The Standard Brings Home the Gold in Sustainability

The city of Portland has recognized The Standard for its sustainable business practices. The city gave the company its highest level of Sustainability at Work certification — gold level — for practices at its home offices in the Portland area.

The Standard has long worked to increase sustainability and decrease its environmental footprint. The company’s Green Team, the company’s first employee resource group, has helped lead that charge. It has partnered with our real estate and facilities teams to set up sustainability processes and secure LEED gold certification at certain buildings. “While many of us reduce, reuse and recycle at home, implementing sustainable practices in the workplace is a critical component of sustainability,” said Bob Speltz, senior director of Community Relations and sponsor of the Green Team. “I’m honored to work at a company that acts on its commitments to the community and our environment.”

The city evaluates applicants for certification on more than 70 factors. Businesses that are gold certified must meet at least 45 practices to qualify.

Here are some areas for which The Standard earned recognition:

• Recycling
• Employee engagement
• Energy
• Paper
• Water
• Active transportation
• Community engagement