Comprehensive Resource Guides for Best Practices
- Water Conservation-Use water as efficiently as possible in order to conserve natural sources of fresh water and minimize energy requirements of water treatment facilities. Techniques include using low flow equipment; reusing gray water; capturing stormwater; planting native plants that don’t require irrigation; converting cooling systems to closed loop cooling instead of once through non-contact cooling water; on-site treatment and reuse; etc. The EPA sponsored WaterSense program helps businesses and consumers choose quality, water-efficient products.
- Environmentally Preferred Purchasing-Purchase recycled or environmentally preferred products that minimize the impact on human and environmental health 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. StopWaste.org has a comprehensive resource guide for environmentally preferable products focused on business purchasing. The EPA/DOE Energy Star program also provides purchasing and procurement resources for commercial and residential products.
- Hazardous Waste Management-Reduce hazardous waste generation where non-hazardous alternatives are available. This reduces liability and disposal costs. Ensure safe and adequate management of hazardous waste by establishing a program for regulating the storage, generation, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste in order to protect human and environmental health. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection provides a hazardous waste fact sheet for businesses that supplies information about federal hazardous waste regulations.
- Waste Reduction and Recycling-Reduce the amount of waste generated by creating a waste reduction program that focuses on reducing, re-using, and recycling used resources. Get recognition for waste reduction efforts by joining the EPA WasteWise program.
- Energy Efficiency-Increasing energy efficiency and reducing the amount of energy consumed by using energy efficient products and practices in all area of business operations. The Energy Star program offers businesses a proven energy management strategy that helps in measuring current energy performance, setting goals, tracking savings, and rewarding improvements.
