A combination of rising energy prices, increasingly stringent eco-regulations and greater consumer awareness is encouraging business owners to address their impact on the environment. In a survey by the National Small Business Association, 77 percent of proprietors said that rising energy prices have had a negative effect on profit margins. But it needn’t be this way: tackling energy efficiency can save money and make money too. Because a growing number of conscientious consumers are choosing to use companies that comply with eco-friendly practices, a business that positions itself as green – whether by embracing green policies or offering green products – is a business in touch with the modern marketplace.
Most business owners, though willing to adapt, are only aware of the most basic green practices. Saving energy by reducing light, heat and power used, and saving money by printing fewer documents are all commonplace. But there are plenty of other ways you can reduce your energy and other material costs, such as by reviewing your transportation, warehousing and distribution policies. Could you upgrade your business vehicle to a gasoline-electric hybrid or one that runs on a non-petroleum fuel such as ethanol?
Both product- and service-based companies can modify their output to offer more sustainable alternatives for green customers. Many skincare companies are increasingly making a virtue out of the fact that their products are environmentally friendly and made from natural ingredients. Alaffia is a cosmetics brand based in Olympia, Washington, that employs a fair-trade system to manufacture shea butter products in Togo, West Africa. It donates 10 percent of its sales revenue to community enhancement projects in Togo and Washington State. The company’s growing client list suggests that customers will choose the green option if it is presented to them in the right way.
