A
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Air Quality / Carbon Emissions (environmental impact category)
Improving air quality, and reducing or offsetting carbon emissions.
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Animal Welfare (environmental impact category)
Conserving, protecting, improving living conditions, and reducing harm for wild or domestic animals.
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Coatings with the capability to kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms used to slow the spread of a virus. Examples include antiviral food packaging, food contact surfaces, health products, and PPE.
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Average Number of Employees
The average number of employees, both part-time and full-time, is used in employee turnover calculations. To calculate your average number of employees in 12 months, use the following formula: (# of employees at the beginning of the 12-month period + # of employees at the end of the 12-month period) / 2
B
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B-Corporation
An international certification designation earned by demonstrating high social and environmental performance as assessed by B Labs.
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Beneficiaries
Those who derive the main benefits of a company’s social and environmental impact.
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Bullying / Harassment Policy
A policy that communicates to all employees, including supervisors, managers, and executives, that the company will not in any instance tolerate bullying behavior.
C
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C-Suite / Executive Leadership
The highest level of officers within an organization, often with the word “Chief” in their job title, such as CEO, CFO, COO, and CTO.
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Carbon Offset Credits
Certificates representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions.
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CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
The CDC’s guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces to reduce the risk of infection.
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Certified Good Business
Includes any business with ethical business certifications or designations, such as Canopy Certified, Public Benefit Corporations, B-Corporations, etc.
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Certified Sustainable Business
Includes any business with sustainable business certifications or designations, such as USDA Organic, Fair-Trade, Green Seal, etc.
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Code of Business Conduct / Ethics
A company’s set of principles that guides all employees on how to conduct actions with honesty and integrity.
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Community Engagement Opportunities
Participation in community-focused events, such as community-centered holidays, fundraisers, or any other activity that promotes networking with the community.
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Company-Sponsored Low Interest or Interest-Free Loans
A loan with a rate of interest that does not exceed 1% above the base rate of certain banks.
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Company-Sponsored Volunteer Initiatives
Activities the company provides for employees to volunteer in work time.
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Composting
The use of decayed organic material as fertilizer.
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Core Product or Service
The primary product or service that the company offers.
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Crime / Violence (social impact category)
Reducing crime and violence in local communities and providing support and resources for victims.
D
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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
A certification that signifies a business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement
A statement explaining your values and commitments to diversity in your work.
E
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Economic Equality / Poverty (social impact category)
Providing equal access to economic opportunities in the local community.
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Education (social impact category)
Providing equitable and accessible educational opportunities for all people.
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Employee Feedback and Input System
A process embedded in your workplace culture where employees have the opportunity to give constructive suggestions.
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Employee Owned Trust (EOT)
An employee ownership model where shares are held within a permanent trust on behalf of all company employees.
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Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
An employee benefit plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company.
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Employee Survey
A survey designed to measure employee satisfaction, engagement, and alignment around the company’s values, operations, and impact efforts.
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Employee Turnover
How many employees, both part-time and full-time, leave your business annually and need replacing. To calculate your employee turnover for a 12-month period, use the following formula: (# of employees who left in the 12-month period / the average #of employees in the 12-month period) x 100
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Energy Conservation (environmental impact category)
Reduce energy consumption, whether on-site or off.
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Environmental Commitment Statement
A statement describing a plan of action that focuses on a specific environmental issue. Unlike a mission statement, a commitment statement is not permenant.
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Environmental Mission Statement
A permanent statement that aligns your brand’s purpose and values with environmental or sustainability impact. This statement is embedded into your company’s core, affecting your company’s culture, corporate documents, and overall business function.
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Environmental Program
Includes any formal programs or day-to-day initiatives / practices that a company has in place to accomplish a certain environmental goal. Programs should have a strategy in place with resources budgeted for its execution.
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EPA Energy Star Certified
A building or product that meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA.
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Equal Opportunity Policy and Anti-Discrimination Policy
A policy that states that a company does not discriminate based on protected classes. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
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External Coaching
Certified professional coach outsourced from outside the company.
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Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
An employee benefit plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company.
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Employee Owned Trust (EOT)
An employee ownership model where shares are held within a permanent trust on behalf of all company employees.
F
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Fair Dismissal Policies and Termination Conditions
A policy that provides a fair and consistent procedure for dismissing staff with a good reason.
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Fair Labor and Standards Act
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law which establishes minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments.
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Fair Employee Advancement Policy
A policy that supports of the progression and promotion of employees in a fair and equitable way, and monitors the company’s compliance of it.
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FDA Food Guidelines
FDA guidance and regulatory information about food safety programs, manufacturing processes, industry systems, and import / export activities.
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Food Access / Reduce Hunger (social impact category)
Reducing hunger or increasing access to nutritious food in local communities.
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Frontline Employees
Employees who directly affect customer care and product performance, such as retail employees, hospitality crews, health care providers, and machine operators.
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Full-Time Employee
A full-time employee is a filled position that works 30+ hours weekly and receives a W-2 tax form.
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Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
According to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, an FTE employee must work an average of 30 hours per week. Two part-time employees working an average of 15 hours per week are equal to one FTE. To calculate your FTEs, use the following formula: total # of full-time employees + (total hours worked weekly by part-time employees / 30)
G
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Gender Minorities
People who identify as Women, Transgender, and / or Non-binary.
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Green Check Company
A company certified by Green Check, a certification program that provides businesses in Fayette County, Kentucky with resources they need to become more sustainable.
H
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Health and Safety Policies and Procedures
Policies and procedures based on the requirements and guidelines of Kentucky, the CDC, and OSHA.
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High Tech Jobs
Employment in tech-related fields.
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Honor
Method to publicly appreciate employees to boost engagement.
I
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Individual Career Planning
An action plan for personal development.
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Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan
A guide for planning, responding, and recovering from a disease outbreak that may impact business and the community.
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Intended Outcomes
The long-term change or result a company and its stakeholders wish to accomplish with its programming.
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Internal Coaching
Coaches who work within the organization and have in-depth knowledge about the organization and its culture.
J
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Job Rotation
The practice of moving employees between different tasks to promote experience and variety.
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Job Shadowing
A program designed for employees to learn about a particular occupation or competencies and gain advice from another employee in that role.
K
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Kentucky Company
In order to be considered a Kentucky company for Canopy Certification, you must answer “Yes” to #1 OR #2
- Is your business fully incorporated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (domestic corporation)?
OR
- Is your business an autonomous company or subsidiary that is empowered to make localized decisions on Company Culture, Governance, and Social/Environmental programming in Kentucky?
AND answer “Yes” to #3 OR #4
- Are at least 51% of all employee payroll taxes paid in Kentucky?
OR
- Do you pay annual payroll taxes for at least 50 employees in Kentucky?
For more information, see our full Kentucky Eligibility Policy here
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Kentucky's Creative Economy (social impact category)
Advocating for the economic and cultural value of the humanities and arts field.
L
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Leadership Pledge
List of commitments designed to align a company’s leadership around Good Business values and practices.
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Learning Sabbaticals
Planned breaks from an employee’s job for deep learning and developing a new skill or ability to facilitate professional growth.
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Learning Stipend
A sum of money given to employees to spend on learning initiatives that they find relevant to their needs.
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LGBTQIA+
An individual who self-identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer / questioning, asexual, and other identities and sexualites, such as non-binary and pansexual.
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Living Wage
The hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support his or herself and their family. Living wage in Kentucky is $15.46 for 1 adult with 0 children. To calculate the percentage of employees who make at least a living wage, use the following formula: (# of employees who make at least a living wage / total # of employees) x 100
M
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Management / Supervision
An employee with direct reports.
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Material Litigation
Litigation involving financial health that is required to be disclosed within an annual audit.
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Maternal Leave
A benefit designed to help women cope with later stages of pregnancies and birth by protecting their employment position during their absence from work.
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Mentorship Program
Mentor or partnership programs that connect people with specific skills and knowledge with individuals who need or want the same skills and advantages.
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Minimum Wage
The lowest wage permitted by law or by a special agreement, such as one with a labor union. Minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25. To calculate the percentage your lowest compensated worker makes above minimum wage, use the following formula: (wage of your lowest paid hourly, untipped employee – 7.25 / 7.25) x 100
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Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
A certification that signifies a business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by citizens or permanent resident aliens who meet the ethnic definitions Black, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, Asian-Indian, or Native American.
N
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Net Impact Member
A member of a Net Impact chapter, which engages next-generation leaders to connect, learn, and act on the social and environmental issues.
O
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Opioid / Drugs Addiction (social impact category)
Helping those in the local community struggling with opioid and / or other drug-related addictions such as alcohol, tobacco, painkillers, etc.
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Opportunity Zone
A Kentucky Opportunity Zone is a low income U.S. Census tract that encourages individuals and corporations to invest in a variety of economic development projects through “Opportunity Funds.”
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Organizational Partners
A partnership for meaningful impact towards social or environmental goals.
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Other Biodiversity / Ecosystem (environmental impact category)
Maintaining and conserving biodiverse habitats, natural ecosystems, plant species, and lands.
P
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Parental Leave
A benefit designed to help mothers or fathers choose how to share their childbirth leave by protecting their employment position during their absence from work.
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Part-Time Employee
A part-time employee is a filled position who works fewer than 30 hours weekly and receives a W-2 tax form.
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Peer-to-Peer Learning Opportunities
Employees teach each other skills or knowledge, promoting autonomy, collaboration, and communication among team members.
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Performance Evaluation System
A systematic way to examine how well an employee is performing in their job.
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Philanthropic Gifts
A voluntary and non-reciprocal in-kind or monetary gift.
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Professional Development Program
The process of improving and increasing staff capabilities through access to education and training opportunities.
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Public Benefit Corporation (PBC)
A for-profit corporation that is also held accountable for contributing to the public good and operating in a responsible and sustainable manner.
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Public Health / Health Care (social impact category)
Increasing access to adequate healthcare resources and working towards a healthier populace in the local community.
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Public Spaces / Housing (social impact category)
Increasing access to or advancing public spaces and housing for employees, community members in need, etc.
Q
R
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Racial / Ethnic Minorities
People who identify with racial or ethnic categories, such as Native American or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Asian, etc.
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Racial Equity (social impact category)
Providing tools to identify and address racial inequality that exists in systems and structures.
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Recognize
Acknowledging employees for exemplary performance.
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Recycled Waste
The conversion of waste into a new usable product.
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Regular Feedback
Opportunity to give ideas, comment, or responses in a systematic way.
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Resource Groups
Onsite group that focuses on removing barriers of inclusion for underrepresented minorities.
S
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Safety Statement
A written document which describes how health and safety within your company is managed.
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Senior Most Operations Leader
The highest-level leader who oversees the efficient running of business operations.
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Sensitive Ecosystem
Rare, ecologically fragile, or at-risk ecosystems.
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Sexual Harassment Policy
A policy that defines workplace sexual harrassment and outlines the company’s procedures for complaints, investigations, and the appropriate disciplinary measures.
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Skill Development Curriculum
The process of identifying skills gaps amongst employees and developing / honing their skills to succeed within their role.
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Small Business Administration 8(A)
8a is a Business Development Program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for small businesses owned by minorities or women who are socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
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Small Business
A small business meeting the U.S. Small Business Administration’s guidelines for that designation.
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A statement describing a plan of action that focuses on a specific social issue. Unlike a mission statement, a commitment statement is not permenant.
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Providing equal political and social opportunities to all demographics and populations.
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A permanent statement that aligns your brand’s purpose and values with social or community impact. This statement is embedded into your company’s core, affecting your company’s culture, corporate documents, and overall business function.
-
Includes any formal programs or day-to-day initiatives / practices that a company has in place to accomplish a certain social goal. Programs should have a strategy in place with resources budgeted for its execution.
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Soil Quality (environmental impact category)
Increasing health of soil quality for current functionality or reducing degradation of soil quality for future use.
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Student Loan Forgiveness or Assistance
An employer pays the employee to help resolve student loan debt from a degree or program.
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Support Tourism
Efforts a company makes to help attract, accommodate, and entertain tourists to improve its local economy.
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Supporting Families (social impact category)
Supporting families of all kinds to thrive physically, mentally, and socially.
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Supportive Employment Practices
Practices for people facing high employment barriers to obtain and maintain employment.
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Sustainably Managed Land
The use of land resources for the production of goods, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of these resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions.
T
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Telehealth
The delivery of health care, education, and information services via remote technologies.
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Temporary / Contract Employee
Employment where the working arrangement is limited to a certain period of time based on the needs of the employing organization and receives a 1099 tax form. Also known as temps, contract workers, consultants, freelancers, seasonal workers, and interns.
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Transportation (social impact category)
Improving affordability and access to transportation.
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Tuition Assistance or Reimbursement
An employer pays a specific amount or percentage of current tuition or other education expenses for a degree or program.
U
V
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Vendor Development Program for Sustainability
A program that works with suppliers to ensure safe and environmentally sound operations that comply with relevant regulatory supply chain requirements.
W
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Wage Ratio
The ratio of the highest annual compensation to the lowest annual compensation within a company based on 2,080 hours worked. To calculate the wage ratio, use the following formula: (highest salary / lowest salary) : 1
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Waste Reduction (environmental impact category)
Reducing or eliminating landfill-bound waste.
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Water Quality / Conservation (environmental impact category)
Conserving water and / or protecting water quality.
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Whistleblower Policy
A policy that encourages staff and volunteers to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or violations of policies of the organization, specifies that the organization will protect the individual from retaliation, and identifies those staff or board members or outside parties to whom an individual can report such information.
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Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
A certification that signifies a business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women.
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Worker Owned Cooperative (WOC)
A certification that signifies a business is owned and self-managed by its workers.