Goldstar Advantage Realty is a green realty business. We strive to work in harmony with the environment and the needs of our clients who seek a partner focused on sustainable business practices. We are members of the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance and the Baltimore Buy Local Campaign.
Here are just some of the ways we help the planet, while at the same time helping our valued clients:
Goldstar Advantage Realty’s Top 50 Sustainable Business Practices
1. Turns off equipment when not being used
2. Encourages communication by e-mail and video conferencing
3. Scan and e-mail instead of fax when possible
4. Recommends local green vendors for real estate services to customers
5. Joins or affiliates with local green businesses
6. Produces Double Sided Copies
7. Encourages and uses 100% recycled paper products
8. Recycles toner cartridges
9. Recycles, even though commercial property does not have a facility, and drives recycling to a recycle center weekly
10. Features EcoBrokers who educate clients on green alternatives
11. Uses sustainable harvested wood pencils
12. Uses long life reusable and refillable pens made of recycled plastic
13. Recycles and reuse office supplies
14. Uses Recycled stationary
15. Recycles junk mail
16. Removes names from mailing lists of junk mail
17. Encourages indoor plant use
18. Uses long life computers and advanced software so that computers are not purchased again and again
19. Uses 100% or partial recycled printing paper
20. Houses separate plastic, paper bins in the office kitchen area
21. Uses real glasses, plates, napkins, silverware not paper or plastic when at all possible
22. Uses green cleaning agents and solvents at the office
23. Suggests Energy Efficient Mortgages for buyer, and works with mortgage brokers who offer them
24. Uses cork, bamboo, and organic cotton materials when at all possible
25. Utilizes HEPA approved air filters to clean the indoor air quality
26. Avoids chlorine packaging
27. Institutes a bonus structure for agents who sell, represent green properties
28. Encourages causal business clothing in hot summers and sweaters worn in winters to save on utility use
29. Avoids rush hour traffic to reduce emissions from the vehicles we drive
30. Works from home/telecommute as much as possible to reduce fuel usage and emissions
31. Work based on performance not attendance stressed
32. Uses park and transit areas whenever possible
33. Encourages agents to conserve water usage
34. Barters services when possible
35. Utilizes agent suggestion box to improve green work with clients and at the business36. Uses electronic communication over printed when at all possible
37. Prints double sided copies
38. Encourages agents to volunteer at community events
39. Shops the internet instead of driving around to purchase a product
40. Buys and shops locally to save fuel and support the community
41. Supports efforts of memberships and affiliations we belong to, to be green in their work
42. Recycles all batteries
43. In the home office, encourage composting food
44. Encourages agents to visit the EPA website to educate themselves on eco friendly work habits
45. Encourages agents to exercise and walk whenever possible
46. Encourages the purchase of USDA Certified Organic label goods
47. Buys products with minimal packaging
48. Uses green printing services
49. Plans for long term business uses, not short-term to conserve, protect and maintain
50. Encourages agents to advocate green sales, rehab and property management in their services when appropriate