Is it feasible for small businesses to go “Green”?

After the blockbuster hit “An Inconvenient Truth” hit the big screen, we all got a bit of a shock as to the current state of our environment.  With extensive media coverage and current advancements in technology covering issues around environmentalism, we are now more environmentally conscious. Many if not most companies have begun to capitalize on this Green Movement and guess what?  Consumers love it.  Consumers like buying “Green” because it makes them feel good about helping the environment in some way however small it may be. Businesses are continually trying to find new ways of doing their part in the fight for a better planet. When a company is looking to become “Green” they must first understand what being “Green” mean;  to actively strive for the improvement of humanity, the environment and the world as a whole. This may seem like an impossible task, but it is not, as long as everyone does as much as they can to help.

Going ‘Green’ is an affordable process that all businesses should adopt. It goes beyond corporate responsibility to encompass necessary steps to foster awareness and promote environmental change and sustainability.

Small businesses are helping by taking action on a very harmful habit of today’s society; exceeding waste.  These initiatives have taken the form of new and innovative ways of recycling, re-using and reducing the waste. Companies all across the world are finding ways to take a specific garbage item that fills our landfills and turning it into something useable. For instance, EvCo Research, in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in finding uses for recycled PET products such as plastic bottles using them as adhesive, water repellent coating, binders and other products.

Ways small businesses are going “Green”:

1. Organic Products have been exploding into the market unlike any other.  There are organic products ranging from lipstick to beer totoiletries, and there is still room for more. All it takes is a little imagination to find a way to make a generally harmful product organic.
2. Recycling waste to make new useable products is a growing trend with eco-friendly companies.
3. Taking advantage of government grants and cash prizes offered by large companies; like GE and Chevrolet, to small businesses that are taking a “Green” initiative. Even banks are rushing to invest their money in these businesses.
4. Using environmentally friendly office equipment and switching their company cars for Hybrids. Tax benefits are a bonus for those companies that do their part for the environment.

So do you think that that it Is feasible for small businesses to go “Green”? Of course, the initial start up cost may seem steep but it more than pays for itself financially and environmentally. And really, turning the thermostat down a few degrees is a small price to pay for the longevity of our planet and it will save you a couple of bucks as well.

Once you have started this don’t be shy to talk about it and encourage other people and small businesses to follow suit.