Sustainable Business Toolkit
Below you can find resources to help your business be more sustainable and to save you money. This is the pdf version of the Sustainable Business Toolkit.
There are five main sections:
- Energy
- Transportation
- Buildings
- Water
- Waste
At the bottom of this page, you will find an "Additional Resources" section that includes a green catering list, biodiversity and green infrastructure guidance, and County and state sustainability programs.
We welcome suggestions for additional resources as well as feedback to help improve this page. Please email the Orange County Sustainability team with your feedback.
Energy
Clean Energy
- Solar Energy | Orange County, NC — Web page dedicated to solar projects and information including grant and funding opportunities.
- NC GreenPower — Non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and adoption of cleaner energy technologies through community-driven initiatives that support and promote renewable energy projects across the state.
- Rewiring America — Electrification nonprofit dedicated to facilitating the widespread transition to electric solutions for homes, businesses, and communities, offering accessible data, tools, and partnerships to make the shift to clean energy more seamless and beneficial for businesses and communities.
- North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association — Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sustainable energy policies and practices through advocacy, education, and collaboration to foster the growth of clean and renewable energy technologies in the state.
- Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses — Information about federal tax credits available for businesses such as a 30% investment tax credit (ITC) for solar systems.
Energy Efficiency
- Small Business Energy Saver | Duke Energy — Small business-focused energy efficiency program that provides free energy assessments and pays up to 80% of select energy efficiency improvements for eligible businesses.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) — Comprehensive repository providing information on various financial and policy incentives offered by individual U.S. states to promote the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Financial Incentives for North Carolina
- ENERGY STAR for Small Businesses — A program providing resources and recognition for small enterprises to adopt energy-efficient practices, offering guidance on selecting and utilizing energy-efficient technologies.
- Waste Reduction Partners — Provides free services for businesses such as technical assistance, consulting, and energy surveys.
Appliances & Lighting
- ENERGY STAR Energy Efficient Products — Provides information on energy efficient products including rebates and local retailers.
- Lighting Retrofit Energy Savings Calculator | Lighting Upgrade Tool — Tool that assesses energy and cost savings from lighting upgrades.
- Commercial Lighting Rebates | Duke Energy — Offers financial incentives to businesses implementing energy-efficient lighting solutions.
Transportation
Green Vehicles
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations | Orange County, NC — A map of the level II charging stations located throughout the County.
- Consider a SmartWay Vehicle | US EPA — Program that rates and certifies new cars, trucks, and SUVs based on their greenhouse gas and smog-forming emissions, designating the SmartWay Elite certification for vehicles achieving the highest environmental performance scores on both scales.
- Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit — Information about clean vehicle tax credits for businesses or organizations. The maximum credit is $7,500 for qualified vehicles under 14,000 pounds and $40,000 for all other vehicles.
- Green Vehicles | US EPA — Program that assesses and regulates the environmental impact of vehicles, setting standards for fuel efficiency and emissions.
- Plug-in NC — Promotes the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in North Carolina through education, outreach, and infrastructure development.
Public Transit & Alternative Commuting
- GoTriangle — A regional transit provider that delivers comprehensive public transportation services, including buses, shuttles, paratransit, and commuter resources.
- Map of Orange County Biking Trails and Greenways — Map of Orange County trails and greenways that can be filtered based on surface and trail type.
- ShareTheRideNC.org — A platform facilitating secure and efficient matchmaking for commute partners across North Carolina, allowing users to find nearby individuals with similar schedules without disclosing home addresses.
- Transit App & Umo Mobility — Apps that provide sustainable urban mobility solutions and offer real-time transit information and trip planning services for public transportation.
- Orange County Transportation Services — Website that provides information about transportation services in the County including information for the Mobility On Demand (MOD) service and the TransLoc app and TransLoc website that let individuals request MOD.
Buildings
Savings & Certifications
- ENERGY STAR Certification for Buildings — A recognition awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to products and buildings that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
- ENERGY STAR for Commercial Buildings — Site providing information aimed at commercial buildings concerning energy efficiency.
LEED Rating System
- LEED Rating System | U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) — A globally recognized certification program developed by the USGBC, assessing and promoting environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient practices in building design, construction, and operation.
Planning & Inspections
- Planning & Inspections | Orange County, NC — County department that serves residents by implementing policies and standards that promote sustainable development.
Water
Water Conservation
- Water Conservation | Orange County, NC — Provides practical guidance and recommendations for businesses to reduce water consumption and promote responsible water management practices. The following links provide more water conservation tips: Save Water NC & Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA).
- EPA WaterSense — Provides information about water-efficient products and water-saving resources.
- Soil & Water Conservation District | Orange County, NC — Provides guidelines and practices to minimize environmental impact, optimize resource use, and promote responsible land management. It includes links about aerial photography and environmental education.
Water Resources
- H20 Orange — H2O Orange is an initiative to provide County water resources, other links listed contain more extensive information on County water issues.
- Drought Information for Orange County
- Current Map of Drought Conditions for North Carolina
Waste
Waste Reduction Programs
- Fork It Over — Offers a free loan service of over 200 sets of stainless steel utensils collected from donations to replace disposable ones at special events.
- Waste Reduction Partners — Provides technical assistance, consulting services, and no-cost food waste assessments.
Recycling
- North Carolina Recycling Markets Directory — Searchable directory that allows users to find recycling companies nearby that accept specific materials.
- Commercial Recycling Services in the Triangle
- Orange Recycling Services
- Orange County Solid Waste Management
- Shimar Recycling
- Triangle Ecycling: Focuses on responsible e-waste disposal, ensuring compliance with regulations
- Wall Recycling | Dumpster Rental & Scrap Metal Recycling
Composting
- Mulch & Compost | Orange County, NC — Information on composting in the County that diverts organic waste, lowering disposal costs. You can also purchase mulch and compost for your business.
- Commercial Composting Services in the Triangle
Additional Resources
Biodiversity
- Guide on how to turn the landscape into wildlife habitat.
- 7 Tips for Planting a Bee-Friendly Garden in North Carolina — Guide on implementing pollinator-friendly gardens promoting biodiversity.
Green Infrastructure
- Rain Gardens — Website about rain gardens compiled by the Town of Chapel Hill with many additional links.
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure — Clean Water Education Partnership website that explains the different types of green stormwater infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, green roofs, pervious pavement, rainwater harvesting) and provides resources to learn more.
Orange County Resources
- Sustainability | Orange County, NC — Find sustainability programs, resources, events, and actions to reduce waste, save energy, and support a healthier community. Learn about local incentives and the Orange County Climate Action Plan.
- Community Climate Action Grant Program | Orange County, NC — Funds projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make a positive impact in Orange County.
- Green Catering List — Provides a list of Orange County catering businesses that observe sustainable practices.
NC State Resources
- NC Environmental Stewardship Initiative — Acknowledges and supports companies and facilities that demonstrate exceptional efforts to minimize their environmental impact.
- NC Green Travel Initiative — Promotes sustainable travel in North Carolina by recognizing and showcasing hotels, restaurants, parks, attractions, and other travel businesses that exhibit outstanding environmental stewardship, contributing to the development of a more eco-friendly and prosperous tourism industry in the state.