Frequently Asked Questions

Q. On the checklist does a box have to be checked off for every item in every section?
A. No, only those that are current practices and those your company hopes to implement in either the near future (short-term goal) or at a later time (long-term goal). Items that are not feasible for your company at present or in the foreseeable future should not have any of the boxes checked.

Q. Is there a minimum number of current practices required for participation in ggNRV?
A. No, there’s no minimum requirement. We respect the starting point of each business applying for participation in the program, and we respect each business’ commitment to progress in its sustainable practices.

Q. What amount of action is required for something to be considered a current practice?
A. There is no minimum requirement. The goal is for progress to be made each year, so we are all traveling in a positive direction. You might use the comments section to notate that the company hopes to increase its activity in a current practice and mark it as “current practice” as well as “short term goal” … that way when you do your annual update of your checklist you can document what progress has been made in that particular area.

Q. For larger organizations with many departments, can we list current practice if something is done in just one department and not as an overall organization / business?
A. If something is implemented in one or just a few departments, I’d mark it as a current practice and also a short- or long-term goal and put a note in the comments section that not every department has implemented the practice yet…that way, if more departments implement the practice by the next checklist renewal, it will show progress within the company.

Q. On the checklist, how detailed should we be with supporting information?
A. We don’t require any supporting information or documentation; however, we do make random site visits! Also, the more supporting information you provide, the more other businesses can learn about how to implement particular practices, and the more your own business’ sustainable information will be available at your fingertips!

Q. Why does a Managing Principal need to sign the checklist?
A. It’s important for a business’ top management to be onboard with the business’ environmental policy, practices, and goals. The signature of the Managing Principal indicates a commitment by the leadership of the business to promote and support sustainable initiatives.

Q. If our business doesn’t currently have an environmental policy statement, where can we get guidance in creating one?
A. Below are examples:

Architectural Alternatives, Inc.

Draper Aden Associates

The Inn at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center

Q. Will the checklist be the same at each renewal time or will it change?
A. As suggestions and comments are received and further research is done, we hope to improve and expand upon the current checklist, in order to provide the most helpful guidance possible to NRV businesses for implementing sustainable practices. Also, it’s the goal of ggNRV to develop checklists specific to various sectors, such as industrial, tourism, etc.