Sustainability Assessment Membership

Maine Businesses for Sustainability’s Assessment Membership is offered in collaboration with Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences.  In addition to all the great benefits of MBS membership, this membership level helps businesses drive their bottom lines, benchmark their sustainability progress and more effectively market their sustainable practices to their customers, stakeholders and the public.  Two of the membership levels offered make participating businesses eligible to become either a MBS Certified Maine Sustainability Champion; or our highest level of sustainability achievement, a Certified Maine Sustainability Leader.

Using a sustainability scorecard developed by Maine Businesses for Sustainability and Manomet, businesses have three options, at three different costs, for participation: Basic Assessment which allows the member business to self assess using our score card; Assessment and Consultation membership which is an interactive consultation and assessment and makes the participating business eligible for certification; and Assessment, Consultation and Marketing membership which provides both an interactive assessment consultation as well as a sustainability story written by MBS for use in marketing materials, reports to stakeholders, etc.

Undertaking the assessment (whether through self assessment or with consultation), creating a path for performance improvement, communicating progress along that path, and celebrating results are all activities that can drive profits, reduce environmental footprint and improve a business's social responsibility.  In addition, these elements help you present a powerful, resilient and engaging brand to your constituents.

Basic Assessment Membership.  This membership level allows member access to the online tool for self-assessment purposes. Online tool generates a score and provides feedback on local resources to help business improve their score.

Assessment & Consultation Membership.  At this membership level, businesses complete the assessment and then work with Manomet to discover any opportunities for improving their score.   Members at this level are eligible for certification.

Assessment, Consultation & Marketing.  At this membership level, businesses complete the assessment and then work with Manomet to discover any opportunities for improving their score.  MBS writes a Sustainability Story for business to use in marketing, promotion, employee engagement, etc.  Members at this level are eligible for certification. 

Assessment Membership Dues

While rigorous, the assessment is designed to encourage sustainable practices - the very first step in becoming more sustainable is assessing your operations.  Our assessment is intended to help businesses learn innovative ways to save money, expand their bottom line and grow through sustainable practices. You do not need to be ‘sustainable’ to participate and we encourage all businesses, regardless of present practices, to engage in this process. Through this process you will find cost savings, increased consumer goodwill, and gain important insights into how you can improve your operational efficiency while reducing your carbon footprint and increasing your community relations.

Scoring and Certification