5 of the Most Uncommon Ways to
Green Your Business and Save Money

Green Throughout the Office

Being labeled a green business is more than just being green while working. For instance, it is very simple to provide clearly labeled bins in the break room for recycling plastic bottles, cans, and other common lunch-time wastes. Drop them off yourself on the way home once a week or pay a high school student a little money to pick them up.

Most businesses must provide restroom and cleaning supplies for their employees. Many of the leading cleaning supply brands, like Clorox, have all natural, eco-friendly cleaners that cost the same as their chemical-based products. Why not buy 100% post-consumer recycled toilet paper. After all, it is only used for...well, you know.

Eco-Commute

To encourage greener transportation to and from work, provide closer parking, and other little perks, to employees who carpool. If your business is located in a major metropolitan area, offer public transportation passes to employees to encourage them to take the bus or subway. If it is possible, allow employees to telecommute a few days a week. Give those who ride their bike, discount coupons for local bike shops and stores.

Do Business with the Eco-Responsible

When seeking new business relationships, choose businesses that encourage eco-responsibility and let them know that it is part of the reason you are doing business with them. If you bill or invoice your clients, offer them discounts if they choose to receive invoices electronically instead of on paper.

Be Environmentally Proactive

Every once in a while poke your head up and see what other companies are doing to reduce global warming. For instance, did you know that many energy companies offer businesses free electricity audits on how to save money by reducing energy consumption. Fast Company's November 2007 issue profiles 50 things that 50 companies did to clean up their business last year. This is a great source for ideas and reflection on your business.

Do Some Good, You'll Feel Better

All businesses have one primary goal, to make money-and there is nothing wrong with that. It is simply a fact of life and survival of the fittest. However, there comes a point when companies need to look outward instead of internally and give back to the communities and organizations that they believe in. Organize a volunteer day for employees one Saturday every couple months. Cleanup the highway near your building or donate a percentage of the companies earnings to a deserving organization like The National Resource Defense Council. There are plenty of opportunities in almost every area of this country to get involved. Giving back builds individual character, enforces company team building, and it just feels good.

Scream it From the Rooftops

Advertise the fact that your businesses strives for green practices on your website and in the form of press releases. Those little steps will translate into dollars in an growing, eco-aware world.

Eliot Dill co-founded several businesses including a web application development business, 20 Development Inc., and an sustainable marketing firm, Advoice Paper.