What is a “green business”?

A “green business” can be defined as an organization that uses renewable resources (environmentally sustainable) and holds itself accountable for the human resource aspect of their activities (socially responsible).

Being green requires developing an attitude toward sustainability and practices that can be incorporated into our everyday lives.  Being a green business means changing the way a business purchases, develops, produces, and provides products and services so it has a positive impact on the environment. Think of the planet as a warehouse of goods.  When you use the goods, you have to pay for them with money or fair trade.  When you use the environment’s resources, you have to pay the environment back to offset your consumption.

Shades of green

There is a misconception that “becoming a green business” means being a radical “environmentalist” from the “green movement” of the past.  This is NOT the case.  Think of the old “green movement” as “dark green” and “becoming a green business” as a “bright green”.  There are many shades of green in between.  You will have to decide what shade of green you want your business to be.

To help you decide what shade you want to be, ask yourself these ten questions.

1. What are my reasons for becoming green?
2. Are there any market factors involved?
3. How does being green integrate with my business plan?
4. How does being green give me a competitive edge?
5. Am I starting a new green business or am I running an existing business that wants to slowly move toward being green?
6. Do I want to be 100% green or are there areas I will not be green?
7. In any area where I cannot go green, how can I offset my consumption?
8. Do I want to have my business certified as being green?
9. Are there any green groups in my area, or should I start one?
10. When choosing to purchase products and services, how do I qualify them as green?

Choosing which shade of green – a practical example of picking a green product.

Recently, many companies have chosen to make reusable shopping bags available to their customers.  Each has chosen a different approach.  Company ‘A’ chose to provide large bags made of a thick blue plastic material with cloth handles imprinted with their logo.  Company ‘B’ chose to go with black cloth bags with their logo imprinted on the side, and Company ‘C’ went with small cloth bags made of hemp and had their logo imprinted using soy-based inks.  Each company thinks they made a good “green” choice.  As you can see from this example, Company ‘C’ chose the most environmentally friendly product, but is it really the “greenest” if it is too small to hold enough products?  Will people continue to use it or just throw it away?

by Startup Nation Kevin Slovick.

Home Business Ideas

• Ten Business Ideas at this link Pdf Green Business
•  Make Organic Soap
• Create Organic Gardens for Small Spaces
• Become a Green Consultant

Green consultants are popping up everywhere. These consultants do a thorough evaluation of a home or business, and then put together a strategy to help people find ways to go green and save money.

•  Make Soy or Beeswax Candles
• Get into Green Crafting
• Eco-Travel Agency
• Green-E-commerce
• Green Business Referrals
• GreenBiz ( Enviromental Business News )
• Zero-waste retail shop

Books and Resourses for your Green Business at Home! 

75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make A Difference

 The green market is the next big boom industry for entrepreneurs looking to make money—and make a difference. Discover 75 green startup ideas in multiple industries, including eco-tourism, small wind power, green schools, water conservation landscaping, green investment consulting and more. For each business, Croston shows you the market, product to be delivered, resources needed, major hurdles ahead, competitors and strategies for success. You can find this useful book at Amazon

Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World.

Today’s business landscape is changing in fundamental ways: Natural resources are growing ever more scarce and expensive. Technology and changing consumer expectations are making transparency a fact of life. The rise of emerging economies creates vast market opportunities for companies―and better living standards for hundreds of millions. In Sustainable Excellence, Aron Cramer and Zachary Karabell tell the stories of the companies who are transforming themselves by responding to these paradigm shifts and in the process shaping the future. Find the Book at Amazon