1. Robin Heriges
Office of Sustainable
Practices
Leadership and
Excellence Section
Robin.heriges@tn.gov
(615) 532-8738
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

2. Tennessee’s premier environmental leadership
program for businesses of all sizes.
This program celebrates the excellent
sustainability initiatives of our members, as well
as the economic benefits gained from these
initiatives.
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

3. • EMS Track
• Sustainable Business Track
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

4. Three advancement levels – One, Two and
Three Star
Traditional pollution prevention goals, plus
requirements in materials management,
purchasing and mentoring/community
outreach areas
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

5. Two track system – EMS Track and
Sustainable Business Track
Companies can enter at any level, as long as
requirements and prerequisites are met
Online applications and (future) reporting
options
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

6. EMS Track
• There is a “menu” design for greater
choice under each category
• Goals for materials management that go
far beyond recycling and include such
options as becoming a “Zero Waste”
facility.
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

7. EMS Track
• Component for Supply Chain and/or
Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
• Specific definitions for Good Compliance
• Greater emphasis on sustainability at all
levels
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

8. EMS Track
• At the highest levels, purchase from another
Tennessee Green Star Partner
• Annual reporting requirements in a specific
format-EPA’s GHG Calculator and Cost Savings
Calculator
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

9. Sustainable Business Track
• Exciting area of expansion to include
businesses previously untapped by
leadership programs, including such
ventures as hospitality companies, grocers,
small offices of all types, agricultural
concerns—any business that is interested
in meeting the requirements
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

10. Sustainable Business Track
• “Checklist” formatted in order for
businesses to earn points for
environmental activities, much like the
LEED or Green Globes certification models
• Several areas of measurement, featuring
recycling, energy conservation, water
conservation and community outreach
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

11. Sustainable Business Track
• Required specific activities and a total of a
point score for each of the ten
components
• Certain required activities can be “not
applicable”, especially for companies that
are renters and cannot affect certain
building policies
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

12. Sustainable Business Track Example
Implement the seven (7) required measures (in bold) below and at least four (4) additional measures from this section
Yes N/A
There is equipment, a policy, and/or signage in place to ensure: (please provide supporting documentation to
TGSP)
Lighting fixtures, diffusers, and lamps are cleaned and burnt out bulbs
replaced at six month intervals, if not more often
Blinds/curtains are closed when sun is striking to reduce A/C load
Lighting control devices such as timers and sensors are checked and adjusted
at six month intervals
Equipment is turned off when not in use
Lights are turned off when not in use, if motion sensors are not used
A/C thermostat(s) are set to 76 degrees (or higher) and heating thermostat(s)
are set to 68 degrees (or lower)
Date Implemented
Refrigerator(s) are set to 38 degrees (or higher) and freezer(s) to 10 degrees
(or higher)

13. Benefits for both tracks
• Inclusion in our Green Directory, which will be
prominently featured on our website
Increased recognition through TGSP website
and more proactive PR from our staff
• Greater networking and education
opportunities through workshops and
webinars
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

14. Benefits for both tracks
• Use of the TGSP logo on your website,
materials and storefront
• Business between TGSP members
• There are more benefits that we are
working towards and will be announcing as
soon as they are finalized
Tennessee Green Star Partnership

15. Reach us at TGS.Partnership@tn.gov
Tennessee Green Star Partnership