Each Green Mark level consists of a five-step process:

• An initial appraisal;
• The Initial Report – outlining actions to be taken;
• Final Audit;
• The Award Stage; and
• Reassessment.

Step 1 - Initial Appraisal

This short appraisal will be held onsite with your assigned Green Mark Advisor, who will do a walk-around review to get a sense of the company’s operation and establish areas for environmental improvement. This should take 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2 - The Initial Report

Your Green Mark Adviser will create a tailored action report containing straightforward, low or no cost guidelines on how you can:

• Improve your environmental performance.
• Comply with environmental legislation.
• Put environmental best practice initiatives in place.
• Reduce operational costs through increasing efficiency.
• Develop or review your environmental policy.
• Communicate environmental achievements.

Step 3 - Taking Action

Over an agreed timeframe, typically 1-3 months, you will schedule and implement the actions. Your Green Mark Adviser will be available by telephone and email to support your progress throughout this stage.

Step 4 - The Final Audit

Lasting half a day, your Final Audit will assess the progress you’ve made against your Green Mark Action Report.

Step 5 - Award Review

A final report will outline if you’ve achieved a Green Mark.

Demonstrating your commitment to Greener business practices

If you successfully achieve a Green Mark you’ll get a certificate to display in your reception area. You’ll also be sent marketing materials, including a high resolution logo to display on your website, brochures, fliers or anywhere else where your logo is featured.

Recertification

To recertify you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve maintained and improved you environmental performance. Organisations holding a Green Mark Level 1 are encouraged to progress to Level 2 after 1 – 2 years.