Green Business | Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Business Programs | Green Certifications
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Can Your Business Afford Not To Go Green?
Going green is not a marketing gimmick, a passing movement. This lens will focus on what it means to be a green business, and what it takes to become one. We will also focus on the benefits, both for the environment and your business. We hope you will find information and inspiration through this lens.
The Green Business Implications
Any business can go green. But depending on your industry it may or may not be easy. Going green requires that a business adjusts it's business practices so that it uses renewable resources and takes responsibility for the environmental impacts of its activities.Some companies try to put on an image of environmental responsibility by advertising something that they do that has an benefit for the environment. Unless the business actually pushes sustainability as a goal in all aspects of its business this may simply be a form of greenwashing (which means to mislead consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service).
A good way that a business can actually prove to the public that they are serious about going green is by obtaining one of a variety of third party green certifications. Internationally, the most well known certification for industry is the ISO 14000 environmental management standards series.
There are also many cities and regions that have their own green business standards and awards. And there are numerous institutions and government agencies that give out green awards, certifications, and seals.
“Your investment in GREEN will drive cost out of your business and will drive revenues to it.”
Can a "Green" Business Also be a Profitable One?
Hint: The answer is a resounding "YES"!
----- Gary Hirshberg talks about Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World. Hirshberg shares the secrets that helped his company, Stonyfield Farm, skyrocket to success. He argues that traditional business practices are counterproductive and have created many of the problems that threaten to make the world uninhabitable - Book Passage Gary Hirshberg is CEO of Stonyfield Farm and author of Stirring it up: How to Make Money and Save the World.
Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World
by Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield Farm)
Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World
Amazon Price: $1.89 (as of 06/01/2012)
(13 customer reviews
Some Rave Reviews
"Most `CEO books' have a single focus: how to make more money. By broadening his goals to include sustainability, Gary Hirshberg is able to make any would-be entrepreneur think more deeply about what success will look like. As the world begins the process of downsizing from corporate gigantism to local economies that reflect the environmental realities of our new century, this book offers some important insight into the next stages on that journey." -- Bill McKibben, author Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and The Durable Future
"This is a must-read for every CEO of every company, big or small, who understands that a profitable company and a sustainable environment are mutually dependent." -- Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa
Gary Hirshberg dared to dream new ways of doing business based on respect for customers, employees, and the earth. And, it worked. If you buy or sell anything, or simply want to feel hopeful about the future, this lively and legitimately optimistic book is worth every minute. -- Robert Redford
Gary Hirshberg has done a masterful job telling the stories of cutting-edge companies that have found a way to increase profits and environmental sustainability at the same time. -- Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerrys, chairman of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities
Gary Hirshberg has seen the future and it is green! Read how he did it, and follow his every word! -- Laurie David, producer, author, global warming activist
Gary Hirshberg is the real deal. He not only talks sustainability, he does sustainability. Now, in Stirring It Up, he shares with great clarity both his wisdom and his penchant for action. -- Ray C. Anderson, founder and chair of Interface, Inc.
Green Business Practices
There are a lot of things that a green business needs to be aware of. Individual requirements may vary from one organization to the next, but generally will include- Energy Conservation
- Water Conservation
- Pollution Prevention
- Recycling and Waste Minimization
Buy Recycled Office Products - SAVE MONEY - SAVE THE PLANET
Using recycled office consumables like file folders, boxes and mailing supplies, and paper products is given for earth-friendly companies. But did you know you can also buy office furniture and equipment that is made from recycled materials? You wouldn't know the difference from looking at them.
100% Renewable Energy Powered Web Hosting!
Now this may not be quite so obvious, but choosing business partners that are eco friendly and energy efficient is just a logical consequence. For example, green hosting providers like ThinkHost have already recognized the growing trend and are offering solutions to lower your carbon footprint significantly, at a very attractive price to boot. Hey, they even plant a tree on your behalf!
Green Printing Products
Not all recycled papers are created equal
Most every business requires print products like stationary, letterheads, envelopes, brochures, flyers, etc. However, an environmentally responsible business should be selective when choosing the right paper for the job.
While printing on stock with a high ratio of recycled paper is a popular option that is good for some projects, saving the world is not that simple.
Chemically de-inking post-consumer paper back into a clean, white premium sheet most business purposes require for attractive full-color printing can be a toxic process, and one that presents waste disposal challenges.
There is a growing list of printers that can supply ecologically sound green paper products at competitive prices, but there is hope on the horizon:
The Forest Stewardship Council awards Chain-of-Custody Certifications to businesses who are in compliance with the established criteria. These certifications are a guarantee to the customer that products printed on nearly all of the printer's house stocks come from well-managed forests adhering to strict environmental and socio-economic standards.
To learn more about their commitment to sustainable printing in general, and environmental responsibility in particular, please visit FSC. They aso have downloadable lists of certified printing businesses for every state.
The Small Biz Green Buzz From GreenBiz.com
Quick, can you say that 5 times in a row?
Greenbiz.com offers a host of specialized green business RSS feeds. Here's the latest from the Small Business green feed.
Green Business Organizations
More green information resources
These links will help you learn more about the Green Business Programs in your area.
- San Francisco Green Business Program
- The San Francisco Green Business Program is a partnership of City Agencies that promote, recognize and provide hands-on support to local businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way.
- Green Business Partnership Sarasota County
- The GBP was initiated through a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to Sarasota County.
- Green Business Web Site
- The San Francisco Bay Area Green Business Program, a partnership of government agencies and utilities.
- Co-op America: Economic Action for a Just Planet
- Co-op America is a national nonprofit consumer organization, promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic justice through marketplace strategies including green living, responsible shopping, fair trade, green business, corporate social responsibility, and socially responsible businesses.
- Small Business : ENERGY STAR
- Energy Star is a federal program that seeks to improve environmental quality through the reduction in energy use. It provides free technical support, educational information and energy-conservation guidance to small businesses.
- Green Seal
- An independent, non-profit organization that identifies and promotes products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
- GreenBiz - Daily News and Resources on Green Business, Sustainable Practices, Environmental Innovation
- A comprehensive free information resource for large and small companies seeking to align environmental business practices with business success. Includes environmental business news, job listings, career advice, tools, reports, mentor programs, awards, government resources, backgrounders, expert advice and more.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Provides information about the voluntary standards created by the U.S. Green Building Rating System® for developing high-performance sustainable buildings.
- The Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies
- The Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies seeks to develop, evaluate, and promote cleaner products and cleaner technologies through interdisciplinary research aimed at sustainable development.
- Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair
- CCAR-GreenLink, a service of the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair, is a multi-media national environmental information center offering more than one million automotive technicians and educators and a half-million automotive small business owners quick access to important information...
- The Teleosis Institute
- An educational not-for-profit organization devoted to Green Health Care-sustainable medical practices that are good for you and your local environment. The Institute is a certified member of the Bay Area Green Business Program. Teleosis assists health care providers in greening their offices.
- EnviroLink
- Offers articles that highlight individual sustainable businesses and overall trends in industry.
- Product Stewardship | Wastes | EPA
- Offers a product-oriented approach to environmental protection.
- Marin Green Business
- Marin County Green Business Program is part of the Bay Area Green Business Program.
- Co-op America's National Green Pages
- National Directory of Approved Green Businesses.
- Green Irene
- Local, certified green consultants who help you save energy, water, and money at your home and office.
- EcoChamber - Your global green chamber of commerce
- EcoChamber is a Green Chamber of Commerce for Businesses, Non-profits, Associations and Governments.
A Growing Market for Green Business
------ The Green Rush: Prospects, Perils, and Opportunities with discussants Mike Biddle, Jennifer Fonstad, Dirk Michels, and John Woolard.
This panel will discuss:
- Which green technologies will prove to be truly world-changing, which will be good investments, and which will turn out to be over-hyped?
- What government actions will have the greatest impact?
- Will funding continue to grow at the impressive rate experienced in the past 24 months or is another bubble set to burst?
- Where are the opportunities in the lower-tech side of clean tech including recycling, fuel cell membranes, green building, and conservation?
- Is there a downside to being green?
Energy Efficient & Recycled Office Products
To comply with Energy Conservation requirements you also need to replace the lighting and appliances in your office with energy efficient products.
GreenBiz Podcasts
Download the latest GreenBiz Radio podcasts and get eco-friendly inspiration on your daily commute.
Competing in the Green Economy
Certified Green Business Example: Kahl Consultants
A San Rafael based consulting firm, Kahl Consultants specializes in small business web design and internet services.Kahl Consultants is a certified Bay Area Green Business and a Marin County Sustainable Partner. Their office is also solar powered.
In addition to our web services we also help our clients achieve green business status if they so desire.
Businesses Gone Green
- SMALL BUSINESS WEB SERVICES Internet Consulting San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma - Kahl Consultants
- Certified Bay Area Green Business and a Marin Sustainable Partner.
- Freelance Copywriter | Web Content, Brochures, Articles and Case Studies | Bonnie Ayers Namkung
- Freelance copywriter Bonnie Ayers Namkung: As a certified Marin County Green Business and carbon neutral company, we have a special interest in helping fellow eco-friendly firms thrive.
- Petaluma Dog Boarding, Kennels & Day Care - Fit n Furry
- Fit n Furry is the North Bay's premiere pet care facility. Certified as Petaluma's first "All Green Commercial Building."
- Health Benefits | Medical Insurance Services | Employee Health Benefits | Marin Benefits
- Small Businesses in Marin County save money, reduce taxes, promote health and protect employees from catastrophic medical expenses with customized employee health benefits plans.
Certified as Marin County Green Business!
Green Business Must-Read
Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage
Amazon Price: $3.80 (as of 06/01/2012)
(33 customer reviews
Professional Review Excerpts:
"Green to Gold is a must-read for the twenty-first century CEO..."
-- Tensie Whelan, Executive Director, Rainforest Alliance
"Esty and Winston show how companies have benefited from taking these (environmental) challenges as strategic opportunities, but they also detail why corporate environmental initiatives often fall flat... "
-- Bertrand Collomb, Chairman, Lafarge
"No executive can afford to ignore the green wave sweeping the business world. Esty and Winston show how to make sustainability a core element of strategy - and profit from it..."
-- Chad Holliday, CEO, DuPont
"Green to Gold is rich with both big-picture thinking and practical ''how-to'' suggestions that will help bankers, analysts, fund managers, and investors stay on top of the green wave... "
-- Larry Linden, Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs
"Esty and Winston have produced a compelling blueprint for how companies can address critical environmental problems, ..."
-- William K. Reilly, Founding Partner, Aqua International Partners and former Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency
"The future of our country and our children''s world depends on getting society on a sustainable track with regard to both energy needs and environmental requirements. It is up to corporate leaders to meet this challenge, and Green to Gold blazes a trail for businesses of all kinds to follow."-- Michael Morris, CEO, American Electric Power
"Green to Gold is a must read for anyone interested in investing in the vast emerging environmental markets."
-- Mark McGough, President and CEO, Pentadyne Power Corporation
"Green to Gold provides the definitive thinking on how business leaders can address environmental issues in the new economy, ..."
-- Michael E. Porter, Professor, Harvard Business School
What's On Your Green Business Book Shelf?
Greener Feedback
Going Green? What's your take on green business certification?
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Hypersapien
May 22, 2012 @ 1:00 pm | delete
- Great info. I have a lens on "going green" at home, but had not thought about it from a commercial context. Thanks!
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orange3
Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:00 pm | delete
- Great information on green business :)
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MOTHEREARTHRECYCLING
Mar 20, 2012 @ 4:55 pm | delete
- We operate a green business and I loved your article. Well thought out and a good source of viable information. Constantly, I tell others that they have to do more and point to our website as a source for green office products.
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theraggededge
May 2, 2010 @ 3:12 am | delete
- Good information presented in a business-like and interesting way. Blessed :-)
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KarenTBTEN
May 1, 2010 @ 11:48 pm | delete
- This is a very knowledgeable lens about going green. I like how you went beyond the obvious.
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QuestionAuthoriTees
Jul 13, 2009 @ 1:07 pm | delete
- nice lens. informative.. keep it up. I'm into a green business also.
QuestionAuthoriTees
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JenOfChicago
Jun 9, 2009 @ 12:03 am | delete
- Great lens, and an important topic for businesses to be thinking about.
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RolandTumble
Feb 3, 2009 @ 4:19 pm | delete
- Truly excellent. 5*, favorite & lensrolled to my eco-lens.
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Frankster Dec 10, 2008 @ 6:45 pm | delete
- Absolutely excellent lens with much needed advice and information. Green is the only way to go today - in business and at home. 5 stars, favorite and lensrolled to my Plastic Bag Alternative lens. Bear hugs, Frankie aka Bearmeister aka Cat Woman
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Green_everything
Oct 11, 2008 @ 7:50 pm | delete
- This is a great lens! You've really put together a lot of helpful information on green businesses. I'd love for you to visit my lens and say hello when you get the chance.
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Kyanisunrise
Sep 29, 2008 @ 3:44 pm | delete
- You have some good links to learn more about green.
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Squidster
Sep 27, 2008 @ 12:45 am | delete
- Excellent point, beachbum gabby! Dealing with green business partners is a logical extension of running a green office. Thanks!
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beachbum_gabby
Sep 17, 2008 @ 4:15 am | delete
- I've seen another lens here about Green Hosting, I think going into a Green Business, we must use green hosting account too!
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Sep 16, 2008 @ 5:43 am | delete
- Think Green! Do Green! for a better planet.
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inese_millere
Aug 18, 2008 @ 12:41 pm | delete
- Great lens!
Think Green:)
Inese
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kahlbo Mar 28, 2008 @ 4:11 pm | delete
- Kahl Consultants is a internet consultancy specializing in small business web services. We are a certified Bay Area Green Business and a Marin Sustainable Partner. These green business certifications have been very useful to our company for marketing purposes, lead generation, and in reaching out to new clients.
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by Squidster
Squidster is a Small Business Web Consultant from Southern California who creates Squidoo lenses for your enjoyment and provides blog hosting & Riverside... more »
