Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce

Overview

American Green Chamber Of Commerce
Advancing a Sustainable Economy

About Us

The American Green Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) is a national 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability as fundamental to a new economic paradigm.

Our organization is being established to provide businesses across the United States with central national, statewide and local resources an organized platform for advancing the critically important endeavor of an environmentally sustainable economy.

As the national umbrella organization and centralized catalyst for the widespread “greening” of American business, the American Green Chamber of Commerce will provide leading edge standards and programs for all state level Green chambers, and their affiliate chapters.

State level Green chambers in turn provide the impetus, structure and guidance for local chapters statewide where leaders and members carry out the following Green Chamber functions and objectives:

• Provide a central non-biased portal of information, resources and connectivity for an eco-economy that serves sustainably-minded businesses and individuals.
• Provide a public resource for promoting quality local businesses that are environmentally responsible
• Assist local businesses in implementing environmentally responsible business practices
• Incentivize local businesses to implement environmentally responsible business practices
• Offer business-to-business networking events and mixers
• Educate businesses, organizations and individuals on hot topics/trends in environmental sustainability
• Collaborate with complementary local organizations to advance environmental sustainability
• Identify and address local economic and environmental issues
• Provide an independent, unified voice for the purpose of advancing environmental public policy
• Recognize business leaders and organizations modeling exemplary commitment to sustainable ideals

The American Green Chamber of Commerce supports free enterprise with a responsible and fair level of government regulation.  The Chamber is not affiliated with or unduly influenced any political party, advocacy group or federal, state or local government.  The Chamber is an independent voice for the business community with a focus on public policy and resources related to achieving a sustainable economy and promoting green business practices.

Eco-Standards

These Eco-Standards will provide clear benchmarks and encourage progressively advanced levels of commitment to environmentally responsible business practices, enabling American businesses to lead globally in establishing an environmentally sustainable economy.

The American Green Chamber of Commerce requires that members have certain sustainable practices and will continually raise the bar on these standards for what it means to have environmentally sound business practices. The eco-Standards program, developed by the Center for Sustainable Solutions (a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Green Chamber) will be made available to American businesses through the American Green Chamber of Commerce with the intention OF COMBATTING “greenwashing” and provide a much needed benchmark for PROMOTING environmentally responsible business practices. These tiered eco-Standards will encourage progressively advanced levels of commitment to ensure an environmentally sustainable economy.

The mission of the Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Center for Sustainable Solutions, is to provide tools for American businesses to be global leaders in sustainability.

The eco-Standards are built on a tiered system designed to motivate and incent members to increase their engagement in sustainable practices. Members who attain a higher level of eco-Standards will enjoy preferential promotion and visibility through online directory placement and other marketing opportunities. This program and subsequent tiers are currently in development and will launch in 2010.

Level One Membership eco-Standards:

COMPANY PRACTICES

• Designate at least one person in your organization to coordinate sustainability efforts, implement an environmentally preferred purchasing program and/or coordinate other organization-wide environmental policies.

WASTE REDUCTION

• Implement a program to recycle or reuse at least two of the following: cardboard (corrugated cardboard boxes), paper, plastics, metals (steel, aluminum, etc) and recyclable glass.
• Purchase copier and printer paper materials made from a minimum of 30% post-consumer content to conserve resources and to support the recycling market.
• Program copiers/printers to print duplex (double-sided) as default if option is available.
• Donate or recycle used/surplus: office equipment, office furniture, office supplies, etc.
• Refill spent toner cartridges, or send to the retailer/manufacturer/or an appropriate recycling vendor for recycling or remanufacturing.
• Properly dispose of all spent fluorescent tubes and CFL’s. (Do not throw in the garbage). To locate local resources and recycling centers to reduce your environmental impact for these and other materials visit www.earth911.com
• Prevent e-waste. Recycle or donate old electronic equipment (such as computers, printers, cell phones, and pagers).
• Recycle or properly dispose of batteries to a hazardous waste program, such as www.rbrc.org .

ENERGY

• Turn off and/or unplug office equipment that is not required to operate after business hours to avoid passive energy consumption, including small electronics and personal items.
• Program all computers and printers to use power saving measures after 30 minutes. Turn computers and printers off at the end of day.
• Use programmable thermostats or manually set temperature for after hours by several degrees (ex: 85 degrees summer, 65 degrees winter).
• Turn off all non-emergency lights after business hours.
• Perform maintenance at intervals recommended by the manufacturer on all HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems.
• When replacing incandescent light bulbs, replace with energy efficient bulbs (ex: fluorescent, CFL or LED) or ENERGY STAR rated fixtures.
• Check air filters regularly and clean or change as needed (monthly for disposable, 3 months for permanent).

WATER CONSERVATION

• Post signs in restrooms and kitchen areas encouraging water conservation.
• Install low flow aerators with flow rates not to exceed 0.5 gpm for lavatory sinks.
• Adjust exterior sprinkler durations seasonally and water during non-daylight hours only. Test for proper coverage and leaks on a monthly basis and repair/correct as needed in a timely manner.

POLLUTION PREVENTION

• Keep company vehicles well maintained to prevent leaks, minimize emissions and encourage employees to do the same, including keeping tires properly inflated.

About the Center for Sustainable Solutions

Members of the American Green Chamber of Commerce will reap the immense benefits of access to leading edge programs and resources made available through the Center for Sustainable Solutions.

This center, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the Chamber, essentially serves as an integral think tank and research and development organization, delivering programs and resources to the American business community that are fully aligned with the Chamber mission and vision.

Specifically, the Center will develop and distribute sustainability standards, educational programs, technology and a variety of other key resources to facilitate sustainable business operations and catalyze growth through an exclusive license of programs to the American Green Chamber of Commerce. The Center will also collaborate with for-profit businesses, government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to encourage sustainable business practices and sustainable growth.

About our Leadership

The American Green Chamber of Commerce board will be lead by an executive team of directors, who shall provide governance, develop policy and manage fiduciary responsibilities.

Current Organizational Landscape

The Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce (AZGCC) is the first state level Green Chamber in the U.S. and launched its first chapter in Phoenix in November 2008. In addition to advancing the American Green Chamber mission on a local level, the Phoenix Chapter serves as a model and template for future chapters. This will in turn foster the local portal of information, resources and connectivity as well as the widespread integration of green business practices into business and commerce throughout Arizona and beyond.

Find more information at www.arizonagreenchamber.org/Phoenix.