4 Aspects Of A Real Environmentally Friendly Business

Living green is becoming ever more popular and everyone wants to do their part. Many businesses have caught on to this, and tout their environmentally friendly business credentials in order to woo potential customers. Unfortunately, though, some businesses that talk the talk do not really walk the walk. How do you distinguish the truly green businesses? There are a number of practices that will distinguish a genuinely sustainable business from one merely practicing "green washing." Here are some things you'll want to look for to ensure your choices are actually being eco-friendly:

1. Sustainable businesses use sustainable power sources when possible, such as solar and wind power. Unfortunately, many parts of the US use coal as the main fuel source to generate electricity. Coal mining causes groundwater pollution and other ecological problems in the areas where it is mined. Burning coal causes pollution in the form of mercury and soot released into the atmosphere. By using clean energy sources, businesses can reduce their impact on the environment.

2. Green companies source locally when they can. The fuel needed to transport materials for manufacture and sale contributes greatly to their environmental impact. When items are locally sourced, it means that far less fuel is used transporting them. Businesses are better able to control quality and ensure that the materials they buy live up to their environmentally friendly objectives. Using local materials also contributes to the health of the local economy.

3. Green companies use sustainable packaging. In 2008, Americans threw away over 76,000 tons of packaging. Non-biodegradable plastics made up 12% of that. Businesses have more power than individual consumers to reduce this waste, since they are the ones providing the products. Fortunately, businesses can help lots of ways in these areas. Some use the most minimal packaging possible to reduce the amount that is thrown away. Some green businesses reduce their environmental impact by choosing recycled packaging. Others allow customers to eliminate disposable packaging altogether by offering reusable containers.

4. Green businesses are just as concerned with the well being of their customers, as well as profits but are just as concerned with the well being of the environment and their employees as well. One characteristic of a sustainable environmentally friendly business is that these objectives are all in balance with each other. By adopting a green philosophy, it influences all the decisions made across the company which leads to a balance between monetary and non-monetary goals. However, part of sustainability is the economic feasibility of those practices. Considering profitability equally important helps secure the future success and long term sustainability of the business.

Going green whenever possible is a mindset that is catching on at the personal and business level. Taking a purposeful and proactive approach in caring for our environment is a great responsibility for all of us, personally and business-wise.

----------------------------------------------------
When Kris Hoffman wanted his business to become more environmentally friendly, he researched a carbon accounting system. Renewable Choice Energy has the carbon accounting software and renewable energy consultants for your business. Visit http://www.renewablechoice.com/mosaic-enterprise-carbon-accounting-software/carbon-accounting-systems.html for more information.

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=260617