Why Should a Business Go Green?

Why should a business go green? There are a plethora of reasons you probably already know. However, what about the reasons you don't know? In this section, learn some things you may not realize.

Having an eco-friendly reputation:

• Attracts employees. In this day and age, younger people especially are looking for businesses which have a green stamp on them. For these potential employees who spend long hours at work, they want to observe eco-friendly practices there as well as at home. It's more than a trend - it's a lifestyle.

• Attracts customers and clients. Now more than ever, clients look for a green label on a product. If you're not selling a particular product per se, customers still look for companies that utilize the green movement and tend to buy from them. For example, all of these businesses are now green: McDonald's, Anheuser-Busch, Continental Airlines and DuPont.

• Determines if the customer will patronize the business. How green the company is may be the deciding factor in the customer's mind. You don't believe it? Look at McDonald's. They work in conjunction with PETA to ensure a humane and environmentally friendly atmosphere in all of their restaurants and corporation. They do so to keep their existing customers and attract new ones. Also, look at Anheuser-Busch who, according to Business Pundit, says, "Busch now saves 21 million pounds of metal per year by trimming an eighth of an inch off the diameter of its beer cans." And they tote it as "Natural Capitalism." Nice touch!

• Saves lots of money. Okay, you probably knew this one already. But do you realize how much money going green can save your business? As Abcnews.com reports, "DuPont cut its emissions and saved $3 billion over the past decade by using cleaner technologies to make chemicals and textiles." FedEx now runs its airport operations based in Oakland, CA almost entirely on solar power. FedEx director of environmental programs Mitch Jackson says, "We will have a clean renewable supply of power at a consistent price, free, from the sun, for 30 years."

• Saves YOUR business a lot of money. The above examples are corporate giants. But think on a smaller scale. If big corporations are saving billions of dollars, your business will be saving hundreds or thousands per year. For example, perhaps you have a refrigerator in your office. If it's old and clunky, your energy bills may be pretty high. Replacing it with an energy efficient refrigerator will drive down energy costs dramatically - just watch the amount owed on your electric bill plummet. That's hundreds of dollars every year you're saving from replacing one office appliance.

Besides the impact on the environment and saving money, there is a wonderful psychological impact when greening a business. Here are some examples:

• You will be teaching your employees to be more responsible protectors of the earth. In turn, they will teach others. Who doesn't love ending the work day feeling good that you've made a positive impact in someone's life?

• You will create a positive atmosphere for employees. Even the employees that may be a little resistant can still catch the positive vibes in your office. Happiness is contagious. If you create a work environment your employees will positively respond to, you will receive more work out of them and more loyalty to the brand.

• You can keep ideas flowing and stimulate creativity. Ask your employees how to save more money and keep things green. Listen to suggestions and implement those that are worthy. Your employees will feel appreciated and creative ideas will flow in the office.

Why should a business go green? Because it's the right thing to do for both employees and customers and saves you a ton of mula. Implement the tips listed in this article and you will make your company an eco-friendly and happy place to work.

"25 Big Companies That Are Going Green." by RYAN, July 29, 2008 -- http://www.businesspundit.com/25-big-companies-that-are-going-green/

"Big Companies Go Green to Ensure Business." by Betsy Stark, September 1, 2006 -- http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/GlobalWarming/story?id=2384541&page=1

Photo 1 (trees & skyscrapers): federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net -- http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=149

Photo 2 (happy man): djcodrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net -- http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=982