Resources

Taking the Next Step

Sustainability is a journey. Below are resources from Destination DC (DDC), the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and more. 

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DDC Educational Resources

• DDC Sustainability Webinar: The first steps in making your business more sustainable. Originally recorded for members of DEI Business Fellowship program. 
• Sustainability District Training Webinar: All about consumer demand, marketing strategies and certifications in the sustainability space.
• What DDC Members Are Saying: A recap from DDC’s last Sustainability Roundtable. The event is held twice annually, in January and July. 

Local Plans & Financial Resources 

• Anacostia Watershed Society: Neighborhood-level green infrastructure, stormwater and water-quality initiatives in DC’s watershed.
• DC Greens & 2024 Ward 7‑8 Resource Guide: Community-led guide and network supporting food justice and sustainability in underserved wards.
• DC Metro Area Food Portal: Local farms, farmers' markets and food hubs.
• DOEE Climate Ready DC: A resilience framework helping businesses plan for extreme heat, flooding, sea-level rise and other climate risks.
• DOEE Energy Efficiency Programs for Businesses: Rebates, DC PACE financing, green roof and commercial clean energy incentives for local businesses. 
• DOEE Resources for Sustainable Businesses: resources and incentives for businesses in the District interested in becoming more sustainable.
• DOEE Small and Accessible Sustainability Grant Funding: small grant opportunities for businesses and organizations who seek to implement green initiatives or infrastructure.
• DOEE Sustainable DC 2.0: An actionable roadmap on integrating energy, waste, water, equity and nature.
• DOEE Zero Waste DC: A pathway to Zero Waste for the city, eventually diverting 80 percent of solid waste away from landfill and waste-to-energy by 2032.
• WACIF Sustainable DC Project: Grants, loans and advisory services supporting BIPOC/women-owned small businesses in sustainability.

Energy Efficiency & Water Conservation 

• American Council for an Energy‑Efficient Economy: National nonprofit offering research, policy guidance and regional benchmarking relevant to DC businesses.
• Casey Trees: Local nonprofit restoring tree canopy to support cooling, stormwater retention and quality of life in DC.
• DC Green Bank: Financing for projects in clean energy and efficiency, targeting small businesses and nonprofits.
• DC Sustainable Energy Utility: Custom energy audits, rebates and contractor referrals to improve building efficiency.
• Emerald Cities Collaborative: DC‑based nonprofit advancing equitable urban retrofits, workforce development and clean energy in buildings.

Waste Reduction & Circular Economy 

• Community Forklift: Local reuse warehouse collecting donations of new and gently used building materials and home essentials for redistribute in the community.
• Cool Food Pledge: Food service providers reduce food-related emissions through climate-smart sourcing and menus.
• DC Food Policy Council: A coalition of public and government food leaders appointed by the Mayor to create a just, healthy, equitable and sustainable food system for all.
• DC Food Recovery Week: Annual initiative to push to reduce the 40 percent of food that’s wasted on average in the United States.
• DOEE Circular Economy & Reuse Resources: Guidance on electronics recycling, reuse, composting and food diversion programs.
• Food Rescue US-DC: Food recovery that directs nutritious, surplus food to those in need across the DMV.
• Nourish Now: Food recovery and donation services from businesses to residents, shelters, food pantries and more.
• ReuseDC: DC government-led initiative encouraging repair, donation or thrifting for household items. Also supports food recovery and item exchanges with neighbors
• Rheaply: Free marketplace-style reuse platform for businesses and nonprofits.
• Washington Parks & People Cool Capital Challenge: Local grants and community programs for recycling, urban wood reuse and neighborhood greening.
• World Resources Institute Food Service Playbook: Practical toolkit for sustainable procurement and waste diversion.
• Zero Food Waste Coalition: Group of consumers, businesses and government building alignment on food waste policy. Includes a policy toolkits and menu planning. 

Procurement & Food

• Urban Agriculture in Washington, DC: DOEE's map of local farms within the boundaries of the city.
• Rooting DC: Rooting DC is the District’s central meeting ground for District residents, nonprofits, businesses, and government entities looking to grow gardens and a healthier food system in the nation’s capital.
• USDA Organic Integrity Database: Find a specific certified organic farm or business based on location.

Carbon Measurement & Climate Action Planning 

• DOEE Climate Planning & GHG Inventory: Official data and emission reduction roadmaps aligned for business adoption in carbon planning.
• Ecosystem Marketplace: Tools and market data on waste reduction and ecosystem services valuation.
• EPA GHG Emissions Factors Hub: Easy-to-use set of default emission factors for organizational greenhouse gas reporting.
• Global Reporting Initiative Standards: Global standard for greenhouse gas emission reporting.
• Resources for the Future: DC‑based economic think tank providing carbon pricing analysis and climate policy planning tools.
• Trees4Events by ZEERO Events: Comprehensive emissions calculator for meeting planners, hoteliers and venue managers. 

Certification & Recognition Pathways 

• DOEE District Sustainability Awards: Annual recognition for local businesses achieving measurable environmental and social impact.
• DOEE Sustainable Business Registry: Free business listing and credential program linking DC businesses with sustainability support and promotion.
• EPA Green Hotels: List of global, national and regional resources, ecolabels and standards for hoteliers
• EPA Greener Food Service and Food Service Ware: Resources on sustainable food service practices and products
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council Certification Criteria: Foundational standards for hotel, tour operator and destination certification programs globally.
• Green Key Global: Hotel and lodging industry sustainability certification.
• Green Restaurant Association: An industry group helping restaurants obtain science-based certifications.
• Guide to LEED Certification: Certification that assesses and verifies the sustainability of buildings, interiors and communities. 

Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Industry Practices 

• Environmental and Energy Study Institute: DC‑based nonprofit hosting hospitality briefings focused on energy efficiency, resilience and policy.
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council: Governance body that sets international sustainability criteria for hotels, tours and destinations.
• Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure: Offers the Envision framework used for sustainable infrastructure in venues, transportation and public hospitality sites.
• Regenerative Travel: Nonprofit network promoting tourism that restores nature, culture and community.
• World Travel and Tourism Council Hotel Sustainability Basics: Hotel Sustainability Basics is a globally recognized and coordinated set of sustainability indicators that all hotels should implement as a minimum. 

More Educational Tools & Webinars 

• DOEE Sustainable Business Training: Online modules and live workshops on food, energy, waste, circular economy, equity, compliance and sustainability.
• DOEE Train Green SEICBP: DC Sustainable Energy Utility certification workshops in energy efficiency and renewables for contractors and hospitality staff teams.
• Sustainable Travel International Road to Net Zero Webinar Series: Webinar series demystifying climate action in the travel industry. 

Learn more about Destination DC's Sustainability District