrounding property, or neighboring property that have high biodiversity value, no species of wild animals are acquired, bred or held captive, except by authorized personnel and regulated activities compliance with local and international law, etc.)

Exploitation and Harassment Policy (policy against commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation or harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, women, minorities, etc.)

Working Conditions (safe and secure working environment, living wage provided, etc.)

Training for Employees & Staff (including ethical & fair trade practices)

Fuel-Efficient Transportation and Deliveries

Reducing business-related travel

Renewable Energy Options (wind, solar or geothermal)

Certification Options (LEED, Energy Star, B Corp.)

Funding Options for Green Initiatives

Carbon offsetting

Other

Question Title

* 7. If your business isn’t practicing only one or any of the above, which of them would you be interested in implementing or learning more about?

Energy Audits

Energy Conservation (insulation, windows, thermostats, etc.)

Water Conservation

Solid Waste Reduction (composting, reducing, reusing, recycling, etc.)

Pollution Prevention (reducing use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, etc.)

Indoor Air Quality

Hygienic Conditions (use of non-toxic cleaning supplies, or unnecessary plastics etc.)

Local Economic Practices (working with local materials, entrepreneurs, businesses as a first resort if possible, etc.)

Local Community Practices (including but not limited to providing equal employment opportunities for residence regardless of gender, race, religion, etc.)

Exploitation and Harassment Policy (policy against commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation or harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, women, minorities, etc.)

Working Conditions (safe and secure working environment, living wage provided, etc.)

Training for Employees & Staff (including ethical & fair trade practices)

Fuel Efficient Transportation and Deliveries

Reducing business-related travel

Renewable Energy Options (wind, solar or geothermal)

Certification Options (LEED, Energy Star, B Corp.)

Funding Options for Green Initiatives

Carbon offsetting

Other

Question Title

* 8. Are you a member of a business association? If so, which one?

Question Title

* 9. Which of the following resources would your business be interested in receiving as a resource to become more sustainable, if any?

A certification program to recognize your sustainable business initiatives

A list of businesses who can provide support your business on any continuous improvement regarding sustainability efforts

A checklist to auto-evaluate your business

A list of reliable literature resources to help educate you on green initiatives

A list of speakers to invite to your business meetings

A list of resources for sustainable financial support and ideas

+A workshop to learn more about how to run a sustainable business

An EXPO event for businesses to showcase their green products & services

A list of businesses who can evaluate your current business on sustainability efforts

Other

Question Title

* 10. Would your business or organization be interested in participating in Sustainability-related Events in the community? (details to come on what the events would entail).

Yes

Question Title

* 11. Would your business be interested in participating in a Lexington "green business" certification program?

Yes

Like to know more

Question Title

* 12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know at this time? We'd love to hear about any specific "green" initiatives your company has undertaken and/or anything you'd like us to consider for the future.

DRAFT: Business Sustainability in Lexington

Sustainable Business Survey- Lexington, MA

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Question Title

* 2. How important is it to you for your business to be sustainable?

Question Title

* 3. How much do you already know about how to manage a business in a sustainable way?

Question Title

* 4. How much guidance or support would you like to see the Town of Lexington provide for your business to become sustainable?

Question Title

* 5. Does your business already sell “environmentally-friendly” products or services? Examples of eco-friendly products include recycled content products. Examples of eco-friendly services include composting, recycling, energy consulting, etc.

Question Title

* 6. Which of the following sustainable practices (if applicable) is your business already implementing? If none, please see question 6.

Question Title

* 7. If your business isn’t practicing only one or any of the above, which of them would you be interested in implementing or learning more about?

Question Title

* 8. Are you a member of a business association? If so, which one?

Question Title

* 9. Which of the following resources would your business be interested in receiving as a resource to become more sustainable, if any?

Question Title

* 10. Would your business or organization be interested in participating in Sustainability-related Events in the community? (details to come on what the events would entail).

Question Title

* 11. Would your business be interested in participating in a Lexington "green business" certification program?

Question Title

* 12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know at this time? We'd love to hear about any specific "green" initiatives your company has undertaken and/or anything you'd like us to consider for the future.

Question Title

* 13. Please let us know any comments or concerns you have about the above questions so we can improve the survey.