General Resources:

• City of Ames Sustainability Webpage
• Commercial Rebates

Section 1: Energy Conservation

 Section 1: Energy Conservation Resource Document

• U.S. Department of Energy 
  The U.S. Department of Energy provides a variety of information on its website regarding energy savings and conservation.
• Building and Plants 
  Learn how to build an energy saving program or your building or office. The Energy Star website contains information for all shapes and sizes of businesses.
• National Renewable Energy Lab
  The National Renewable Energy Lab website offers energy efficient advice for smaller businesses. This page focuses on a variety of ways that small business can save energy and have sustainable business practices.

Section 2: Water Conservation

 Section 2: Water Conservation Resource Document

• EPA's WaterSense Program for Commercial Businesses and Institutions
  The EPA's WaterSense program focuses on reducing water use by adopting and promoting water-efficient products, services and practices for facilities.

Section 3: Transportation

 Section 3: Transportation Resource Document

• EPA Fuel Economy 
  The EPA provides a variety of policy and planning information to help businesses related to fuel economy, from how to get the most out of your fleet to choosing a new vehicle.
• U.S. Department of Energy
  The U.S. Department of Energy provides information on reducing petroleum fuel use in transportation.

Section 4: Indoor Environment

 Section 4: Indoor Environment Resource Document

• An Office Building Occupants Guide to Indoor Air Quality (4.0)
  The EPA provides valuable information about indoor air quality and how your business can improve your indoor air.

Section 5: Outdoor Environment

 Section 5: Outdoor Environment Resource Document

• Outdoor Air - Industry, Business, and Home (5.0)
  Do you know how to improve outdoor air quality? If you are interested, the EPA offers this valuable webpage to help you improve outdoor air.
• Bird Friendly Iowa 
  Did you know Ames is a bird friendly city? If you are interested, the Bird City Network offers a certification to aid in improving education and engagement in birding and conservation

Section 6: Purchasing

 Section 6: Purchasing Resource Document

• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing 
  This website provides information on green purchasing for small to large businesses.
• U.S. Green Building Council 
  The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

Section 7: Waste Diversion and Responsible Waste Management

 Section 7: Waste Diversion Resource Document

• Electronic Waste 
  The Iowa DNR provides useful information on this webpage for handling electronic waste.
• Iowa Green List 
  Iowa Green List is a resource management directory to help Iowans find local contractors that offer recycling, reuse, and disposal services for a variety of materials.
• Iowa Waste Exchange 
  Iowa Waste Exchange is a materials exchange program to help businesses find outlets for their byproducts and waste.
• Waste - Resource Conservation 
  This website shares a variety of options for businesses about how to recycle electronics.
• Recycling
  This website by the Iowa DNR provides information on recycling appliances, batteries, cars, bottles, electronics, composting, tires, and more.
• Solid Waste Alternatives Program The Iowa DNR offers financial assistance to businesses to start solid waste management programs.

Section 8: Carbon Footprint 

 Section 8: Carbon Footprint Resource Document

• These tools can be used to help businesses determine their current greenhouse gas emissions impact and offer ideas for reduction strategies
  • CoolClimate Small Business Carbon Footprint Calculator
  • Ames Smart Energy Carbon Footprint Calculator and Detailed Instructions

Section 9: Customer Relations

 Section 9: Customer Relations Resource Document

• Sustainability and the Customer Service Experience
  This article offers information about various strategies for connecting customers to your business’ sustainability commitment, initiatives and accomplishments.

Section 10: Community Relations

 Section 10: Community Relations Resource Document

• Volunteer Iowa
  This website offers opportunities to volunteer and engage volunteers throughout Iowa.

Other Resources to Pursue

 Section 11: Platinum Certification Resource Document

• earth911.com 
  A guide to local resources to help protect the environment and a variety of ideas for helping your company to go green.

 Business Sustainability Case Studies:

• Highlight business sustainability projects that could be adopted by Smart Business Challenge members