10 Unheard Of Green Businesses

June 24, 2010 · Posted in Green Business 101 · Comments Off 

Businesses around the world are going green but not all of them receive the same recognition as General Electric, Starbucks, and Wal-Mart. These innovative businesses have earned their share of acknowledgement and it is about time they receive some.

Seahorse Power – Founder Jim Poss engineered garbage cans with solar-powered trash compactors that increase capacity and reduce the number of pick-ups required by Seahorse’s municipal clients.

Voltaic Systems – This entrepreneurial business manufactures backpacks and messenger bags fitted with solar panels that can charge electronics, including cell phones and PDAs.

Interface – Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Interface uses recycled materials and biodegradable corn-based plastics to manufacture carpet.

Comet Skateboards – CEO Jason Salfi and company makes high-performance skateboard decks and wheels using only local, sustainable materials. They are currently experimenting with a soy protein polymer to hold the boards together.

Memorial Ecosystems – Westminster, South Carolina is home to the nation’s first green cemetary. Memorial Ecosystems offers simple funeral services without the use of embalming fluids, other harmful chemicals, hardwood caskets or conventional headstones.

Konarka – This innovative business produces flexible solar cells from organic chemicals, rather than silicon, which have the potential to turn handbags, lampposts, and other everyday objects into clean power sources.

Teko Socks – Located in Boulder, Colorado, Teko Socks manufactures and sells socks made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, and wool from a farm that uses sustainable practices.

IdleAire – Based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, IdleAire wires truck-stop parking spaces with hookups for heat and air conditioning, along with Internet accesss, satellite TV, and movies on demand, to encourage long-haul drivers to shut off their engines.

Gridpoint – CEO Peter Corsell and company makes a refrigerator-size system that helps consumers monitor and manage energy created by their solar panel system or other renewable energy source. It also provides homes and businesses with backup power, allowing them to pick and choose the times of day their house pulls in energy.

Zipcar – Based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, this clever business manages a car-sharing service for as low as $7.50 an hour that has taken an estimated 25,000 cars off the road.

Nick Tart is a senior at Colorado State University and the founder of JuniorBiz.com, teaching?young people how to become entrepreneurs. He anticipates graduating Magna Cum Laude this spring and chooses to use his $40,000 education to help young people with their businesses. Find 100+?teen business ideas on his site.?Entrepreneurship is a game. May the best one win.

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Five types of green businesses to start during a recession

May 10, 2010 · Posted in Green Business 101 · Comments Off 

As we all know by now since the media will not make us forget it: We are in a worldwide recession. We actually are in a Triple E crisis involving Energy; Economic and Environmental components. As a matter of fact as we get out of this recession we will dig even deeper into the Energy and Environmental crisis.

The good news is that with a crisis come opportunities that will remain after the recession. Hundreds of thousand of smart, experienced workers are left idle and looking for jobs that may never come back. Why not start a green business and take advantage of this “green trend”.

As far as the world’s attitude in concerned, becoming a more “green,” environmentally conscious society is a good thing. This is reflected everywhere in the economy from automobile companies going out of their way to produce more fuel efficient cars to electronic manufacturers designing energy efficient products. From everyday household appliances to the clothes you wear to work, companies are taking measures to ensure that the carbon footprint generated by their products is minimized.

The idea that only large companies should change their ways is wrong. In fact, small business can actually do a lot more to help the environment. The reason for this is simple: A small business doesn’t have miles of red tape to cut through, thousands of employees, or tons of legislation. Personally owned businesses can create and market green products today and help the world tomorrow. This also extends to people starting a new business. Why not start a green business?

With the massive momentum behind the green movement, anyone with determination can take full advantage of this relatively new and life saving trend. Not only can you experience the self satisfaction of helping out a horrendous environment, you can also capitalize on this ever-growing market. And don’t think for a minute that it’s exploitation or abusing the environmentally conscious – after all, if you’re not opening a business for profit, you may as well give your money away.

So, what “type” of business is green? Let’s examine a few types of eco-friendly businesses and how they can work for you and your prospective customers.

Green alternative products

People are looking for eco products made from recycled material, products that are more respectful of the environment.  Your new business can help eco-aware consumers find alternate products that will contribute to reverse the adverse effects of global warming. Eco-friendly green products are available everywhere or you could create your own. For example, you could sell energy efficient fluorescent bulbs, biodegradable trash bags, LED products, eco-friendly cleaning products, etc. We design and market bags and accessories made from recycled material(Cirque du Soleil tents, advertising billboards) and are always looking for distributors.

Green energy payback: cutting costs

Consumers also wish to save money while saving the environment. What about an appliance store that sells solar powered water heaters, or energy-star certified kitchen appliances? Maybe a website that offers information and sells all types of CFL, LED and energy efficient light bulbs. These items have an endless demographic, especially the solar powered items. People love the idea of clean and free energy.

Eat green and organic

What about the organic foods trend? You could help people to grow their own foods. This idea is something that everybody can get onboard with. From people with the smallest apartments, to families with multiple acres of land, you could have a “kit” for everyone. We met someone recently who designed deeper planters for apartments to grow vegetables.

Green transportation

For people tired of burning fuel and taking gas-guzzling public transport to and from work, they might be in the market for bicycles or scooters. Your store could offer a break from the city bus norm. Becoming a dealer of regular and electric bikes and scooters can definitely cement your status in the business world.

There are thousands of green business ideas out there. But the main focus is to remain committed to being an eco-friendly purveyor of goods and services. These businesses may not make you rich but you will create your own green collar job and be independent from incompetent managers and massive layoffs .You can own and operate a business that you believe in, and moreover, people will believe in you.

Jean-Luc Marcoux,ecoEntrepreneur and Managing Director;EverQuest Design Inc, an eco marketing agency involved in marketing of products made from repurposed textiles(Cirque du Soleil tents, Apple advertising billboards, space mission parachutes). He has worked with Cirque du Soleil, CBS and large media and telecom clients in Canada and the USA. He also has significant experience as a business strategist in online marketing.

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Are Green Businesses the Way Forward?

May 4, 2010 · Posted in Green Business 101 · Comments Off 

Business such as www.guidemegreen.com and the co-op offer a real alternative for people concerned with these issues and with businesses that combine a strong ethical dimension in tandem with making profits. With corporate social responsibility the new buzz word, businesses need to have ethical values that are embedded in their company, the way they operate, and seek to make a contribution towards local communities where they are based and around the globe.


I started GuideMeGreen green directory to provide a platform for ‘green’ businesses and brands to reach consumers who are increasingly becoming ethically and environmentally conscious. By supporting and purchasing from companies listed on GuideMeGreen you are not only favouring ethical products, be they fair trade, organic or cruelty free, but you are having an effect on those businesses and brands that operate in an unethical manner. When consumers ‘vote with their wallets’ they are sending a warning to businesses to take their environmental and social responsibilities seriously.


We care about the impact of business practices on local communities. Our philosophy is based on balancing profit with ethical considerations. We believe profit is important to all businesses, however this should not be the sole driver for business decisions. Even the oil giant shell has started a foundation to promote ethics and environmental concerns. Some people may see the irony in this!


David Oglaza is the founder of the Green and Ethical directory GuideMeGreen . This growing green resource lists 100s of Organic, Fairtrade, Eco and Ethical companies. Green jobs and a discussion board coming soon!

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