Some suggested reading...
tips to "green your small business"
While many businesses are offering more environmentally friendly service options and or products, others have not yet integrated any greener practices into their business model. These days integrating greener strategies has become more financially feasible, can offer long term money saving options as well as reducing a business's carbon footprint and environmental impact — which can ultimatley allow for its brand to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few ideas to get you started...
firstly, no Greenwashing please
Going green with your business can offer added value to your customers. Not to mention much healthier options! And in an era of authenticity and transparency, consumers are becoming much more savvy —
So beware of Greenwashing!!! This is "the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice."
Remember: you want to reflect credibility!
consider a "green" hosting company
AISO offers affordable eco-friendly website hosting for businesses of all sizes. Their data center and network are powered by on-site solar panels, rather than energy credits. "AISO.net's mission is to be the most reliable and responsible green web hosting company". Visit
AISO.net for more info.
Another viable option to consider is Green Web Hosting services provided by HostGator. They too offer reasonable rates with less of a carbon footprint.
to print or not to print?
While business cards and certain marketing materials will require printing, consider utilizing a Green Printer — one who offers options such as soy-based inks, recycled paper and/or papers made out of more sustainable materials such as hemp or even stone. Check out Eco-papers or Fiberstone®. Be mindful of the actual quantities you need to print. Furthermore consider if printing is a necessity? Online .pdfs which customers could easliy download at their convenience could be another option.
With iPads & tablets becoming increasingly popular, give serious thought to what you print vs. what folks can easily view online. This could save time, money and countless resources!
online advertising & social media (go paperless!)
Online advertising is a great way to "go-green" as there is literally no paper invloved. And with a litany of options to get your brand noticed and some recognition via Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more —
you could be saving money and resources at the same time. This can give you the opportunity to focus in on your target audience and reach them with an array of online methods.
Before you know it and when done correctly, folks could be "liking" you and tweeting about you — which can not only establish your brand but lead to sales. Nary a tree harmed:)
Google Apps for small business
For a small monthly fee, these powerful online tools from Google may be a huge asset to your business. Google Apps for Business is a suite of online tools including email, calendar, documents and more. Apps offers custom email addresses (@your_company.com) and 25 GB of storage space, access Apps using any computer, tablet or mobile phone — "Work from anywhere with anyone" even share documents in real time. For $5.00 per month per employee, with a bounty of great features Google Apps could be a great tool in your repertoire with no paper involved!
lightbulbs: bye bye incandescents, hello EcoSmart LEDs
While the jury may still be out on the fat of incandescent bulbs, with lighting using up so much energy, cost saving options are important. CFL (the swirly looking bulbs) have been all the rage and are a decent option — however they still contain small amounts of mercury making their disposal tricky. Enter the new heavy hitter: EcoSmart LED bulbs! Using 80% less energy and a life expectancy of 22 years or more, it's almost a no-brainer. They are being sold at the Home Depot. Yes they come with a higher price tag at about $17-$20 per bulb. But with no toxic disposal issues and not having to change a lightbulb bulb for 20+ years? Sign me up!!
For more info on green lightening, check out this great guide provided by Inhabitat: Green Lighting 101: Your Guide to Energy Efficient Interior Lighting.
Ideally getting completely off the grid is a wonderful concept. And who is to say that as more options become available, and costs come down, more businesses will be able to embrace it. However, currently not every business is in a position to afford a full blown solar installation — as nice as that may be. Enter the
Windsource option!
Many utility companies now offer windpower - which can usually be purchased in kilowatt blocks. You can estimate how much you want to purchase based on your past usage or convert over to Windsource completely. Visit your utilities website or call them for more information so you can make a decision that best serves the needs of your business.
get to know your supply chain - Go Local!
Admittedly with the way things are and how much is actually manufactured overseas, this one can be tricky. But let's say for example, purchasing solar panels from China only to have them shipped to the US is not exactly "green" - nor does it do much to support our economy or jobs in the US! So really look at this factor. Get to know some of your local or US options for products & services and also consider Calculating the Carbon Footprint of your business.
You may find it to be an eye-opening experience indeed!
Greening Your Supply Chain - How to reduce your environmental impact
recycling: this one should be a given!!
At this stage of the game, Recycling really should be a no-brainer. With curb-side pick up options — not to mention co-mingling — meaning you no longer need to separate out cans, bottles, paper, cardboard or plastic which is great! Diverting the countless tons of items which can technically be recycled is such a great thing all the way around. Once you really look at it and see how much you can recycle, you'll be amazed at how little trash you actually have. Read more about Recycling Centers at Earth 911 or to find a center near you!
Check out Best Buy's "e-cycling" for electronics which is available nationwide. It includes TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Or you may see an ecoATM coming to a town near you in the future. These Futuristic Kiosks spit out cash for Recycled Electronics!
other things to consider...
sustainable office products
Use eco-friendly office supplies - Sustainable Earth by Staples - "Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., announced the expansion of its Sustainable Earth line to include janitorial paper products and kitchen items including cups, plates, and cutlery.
The majority of the products have been certified for recycled content or compostability by Green Seal or the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).
The Sustainable Earth line of products also includes remanufactured toner cartridges, office products made from recycled material and cleaning supplies."
no more plastic water bottles!
If you find yourself at Costco, Sam's or heaven-forbid Wal-Mart each month stocking up on Plastic Water bottles STOP!! These bottles are some of the worst environmental offenders!! Opt for the purchase of some Brita Water Pitchers instead! Each Brita filter can get rid of 300 of those bottles keeping those nasty bottles out of our oceans and landfills!
It's time more businesses became aware of their waste - especially plastic!
Wondering where your plastic is winding up? See the Pacific Garbage Patch!
Have any "green" business tips you'd like to share that have benefited your business? Do tell!