DoodyCalls Green Committee

DoodyCalls franchise owners are not only concerned about creating clean, safe, environmentally sound lawns for all of their clients. They’re also interested in the bigger picture: the health of their local communities and the planet, itself.

At the 2008 National DoodyCalls Convention, franchise owners discussed what they could do to make the world a better place. From these discussions, owners decided to create the DoodyCalls Green Committee. This committee formulated a mission statement (right) and outlined the following specific steps toward reducing the environmental impact of operating a DoodyCalls pet waste removal franchise.

Greenhouse Gases & Your Carbon Footprint

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation and drive the Greenhouse Effect, causing a planetary warming. While carbon dioxide is not the most potent GHG, it is the one most commonly associated with human activities, thereby providing the biggest opportunity for us to personally affect the level of these emissions.

A Carbon Footprint is “the total set of GHG emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product” (UK Carbon Trust). Carbon dioxide is the main gas used to quantify a carbon footprint and is commonly measured in pounds, kilograms or tons.

Certification Levels

The Green Committee has created four green certifications. Franchise owners will have the ability to obtain one of these certifications based on employing different environmentally friendly business practices.

The four certifications, along with the names of franchise owners that have earned them, are as follows:

Level I - Energy Efficiency

• Use regulated thermostats to reduce energy consumption during off-peak times.
• Turn computers off at the end of the work day.
• Replace old light bulbs with new CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) as old bulbs need replacing.
• Replace old business machines with Energy Star-rated new ones as they need replacing.
• Use power strips for office machines.

Level II - Offsetting Business and Transportation Emissions

Franchisees at this Level have completed Level I, and, in addition, offset the carbon emissions from their vehicles and business activities.

DoodyCalls has partnered with Carbonfund.org to offer franchisees the ability to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their operations through certified and verified carbon-reduction projects globally. Franchisees at this level have become CarbonFree® Partners by enrolling in Carbonfund.org’s Small Business Program.. Learn more about Carbonfund.org's carbon dioxide emissions program.

Level III - Supplies Purchasing

Franchisees at this Level have completed Levels I and II, and, in addition:

• Use non-toxic cleaning supplies.
• Use recycled toner and ink cartridges.
• Use napkins, toilet tissue, and paper towels made from recycled paper.
• Use recycled office paper.
• Use disposable containers (cups, plates, etc.) that are either Earth-friendly or recycled.

Level IV - Recycling

Franchisees at this Level have completed Levels I, II and III, and, in addition, have demonstrated the following:

• Use Earth-friendly garbage bags for residential as well as commercial pet waste applications.
• Expand the use of paperless communication.
• Recycle newspaper, cardboard, paper, toner and ink cartridges.
• Buy paper with the highest amount of recycled paper content or that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

About Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading nonprofit carbon reduction and offset organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects where they are most cost effective. Carbonfund.org has over 400,000 individual supporters and works with over 1,000 business and nonprofit partners including Discovery, Avis Budget Group, Amtrak, Volkswagen, Dell, and Staples. Visit www.carbonfund.org.