Demonstrate Your Performance

Sustainable Business Certification Criteria

PACE certifications showcase to your customers and peers that your business has achieved a high level of environmental performance. The certification performance criteria in our Boulder County sustainable business program are based upon and consistent with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria as well as EnergyStar Building certification. To achieve sustainable business certification in the following areas, businesses must demonstrate:

  • Energy – EnergyStar Portfolio Manager score of 75 or better
  • Waste – Diversion of at least 85 percent of waste stream away from the landfill
  • Water – Water savings of 15 percent better than usage predicted by code
  • Transportation – More employees take sustainable forms of transportation to work than the community average

Note: A PACE business sustainability advisor can work with you on a prescriptive track to sustainable business certification if a performance standard score cannot be obtained for your business.

Energy

Performance Standard

PACE staff will use the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager to rate the energy performance of the business’s facilities. To earn PACE certification, buildings must achieve an Energy Star Portfolio Manager rating of at least 75 (out of 100). Buildings with a score of 75 or better may also qualify for Energy Star certification and can receive four or more points toward LEED Existing Building certification.

Getting There

In the past three years, PACE has certified 28 businesses in the energy focus area. Here are some of the steps these businesses took to achieve success:

  • Develop an education and action plan for employees to promote adoption of energy-saving practices
  • Replace T12s fluorescent lamps with T8s, T5s or LEDs
  • Replace old motors with high-efficiency models
  • Retro- or re-commission one or more buildings to optimize heating and cooling system performance
  • Weatherize window and door areas
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps
  • Upgrade to high-efficiency HVAC equipment
  • Install programmable thermostats
  • Install renewable energy sources or engaging in a renewable energy contract

Waste

Performance Standard

To earn PACE certification, businesses must demonstrate that they divert 85 percent of their waste from the landfill by composting, recycling and/or improving purchasing practices. To evaluate current performance, PACE staff will assist businesses in conducting a waste assessment, which includes reviewing data from waste haulers and diversion practices.

Getting There

In the past three years, PACE has certified 59 businesses in the waste focus area. Here are some of the steps these businesses took to achieve success:

  • Develop an education and action plan for customers and employees to further promote and increase participation in recycling and composting
  • Add a Hard-to-Recycle program
  • Implement a new recycling or composting program
  • Create signage to help customers and employees properly utilize recycling and composting services
  • Develop a purchasing policy that reduces waste generation and increases diversion
  • Install electric dryers, cloth towels or roll paper towels in restrooms instead of C-fold paper towels

Water

Performance Standard

To earn PACE certification, businesses must demonstrate that they consume 15 percent less water than the usage predicted if all fixtures meet code. PACE staff will assist businesses in conducting an assessment to identify the performance of existing fixtures and identify opportunities for savings.

Getting There

In the past three years, PACE has certified 18 businesses in the water focus area. Here are some of the steps these businesses took to achieve success:

  • Reduce outdoor water use by installing and maintaining a smart irrigation controller
  • Install high-efficiency toilets and urinals
  • Upgrade industrial laundry facilities
  • Install 0.5 gpm sensor-controlled sinks in restrooms
  • Install water-saving pre-rinse spray valves
  • Insulate hot water pipes, boilers, and water heaters

Transportation

Performance Standard

To earn PACE certification, businesses must demonstrate that more employees take sustainable forms of transportation to work than the community average and provide at least one sustainable transportation employee benefit.

Getting There

Here are some of the steps these businesses took to achieve success:

  • Parking Cash-out
  • Subsidized vanpool, carpool, car share, bike share or Taxi (including Lyft and Uber)
  • Pre-tax transit/vanpool subsidy
  • At least quarterly communications about transportation options
  • EV charging station
  • Employee commuting awards programs or recognition
  • Membership in TMA or TMO
  • Employee shower
  • Bike Friendly Business or Best Workplace for Commuters certification
  • Parking Cash-out