Greenwashing exists in the real estate space as well. For example, companies that make environmental claims such as organization-wide paper reduction and then slap a Green label on it. To be “Green” means to participate in real environmentally conscious activities or for products and services to possess actual environmentally sensitive attributes -irrespective of their economic benefit or burden. There are some resources that may help you. LEED standards can guide you, but they generally address the entire facility-scape - activities that are part of the everyday operation of the building. There are a few organizations that will help you to certify the products and services that you use in your everyday operations management activities – all in conjunction with your efforts to comply with LEED.  We’ve spoken about these names earlier here in Square Beat  - names such as  ENERGY STAR, Greenguard, Green Seal, Green Label Plus, Environmentally Preferable Products.  These “Green Certifications” have their own criteria, and are a great start, however, they are not indisputable evidence of Greenness.  They are simple certifications that the particular product or service comports with the criteria set out in the certifying organization’s standard. Beyond that, you will have to make you own independent assessment.  

Take our earlier example, a product may claim to significantly reduce paper usage, but that product may have a higher overall energy demand and thus create a larger overall carbon footprint.   If going digital or wireless is part of your overall corporate strategy (and it should be), then look for the best electronic product with the broadest set of functions requiring the least amount of time to use. Efficiency is almost always an excellent indicator of good Greenness.  So if you really truly want to put the “eco” in “economy”, look hard at the product and services claiming to be Green, peek below that Green label and make you own judgment about it professed Greenness.  

Oh ..and a little poetry to drive the point home.