The green movement truly is all around us right now. Wal-Mart is requiring sustainability statements from suppliers and installing photovoltaic panels on some stores. Entire television networks have sprung up that broadcast nothing but news, how-to programs, and entertainment shows that pertain to environmental causes and lifestyles. And the ultra-chic statement  car of the day is an odd looking gas-electric hybrid that costs less than $22,000.

Things have changed and your business must change with them in order to stay competitive and to grow.

How can your business clean up its act to facilitate the desires of people who want to do the right thing and address global warming?

The first order of business is to understand the green movement and what it means to be ecologically responsible. To that end, here is a short article on launching a green lifestyle through small and simple changes. Can you see new market opportunities or competitive advantages for your business in these changes?


What's Green Living All About?

The green movement is all around us these days. It seems that every magazine has an article on being green. Every company, from grocery store to television network to oil company is trying desperately to convince us that they are and have always been committed to green philosophy and to the environment. Yet what does it really mean to be green?



Global warming, skyrocketing fuel costs, plummeting fish numbers, changing weather patterns, melting glaciers, dying coral reefs--the news of our planet's health has been grim for a long time and the message has come to the forefront of the mind for a growing number of people. Sustainable lifestyle has become not only an interest for many people, but it has become an imperative for a growing number of early adopters in our society.

In practice, going green can begin with some pretty simple and easily made changes in our lifestyles. And these simple changes can result in some pretty fantastic rewards...


Buy local organic products.  
Organic farmers not only use little to no chemicals, they also take steps to reduce water and soil degradation, along with other problems caused by traditional agriculture.  Produce from grocery stores  usually has been shipped a long way, which causes environmental pollution.  When possible, buy your produce from a local farmer's market or coop.  The cost of local produce may be slightly higher, but the quality and freshness is truly remarkable. Locally sourced food is not only healthier for the planet, it is healthier for you and your family--and the taste difference is something that you will definitely notice.

Use natural products.  
Household products that don't contain chemicals are not only better for the environment, they're safer for your family as well.  You can make various cleaning products from stuff in your kitchen, like vinegar.  Increasingly, commercial cleaner brands are launching natural lines of cleaning products. Often these cleaners work just as well as the older, more harmful preparations.  

Reduce.  
Reduce, reuse, recycle, has been a mantra for a long time however, most of us focus on recycling and completely ignore the reducing.  Try to use products that don't end up in landfills like cloth diapers instead of disposables or regular towels instead of paper. In our society of rampant consumerism, the idea of reducing consumption can be a challenge, but it can also save you a bundle of money. Shopping is a great pastime for a lot of people, but do you really need a dozen or more pairs of shoes, or fifteen belts, or more doodads for the shelves in your home?

Instead of a trip to the mall to pick up more stuff that you probably don't really need, consider a bike ride, or a walk with family or friends. How about a day in the park?

Reuse.  
There is nothing more efficient than reusing an item you already own rather than expending natural resources for a replacement. Refinishing furniture, using slipcovers, fixing appliances, repairing shoes, refinishing cabinets--there are a lot of things we can do to make the stuff we already own the stuff we want. Again, this simple change of mindset can save you a bundle of money too!

Recycle.  
We should all have a recycle bin in our homes. Recycling is even mandatory in some areas. Find out exactly what items are accepted for recycling in your area. Post the list in an easy to access area such as on the refrigerator. Make a pledge to recycle as much of your garbage as you possibly can and get in the habit of asking yourself if what you are about to throw away can be recycled or composted each time you approach the garbage can.

Conserve Energy.  
There are so many things you can do to save energy.  Get low energy light bulbs such as Compact Fluorescents (CFLs) for your fixtures.

Setting the thermostat a degree higher in the summer or lower in the winter can make a big difference as can investing in a programmable thermostat that can automatically roll the settings of your heating and cooling system up or down depending on the time of day.  

Consider adding insulation to your attic. Blown-in cellulose insulation or insulation batts are an inexpensive way to make a substantial change in your home energy consumption. For the do-it-yourselfer, insulation can be a simple weekend project.

If an appliance or light is not being used, turn it off! Also consider putting items such as TVs, stereos, and computer systems on power strips so that the electricity can be completely shut off when they are not in use. These appliances are infamous for drawing power even when they are switched off. This is called a phantom load and it can cost you hundreds of dollars per year.

A big way to conserve energy is to get a more fuel efficient car, or get rid of your car altogether.  If you don't need a big 4x4 SUV, then don't get one!  You'll be doing the environment and your bank account a big favor.

Here's a little bulletin--99.999% of the people who drive big SUVs DO NOT NEED THEM! I live in an area of the country that has some of the worst winter driving conditions in the world and I commute over 30 miles one way. I own two front wheel drive Toyota Prius's with traction control and good winter tires. If these efficient little cars can do the job for me, they almost certainly could for you as well.

Teach your children.
One of the most effective and lasting efforts we can make to ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for our planet is to ensure that our children know what steps take to improve the environment and why. Instilling a sense of value in a healthy planet, in sustainable practices, and in being good stewards of our world can create a positive legacy we can all be proud of.