photo credit: Creap

The transition to start a “green business” or “eco-friendly” one, as it is often called, is not I had launched
one of Mississippi’s first health food stores. There was no Internet, no Google, no blogging, nothing.
I paid high rent in a mall across from the local university. The local townsfolk felt I might be
possessed to believe that natural products might be better than what could be bought at A & P Grocery.
(I am showing my age here).

Many years career changes later, I finally settled on e-commerce and cartooning. I found a way
to have my cartoon images printed on demand and drop-shipped. Sales were great from the start, as
I had already built a name with a non-commerce producing cartoon site. There was one problem. I wanted some of my items, particularly tshirts to be made from organic cotton. I knew that I was and am but one person, but when I read that regular cotton production accounts for 10% of the world’s insecticide pollution, I knew I had to do something.

I started my search in 2006 after opening the first of my stores. No luck. I made call after call.
I did manage to find some organic textile manufacturers, but they wanted me to order the product in bulk and resell it. That is not “my thing”. So I kept trying.

Suddenly this year, while reading various blogs on unique cartoon gifts and collectibles, I ran across a post stating the name of a print-on-demand firm that offered not only men’s and women’s organic
cotton tees, but also made with totally nontoxic dyes. This was a major concern to me. I had remembered when in the health food business, back when non-food organic items were rarely paid much attention, I had told an organic clothing salesperson that if they could promise me the dyes were nontoxic, I would give them a try. They were not, and I’ve since learned many organic and other so-called organic items are printed with toxic dyes.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a fanatic. But many of my customers have a certain lifestyle. Just because it is organic, is not enough. It has to be healthy, and healthy means natural dyes. Just
this month, I found the firm, and finally, after a two year search, found the firm.

I launched the store this month and, true to form, those regular customers who had queried me so often about having “green merchandise” in the inventory are happy as can be, not to mention healthier. Our earth is fragile, and, often it seems easier to be ambivalent. But everyone can do a little something to make a difference. I by launching the store it has made my own approach toward the environment change (for the more positive). I try to wear the organics more often than not. I recycle. I associate
with a whole new network who are either own a green business or are transitioning towards one.
It is a very healthy and positive group of smart, savvy people with a good conscience and heart.

Rick London an entrepreneur and cartoonist, and founder of the Internet’s most popular offbeat cartoon, Londons Times. He just launched his first “green store” Rick London Organics http://www.ricklondonorganics.info which sells 100% organic cotton tees for men and women using totally non-toxic dyes. He also owns other stores such as Rick London Collection http://www.ricklondoncollection.com and his large megastore http://www.LTSuperstore.com

photo credit: Gustty

Instituting environmentally friendly practices does not mean sacrificing your competitive edge. Business owners are realizing that they can make a bigger impact by changing their business policies than by changing their personal behavior, and this has lead to a change in corporate culture over the last few years that has resulted in a notable environmental impact.

In the past, efforts to institute eco-friendly business practices were admirable, but these efforts appear negligible compared to the changes that are being made today. Minimizing the consumption of paper products and electricity are still effective ways for companies to save money and help the environment at the same time, but many companies are stepping outside these standardized boundaries to effect big changes.

Many companies are choosing to enact organization-wide policies that take enormous effort and patience, and the results of these efforts are just now filtering in. Leaving the choice in the hands of consumers often results in poor choices, but when companies choose to be careful about what they produce and how they produce it, the impact can be tremendous.

In the Great Lakes area of the United States and Canada, wind energy is becoming an increasingly viable source of power for companies of all sizes. Wind powered electricity costs only slightly more than standard electricity for the consumer, and many conscientious business owners are willing to pay the premium. For the producers of electricity, using wind power makes sense as a way to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Reducing dependence on one commodity allows the producers to further diversify and create a more sustainable financial future for their company. Thus, both the producers and consumers of wind powered electricity benefit from the creation of this clean, environmentally friendly energy source.

Pascale Engineering, a producer of portable trade show displays and trade show flooring in the Great Lakes area, has completely converted to the use of wind powered electricity in its state-of-the-art production facility. In addition to being totally wind powered, Pascale Engineering produces recycled and recyclable trade show displays that are quickly making their way into the market. These displays give exhibitors nationwide a green alternative in their trade show marketing campaign, which only serves to further the environmental goals of many companies.

End users are virtually unaware of the progress made by Pascale Engineering, as they notice no difference in cost. In fact, the Exhibit One Display System line or products produced by Pascale Engineering has seen a marketable increase in quality with no increase in cost. Thanks to research into lighter weight plywood materials, the Exhibit One product line has become more durable and more lightweight. This saves end users huge amounts of money in shipping costs each year, and increases their overall satisfaction with the product. In an effort to make their production process cause less waste, many products within the Exhibit One line use the exact same component pieces. In fact, the entire Exhibit One line can now be produced from a catalog consisting of less than a hundred parts. This means that if exhibitors want to upgrade their trade show display package, they do not always need to purchase new components, as the parts can simply be rearranged in many cases. This saves exhibitors enormous amounts of money each year. Positive environmental change does not always have to be associated with negative economic impact.

Simple changes in business practices and purchasing can make an enormous impact on the environment, and the cost of the choices is usually minimal or non-existent. Whether or not you believe that carbon emissions are the culprit behind our increasingly unstable global climate, there are simple changes that can be made that would make a big impact on the health of our planet.

Andy Keeler is the owner of MODdisplays. They specialize in trade show displays and exhibit graphics at and their trade show booths are environmentally friendly. MODDisplays can be found online at: http://www.moddisplays.com

photo credit: bbjee

Small-business owners often think of ‘going green’ as a double-edged sword. On one hand, many think of going green as the right thing to do to support the environment and the local community. Yet many also see it as an extra expense that cannot be recouped.

As a small-business owner, what should you do? Is the amount of time and money you’ll spend on going green worth the investment?

The answer is: Yes. Go green. More and more companies are going green every day.

Most small-business owners do not know that environmental management can be beneficial to the company in ways that go well beyond helping the environment:

· From an internal operations perspective, going green can actually reduce costs and help avoid liabilities, as well as present unexpected business opportunities if your company can provide an environmental solution to others. You can even go so far as to obtain certification from an independent third party so you can include their logo or “ecolabel” on your product and other green marketing materials. Ecolabeling helps market your product to green-conscious consumers.

· From an external perspective, by going green your company is that much more attractive to investors, lenders, insurers, customers and employees.

Environmental management is quickly becoming a bottom-line benefit – and a proverbial win-win – for small businesses.

Not All or Nothing

Environmental management is not an all-or-nothing proposition. There is so much that can be done to go green – from buying green products to recycling to using green technologies to moving to solar power. The multitude of options can seem overwhelming.

Yet, there is a tangible approach to environmental management that can be easily mapped out and implemented according to how you prefer to do business. It involves, simply, developing an Environmental Action Plan.

How do you develop this Environmental Action Plan? The place to start is the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has put together a workbook designed specifically to help small businesses go green. This workbook is called the Small Business Environmental Management Plan Workbook and can be found and downloaded at the Business.gov web site.

Step One: Develop an Environmental Policy

The first step is to take some time to develop an environmental policy. This is both an internal and external statement that formalizes your company’s level of commitment toward going green.

First decide what is most appropriate for your management and employees. Whether implementing a recycling program or moving to solar power, decide on what will work best for you. Then, put this decision into a formal document. The document will serve two purposes:

· to help communicate to the entire company your environmental level of commitment, as well as a first step toward communicating employees’ environmental responsibilities

· to help communicate your environmental management plans to suppliers, customers, shareholders, and the community so everyone will be aware of where your company stands in its efforts to go green.
There is also an environmental policy worksheet – including guidelines and samples – in the EPA Environmental Management Plan Workbook.

Step Two: Assemble an Environmental Manual

An Environmental Manual will be your “how to” document. This will map out the details of your environmental management strategy and how, exactly, you plan to go green.

This document should include things such as those environmental regulations and permits that pertain to your business, as well as best practices for environmental management. It is important to note that these details will be quite different depending on your industry and your business. Regulations, permits, and best practices will be vastly different for food service, healthcare service, or landscape service businesses.

And, of course, there is also an environmental manual planning worksheet – including guidelines and samples – in the EPA Environmental Management Plan Workbook.

Step Three: Go Green

Once you’ve got the details in place, it’s time to go green – according to your Environmental Policy and Environmental Manual. You must, of course, implement any necessary training and additional communication to company employees. You should also:

· Keep records of your environmental management activities

· Monitor your environmental compliance

· Measure your environmental performance

· Report your environmental results

Once your environmental management plan has been in place for a significant amount of time, you’ll also want to conduct an environmental review to see what’s working, what’s not, and what other policies you may want to put in place over time.

Conclusion

There is so much you can do as a small business to go green. While moving to solar power may be out of your reach, implementing a simple recycling program may be just the right fit. In fact, you may be surprised that the more you do, the more it will benefit both your company and the environment.

For more detailed information on going green, including Environmental Management and how to put together an Environmental Action Plan, go to the Green Business Guide section of Business.gov.

Nancy Sternberg, Business Gateway Program Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration

Nancy B. Sternberg was selected as the Business.gov Business Gateway Program Manager in May 2006. In this role, Ms. Sternberg is responsible for working with representatives from the 22 partner agencies to improve the delivery of services to businesses by providing a single access point for businesses to easily find government information, including forms and compliance assistance resources and tools. Ms. Sternberg moderated a press briefing for an audience of more than a hundred business leaders and business owners at the National Press Club to unveil the Business.gov site, which is designed to help businesses stay in compliance with federal regulations.

Recently, Ms. Sternberg rolled out a new version of the site that focuses on environmental management and how “going green” can improve the bottom line. Green business topics such as recycling and the use of green marketing are discussed as ways to increase a company’s revenue and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

photo credit: Susan E Adams

In the wake of An Inconvenient Truth, the eyes of the business world have opened wide to the consumer demand for doing greener business. As a business advisor, I have noticed this trend and the companies that are embracing it. My clients are always looking for ways to set apart their business in order to increase their company’s bottom line. For many companies using environmentalism can be a very effective way of differentiating their business from their competitors.

One example of a company that uses its green thumb to stand apart from the crowd is Greenkarat.com. They sell rings that are made of recycled gold and platinum taken from old jewelry and other items. The company emerged with the goal of starting a trend to limit industrial methods of extracting jewelry’s precious metals and gems from the earth that damage the land and endanger ecosystems. Their market knowledge told them that there would always be a demand for jewelry yet they saw an opportunity to do things differently. Their mission is to “…provide an ecologically and socially responsible jewelry alternative to those who seek change.” Greenkarat rings have been featured in top magazines like InStyle Weddings and are enjoying much international success. While your company may not be able to be as green as Greenkarat, it is wise to observe how the trend of environmental awareness and concern will affect the behaviors of your customer base and, in turn, do what you can to use this trend to your business’ advantage while also taking part in helping this noble cause.

There are many ways you can go green. One thing all companies can do is recycle their garbage. Other potential recyclables include computer hardware and office equipment. Companies can also join one or more green organizations. There are local conservancies and other local and national organizations that can easily be found through the internet. Companies with more money to invest in the cause can use solar panels to reduce their energy needs. Companies can also find ways of becoming a paperless or less-paper-using office.

Becoming a green business just makes good business sense, because many organizations and individuals are willing to pay more or go out of their way to support green companies. If your customer base shares the value of environmentalism, or a segment of your market does, this could be a way to drive new sales and cultivate loyalty within your customer base. The increase in operational costs (if there is one) of doing business the green way, should be offset by the increased margins you will be able to command by increasing your value proposition to the market. You will not only provide your customer with a valuable product or service you will also provide value to the world in which you operate. There is a measurable economic value associated with being a green business, and that value is now being recognized and paid for by the marketplace.

In order to capitalize on the environmental actions your company chooses to take, make sure to promote your efforts by including a section or page on your website that discusses your intentions and explains the measures you’re taking to join this movement. If your business has a storefront, you can put a sign up in a visible area explaining what you’re doing for the environment. We suggest that you don’t print pamphlets since the paper usage runs contrary to the classic green cause of saving trees.

Of all the business trends in the market today, the recognition of the value of being environmentally conscious and eco-friendly is one that I am most excited about. As a business owner you have the power to not only add value to customers but also to make the world a better place. What better way to differentiate your business than by joining the fight against waste and pollution and actively working to preserve our natural resources? For more help with differentiating your company to create increased loyalty and profitability, visit www.flourishingbusiness.com.

Elizabeth W. Gordon, founder and President of The Flourishing Business, LLC, is a visionary leader who has a passion for helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and enjoy more of the best in life. With a vast and diverse background in many business arenas, Elizabeth regularly has the opportunity to share her business acumen with clients, large and small. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Atlanta and the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Atlanta. She is an Accredited Executive Associate of the Institute for Independent Business (IIB) and a certified Life Coach.