Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Home | Franklin County Environmental Efforts | Information for Residents | Information for Businesses

Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO)
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District
The Big Darby Accord

Information for Businesses

Local businesses are essential partners in the effort to protect and enhance Franklin County's natural environment. Businesses large and small can take many different steps to help benefit the environment, and listed below are some suggested actions that local business owners can implement to make their business operations as environmentally friendly as possible.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Tips

Set programmable thermostats to turn heating on 30 minutes before people arrive and off 30 to 60 minutes after they leave. Set them no higher than 68°F during occupied periods in the winter and no higher than 63°F during un-occupied periods.
Turn off lights in offices, conference areas and lunchrooms when rooms are not in use.
Use task lighting (e.g. desk lamps) instead of overhead lighting.
Replace high-use incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Make sure to dispose compact fluorescent light bulbs properly to avoid environmental contamination.
Perform regular maintenance on heating and ventilation systems to keep them running efficiently.
At the end of the work day, close all drapes and shades to limit overnight heat loss.
Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment - they're up to 40% more energy efficient.
Unplug electronic items, battery chargers and other equipment when not in use (when possible)
Install high efficiency windows to improve the insulating quality of windows and maximize energy efficiency. Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows that are gas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass).
Always ensure that your building is properly insulated to maximize energy efficiency.

Resource Conservation and Recycling Suggestions

Install faucet aerators and high efficiency (low-flow) toilets to reduce water usage.
Make recycling widely available in the workplace for paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic items.
Make two-sided copies and print two-sided documents in order to save paper.
Purchase paper that contains a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Recycle electronics (e.g. cell phones, computers, computer monitors, printers) rather than throwing them away. Visit SWACO's website for additional information.
For more information about office recycling and waste reduction click on SWACO's Fact Sheet.
Purchase biodegradable janitorial paper products and Green Seal Certified paper towels and toilet paper.

Take Advantage of Federal and State Energy Assistance Programs

Federal Tax Deduction for Commercial Buildings
Ohio Energy Office's Distributed Energy Resources Program
- Consider applying for incentive grants from the Ohio Department of Development's program to install Distributed Energy Resources (i.e. industrial heat recovery, combined heat and power, and landfill or biomass methane) to generate clean electricity on-site.
Ohio Energy Office's Renewable Energy Program
- Consider applying for grant assistance from the Ohio Department of Development's program to help cover a portion of the costs of installing renewable energy projects for on-site electricity generation (solar electric, wind electric, and solar thermal systems).

Visit the Following Links to Learn More About How to Help Your Business "Go Green"

U.S. DOE Energy Savers – Your Workplace
U.S. EPA Green Building Website
California has produced a series of useful guides and commercial case study examples: