Green Map Icons

Business or service that offers sustainable products and/or practices and includes resource conservation and environmental responsibility, corporate social responsibility (CSR), worker and community wellbeing. Criteria should be set carefully and included on the map or your website.

Ecological and socially conscious tourism that promotes energy efficiency, water/waste conservation, awareness and local economic opportunities in urban and rural settings. Can include sites of all kinds of interest to visitors, including tours, a green hotel, hostel or eco-camping site. Ecotourism focuses on local culture heritage, nature, social benefit, volunteering and education.

Products, materials or building elements exchange, second-hand market or store. Significant reused buildings, other examples of creative reuse and even online resources can be included.

A place that contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers without compromising natural resources. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) support producers, raise awareness and promote higher standards for international labor, environmentalism and social issues compared to the practices of conventional international trade.

The emphasis is on wholesome, healthful, fresh foods, made with local and/or organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan foods (no animal products whatsoever) are served. Meat and dairy products are from ethically treated animals raised carefully to minimize environmental and health impacts, without additives, genetic modifications or factory farm practices. Endangered fish, marine and other species are not served. Cooperatively-owned cafes, cafes that grow their own food as well as "Slow Food" sites can be included, as can traditional or special local cuisines.

Business with exemplary environmental and social responsibility standards and practices, and is a good neighbor. Ideally, their products are green, as well. May belong to a CSR (corporate social responsibility) program or include CSR on public reports and websites.

Place where you can rent or share items (such as a bicycle, vehicle, garden tools, outdoor activities or party-ware) rather than purchasing it. Membership may be necessary, or can be a casual ‘community toolshed’.

Local food that is grown very near to where it is consumed, so it has fewer 'food miles' that decrease freshness and increase ecological impacts associated with shipping long distances. Organic food is grown without pesticides (biocides), genetic modification or synthetic fertilizers. No chemicals or waxes are added after harvesting. If processed, it is usually prepared in a way to maximize the nutritional value. May also include fair trade or direct trade practices. Note: Does a supermarket with a small selection of organic or local produce deserve this icon? If your research indicates this site should be on the map, consider clarifying it in your description.

Drop-off site for materials that can be reprocessed or refilled. Includes businesses that buy, work with or sell products made from recycled materials, information resources, and good examples of recycled materials in use.

May include earth-built homes of natural materials such as adobe or straw, or other locally-sourced materials. This homemade housing often reuses materials and building elements.

Site where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone) are reduced, preferably using green technology. May be measured, offset, traded, etc. May include informational sites related to GHG, or carbon capture projects, fuel/technology switching, carbon concierge, carbon calculator or footprinting, etc.

Renewable, alternative or other sustainable technology sites. May include clean technologies, zero emission, biomass and clean energy generation, new and appropriate technology sites. An eco-industrial park, low-tech initiative, research, pilot project, related agencies and funding sources can use this icon.

Practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water, and materials while reducing building impacts on health and the environment throughout the complete building life cycle by incorporating better siting, design, construction, systems, operation, maintenance, and removal. May include tours, suppliers, organizations and training programs. May be called a sustainable building, environmental building, natural building, sustainable design, green architecture and can include building certification such as LEED or Passive House.

Place that efficiently eliminates or carefully manages the use of paper through digital document sharing and archiving, double-sided printing, paper reuse and thorough recycling. This 'indoor' icon may mark a single room/office in a complex.

Place where you can see solar panels, passive solar examples and/or get information about this form of renewable energy. Includes buildings, organizations, training programs, solar energy shops and contractors, government and utility company sites.

Site or service that uses non-toxic products designed to work as well as typical commercial products, but that use renewable, less harmful, phosphate-free and biodegradable ingredients. Usually not tested on animals. May be concentrated or non-scented, without fumes, VOCs or residues. An 'indoor' icon, may have official standards for schools and other institutions.

Place where food waste, leaves, garden and lawn cuttings are biodegraded into rich new soil. Can include large-scale or demonstration projects, drop-off sites, or places to buy locally produced compost, or to get information, worms and resources for indoor and garden composting.

Center or resource for research in natural sciences, environmental studies and related sciences and technologies benefiting biodiversity and humanity. May be indoors or outdoors.

Site, service, project or products that minimize the use of energy.

Uses plants, aquatic animals, layered soils, movement, (constructed) wetlands and/or swales to aerate, filter and purify water, without adding chemicals. Systems that slow the drainage in the built environment, grey water, rainwater gardens, rain barrels and other types of high and low technology water recycling systems that reduce consumption can be included.

A planted roof that cools and cleans the air and retains rainwater while providing beauty, wildlife habitat, fire and soundproofing. Intensive Green Roofs may used as a garden and Extensive Green Roofs are designed to be viewed but not walked upon. Green roofs are also referred to as eco-roofs, vegetated roofs, living roofs, planted roof, biotope or cool roof.

Site where a geothermal exchange is used underground to heat and cool buildings, household and pool water, etc., reducing energy use for heating and air conditioning systems. Ground storage heat sites may include geysers, hot springs, buildings and bathhouses.

Includes waterwheels, tidal power and wave power, all generated by the water's natural movement. Sometimes called marine power. Not for large-scale dams or hydro-power projects which can devastate biodiversity both upstream and downstream.

Wind turbines and windmills that harness energy generated by the wind are located on this site. Can be a small system or a large grid electricity generating facility. Can indicate wind power information resources or a site that offsets its electricity needs with wind power.