Members recognized through the Sustainability District must have put in the work to improve the sustainability of their business operations and maximize their positive impact on the destination. Most importantly, they pledge to continuously learn and improve alongside DDC.
Requirements
In order to be recognized through the Sustainable District, a business must:
- Satisfy the minimum number of criteria in its respective category.
- Attend an annual sustainability training led by DDC.
- Attend at least one of DDC’s semi-annual Sustainability Roundtable events each year.
- Improve their offerings and services for residents and visitors in ways that advance environmental protection, equity and economic development for the long term.
Criteria & Thresholds for:
Accommodations
Accommodations
People
- Hosts a DC government-sponsored intern, such as those supported by DDC’s affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation
- Participates in DC Department of Employment Services’ On-the-Job Training Program
- Actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with clear guidelines set for addressing and reporting inappropriate behavior
- Maintains an active and recurring charitable giving initiative and/or gives employees dedicated paid volunteering time during working hours
- Has a formally designated sustainability committee, department, position and/or champion on-site with oversight reporting
- Is accessible for all. Information about accessibility of the premises is clearly available on the website and/or printed materials
- Has a program in place or a partnership to donate excess banquet food
Purpose
- Has a local hiring policy
- Has a procurement policy that specifies at least 25% of supplies come from DC Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
- Provisions include local products, post-consumer products and/or products that carry a third-party sustainability label * A list of approved ecolabels can be provided upon request
- Amenities include products from local vendors
Place
- Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a third-party sustainability certification
- Communicates its sustainability policy on its website
- Participates in and engages employees around goDCgo activities
- Banquet program sources at least ¾ of produce and meat from within a 200-mile radius of DC
- Banquet program sources seafood sustainably according to recognized guides
- Produces one or more menu ingredient(s) on-site
- Makes vegetarian and vegan options readily available on in-room dining and banquet menus
- Has a composting program that includes back-of-house food prep scraps and post-consumer food waste
- Has a water reduction plan and measures progress
- Collects rainwater, reuses gray water or uses another innovative water solution
- Provides refillable water vessels in guest rooms and water refill stations on guest floors
- Has a recycling or donation program for textiles and other miscellaneous materials
- Provides recycling bins in guest rooms, meeting rooms and public spaces
- Has a recycling or donation program for textiles and other miscellaneous materials
- Offers digital billing and key cards
- Has an energy reduction plan with measurable goals
- Procures a portion of its energy from renewable sources
- Provides Meeting Impact Reports upon request, including utility usage and carbon footprint of attendees
- Landscaping promotes pollinators or native plants
- Staff and collateral encourage its guests to use sustainable transportation options
Threshold: 15 of 31
Museums, Shops & Attractions
People
- Hosts a DC government-sponsored intern, such as those supported by DDC’s affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation
- Participates in DC Department of Employment Services’ On-the-Job Training Program
- Actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with clear guidelines set for addressing and reporting inappropriate behavior
- Maintains an active and recurring charitable giving initiative and/or gives employees dedicated paid volunteering time during working hours
- Has a formally designated sustainability committee, department, position and/or champion on-site with oversight reporting
- Is accessible for all. Information about accessibility of the premises is clearly available on the website and/or printed materials
- Promotes local visitation through discount program for DC residents
Purpose
- Has a local hiring policy
- Has a procurement policy that specifies at least 25% of supplies come from DC Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
- Provisions include local products, post-consumer products and/or products that carry a third-party sustainability label * List of approved ecolabels can be provided upon request
- Sells locally sourced or made goods
- Utilizes and/or sells products that are organic label, Fair Trade label or other third-party verified product certification that’s focused on sustainability
- Prioritizes local vendors, producers, materials and contractors when building exhibits and/or displays
Place
- Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a third-party sustainability certification
- Communicates its sustainability policy on its website
- Participates in and engages employees around goDCgo activities
- Visitors can sort at least one other type of waste (ex. compost, batteries) in addition to single-stream recycling receptacles
- Utilizes digital ticketing
- Features water refill stations for customers
- Has an energy reduction plan with measurable goals
- Procures a portion of its energy from renewable sources
- Features landscaping that promotes pollinators or native plants
- Staff and collateral encourage its guests to use sustainable transportation options
- Utilizes a reuse or donation program for used exhibit and/or display materials
Threshold: 12 of 24 for attractions, 9 of 24 for shops
People
- Hosts a DC government-sponsored intern, such as those supported by DDC’s affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation
- Participates in DC Department of Employment Services’ On-the-Job Training Program
- Actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with clear guidelines set for addressing and reporting inappropriate behavior
- Maintains an active and recurring charitable giving initiative and/or gives employees dedicated paid volunteering time during working hours
- Has a formally designated sustainability committee, department, position and/or champion on-site with oversight reporting
- Is accessible for all. Information about accessibility of the premises is clearly available on the website and/or printed materials
- Has a program in place or a partnership to donate excess banquet food
Purpose
- Has a local hiring policy
- Has a procurement policy that specifies at least 25% of supplies come from DC Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
- Provisions include local products, post-consumer products and/or products that carry a third-party sustainability label * List of approved ecolabels can be provided upon request
Place
- Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a third-party sustainability certification
- Communicates its sustainability policy on its website
- Participates in and engages employees around goDCgo activities
- Sources at least ¾ of produce and meat from within a 200-mile radius of DC
- Sources seafood sustainably according to recognized guides
- Can provide customers with accurate information regarding food production chains upon request
- Produces one or more menu ingredient(s) on-site
- Offers vegetarian and/or vegan options (outside of salads)
- Has a composting program that includes back-of-house food prep scraps and post-consumer food waste
- Has an energy reduction plan with measurable goals
- Procures a portion of its energy from renewable sources
- Primarily offers tap water to customers to reduce the use of plastic and glass bottles
- Allows and promotes personal to-go beverage containers, such as coffee mugs, to be refilled *Does not apply to caterers
- Staff and collateral encourage its guests to use sustainable transportation options
Threshold: 12 of 24
Transportation & Tours
People
- Hosts a DC government-sponsored intern, such as those supported by DDC’s affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation
- Participates in DC Department of Employment Services’ On-the-Job Training Program
- Actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with clear guidelines set for addressing and reporting inappropriate behavior
- Maintains an active and recurring charitable giving initiative and/or gives employees dedicated paid volunteering time during working hours
- Has a formally designated sustainability committee, department, position and/or champion on-site with oversight reporting
- Is accessible for all. Information about accessibility of each mode of transportation is clearly available on the website and/or printed materials
Purpose
- Has a local hiring policy for staff and independently contracted tour guides, where applicable
- Has a procurement policy that specifies at least 25% of supplies come from DC Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
- Provisions include local products, post-consumer products and/or products that carry a third-party sustainability label *List of approved ecolabels can be provided upon request
- Offers a localized component to their tour, such as a neighborhood food tour or walking tour off the National Mall
Place
- Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a third-party sustainability certification
- Communicates its sustainability policy on its website
- Participates in and engages employees around goDCgo activities
- Uses electric vehicles or has plans to incorporate EVs into its fleet before 2030
- Measures the carbon footprint of its operations and can provide carbon usage reports by itinerary upon request
- Procures a portion of its energy from renewable sources
- Uses bikes, e-bikes, scooters or other forms of people-powered mobility to conduct tours
- Internally monitors compliance with local idling laws
Threshold: 9 of 18
Venues
People
- Hosts a DC government-sponsored intern, such as those supported by DDC’s affiliated nonprofit, the American Experience Foundation
- Participates in DC Department of Employment Services’ On-the-Job Training Program
- Actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values with clear guidelines set for addressing and reporting inappropriate behavior
- Maintains an active and recurring charitable giving initiative and/or gives employees dedicated paid volunteering time during working hours
- Has a formally designated sustainability committee, department, position and/or champion on-site with oversight reporting
- Is accessible for all. Information about accessibility of the premises is clearly available on the website and/or printed materials
- Has a program in place or a partnership to donate excess banquet food
Purpose
- Has a local hiring policy
- Has a procurement policy that specifies at least 25% of supplies come from DC Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs)
- Provisions include local products, post-consumer products and/or products that carry a third-party sustainability label * List of approved ecolabels can be provided upon request
Place
- Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a third-party sustainability certification
- Communicates its sustainability policy on its website
- Participates in and engages employees around goDCgo activities
- Has a water reduction plan and measures progress
- Provides water refill stations in public areas
- Has a composting program that includes back-of-house food prep scraps and post-consumer food waste
- Has a recycling or donation program for textiles and other miscellaneous materials
- In-house event materials are made from recyclable materials and are reused for more than one event
- Has an energy reduction plan with measurable goals
- Procures a portion of its energy from renewable sources
- Landscaping promotes pollinators or native plants
- Staff and collateral encourage its guests to use sustainable transportation options
Threshold: 11 of 22
Learn more about Destination DC's Sustainability District.