Green Businesses

[SkywlkrSnd]

What effect do "green" businesses have on your shopping habits? When shopping, whether online or at a brick and mortar, do you find yourself more willing to make a purchase at an establishment that has identified itself as using "green" practices?

Some businesses advertise their use of renewable power, or renewable energy credits. Other join various "green networks" to showcase their commitment to the environment. (like Green America (http://www.coopamerica.org/))

It looks nice from a social perspective...but is it working? Are these companies getting a boost to their bottom line through showing off their "greenness"? Or are they just over-saturating the world with needless greenwashing in order to get your business?

Take our little, informal poll and share your thoughts on the matter...

[Greener Trends]

I prefer shopping from a green business, but honestly I am incredibly skeptical every time I see a company say they are green. My husband and I play a little game when we watch TV where we "guess the company" when we watch a greenwashing commercial. It is easy to tell when an oil company is advertising because basically everything is the color green on the commercial. Or they show flowing water and animals running around. Usually there is soft and calming natural music that sounds like something you would hear in a spa... It is pretty ridiculous.

[maxkone]

I really applaud business that GENUINELY are making an effort to go green. But the term (and the color for that matter) are just getting thrown around so much by everyone that it's hard to tell what's what. You're right on, Greener, with the ads for "green" oil companies. Uhhh....yeah. Next thing will be Hummer making a hybrid model!

But for me, it ultimately comes down to quality of a product, the price (given the economy and all), and the quality of service.

[greenfan]

You are fully right, to be green is in a great demand now and very often "greening" the product is just a commercial trick. Natural, organic, eco-friendly - do all these word have the same meaning? Definitely not. There is no strict common definition in "green" business and different producers or organizations define “green” in a different way.
I am used to buy beauty products only from green businesses and I never relay on advertising claims. I strongly recommend to always check the labels - this is the only way to avoid buying a beauty products with harmful chemicals (http://livegreenstyle.com/go-green-tips/go-green-tips-easy-way-to-avoid-buying-a-beauty-products-with-harmful-chemicals/).

[mdagneau]

to me going green is using concentrated, chemical free products.

And thats what I have been doing I switched about 5 month ago to this company were I order online, get it shipped to the door, save money on the products and buy all my household needs there. Great products they are environmentally friendly and concentrated you dont buy water.

Prices they are the same or cheaper than any brick or mortar store so I love it.

I recycle everything, and buy either concentrated juices or big bottles no little cans. Save anyway I can so our kids have a greener world.

[Purbliss]

I find it a little sad that many candle manufactures don't relay the risks to the public. The traditional paraffin candles are bi-products of petroleum and present very real health risks. This is why I started purbliss candles. It's very frustrating to find that some people are willing to put their health on the line to save a few bucks. Any other green biz owners here?

[Dewey]

Any other green biz owners here?

I work for one, a grey water recycling system.

I try to "go green" when I can, but I must admit there are other factors what sometimes come into play. And as other have stated, the big new marketing ploy is to say a product is green, even if it is not. It's surprising easy to label a product as "green" or environmentally friendly. You really have to do your homework sometimes.

[KraftyGreen]

Hi, I am writing to discuss cleaning products that I currently use. I am sorry for bothering everyone however I thought it was important that I share this with you.

I did a lot of researching of Green Product and tried many products. As I researched Green Cleaning products, I came across a lot of cleaning products that said they were green, however were not completely Green. I came across a Company that seemed very interesting. Their mission statement was to free all households of toxic cleaning products.

Sometimes Green products do not work as well as some regualr products but after recieving these products, I became very impressed.

There is so much more information regarding these products, I encourage you to visit the following site where you can learn more about the products
http://www.wowgreen.net/?ID=12541

Has anyone else used these products? Going Green has recently become a very important initiative for me. I just came across this site and there are some great things advice. Going green has become very important to me and I felt it was important to share this with you all.

[BigGreenG]

Restaurants and businesses frequently engage in the environmental movement in very superficial ways--through appearance changes that don't make any substantial change to their carbon footprint, waste output, etc. In short, there is a lot of 'greenwash' that environmentally-aware consumers have to sift through if you really wanna get the 'green' for your dollar. It is reassuring to hear that other people are as concerned as I am.

The company that I currently work for, Big Green G, is a green verification company for small businesses and restaurants. Currently, we have an entirely web-based system where our clients can log-in and quantify the steps they are taking to become a more sustainable venue in a point-based system. We have worked alongside many colleagues who are experts in some of these fields, and have integrated content from other rating systems so that we could come up with substantial, necessary components and allot the appropriate amount of points for the steps. We divided our ratings into 9 core categories;

1) Energy Saver
2) Water Conservation
3) Recycling
4) Earth Friendly Foods
5) Community Star
6) Sustainable Transportation
7) Green Products
8) Indoor Air Quality
9) Carbon Footprint

so that these clients can be recognized in the areas in which they are taking steps, and can have incentive to keep working to become certified in all 9 categories. The reason I decided to work for BigGreenG was for a lot of the reasons discussed above, and I really think that this system does a good job combating greenwashing in a user-friendly, comprehensive, affordable way. Please, spread the word!!

Big Green G Website (http://www.biggreeng.com/bgg/home.php)

You can also visit/join our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30759477309&ref=ts)

Thanks guys! :)

[SkywlkrSnd]

Great company, BigGreen. Seems kind of like a LEED certification for a business' procedures and operations. As green washing becomes more prevalent...I guess it could be considered the spam of the green movement...I see certification and verification firms like this becoming more commonplace and having an increasingly important role in building and maintaining a company's reputation. I did notice on the website that you guys are a USGBC member, which is great to see.

Quick question though: Does your company only work with restaurants?

[Chris K]

If a business is not using "Green" materials, but is offering a product that will dramatically help reduce plastic, would you consider that business a green business?
Chris K
ityse.com (http://ityse.com)

[maxkone]

This is where it gets confusing.
To me, there is a difference between a "green business" and a "green product".

A "green business" uses eco-friendly and responsible practices in the day-to-day operations of the business. Things like zero-paper policies, purchasing RECs to offset energy consumption, on-site renewable energy generation, encouraging telecommuting to reduce pollution caused by transportation, and countless other methods.

A "green product" is a good or device that provides direct environmental benefit itself, or encourages eco-friendly activity and responsibility through its use. But the "greenness" of a product is not directly connected to the "greenness" of the company making it.

You can have a "green"-run company that doesn't make a single environmentally friendly product. Or a great, magical, carbon-reducing widget made by the most polluting company on Earth. Granted, most companies interested in making "green" products will likely follow suit with "green" business practices. But just because one is true, does not necessarily mean the other is, or isn't, true.

So, to answer your question, Chris, I think what you are describing with your plastic reducing product...is just that...a "green product". And while it might be a great product, it does not, by itself, also constitute a "green business". Separate steps would need to be taken to justify that moniker.

[ebrown99]

I am a firm believer in buying from companies that are reputable "green" companies. I think that people often forget that the term "green" is new, but green living or sustainable living has been in practice for years. So be careful for these companies that are just using the word green to make a profit and really aren't contributing to a "Greener" planet.

[SkywlkrSnd]

... people often forget that the term "green" is new, but green living or sustainable living has been in practice for years. So be careful for these companies that are just using the word green to make a profit and really aren't contributing to a "Greener" planet.

Well said, ebrown.

And to max: I like your definitions for businesses vs. products. Way to keep things clear and on track, buddy. :)

[ribonzz]

I's simple,

Want to live healthy and happy?
Green is the answer :)

[EarthIncentives]

I do agree that "going green" is a term thrown around a lot, and loosely, these days. "It's just a fad", though it is a positive and necessary one. Many businesses have capitalized on this fact in hopes of bringing in this quickly growing targeted marketing audience; and while that may be a negative means to a positive approach, the fact still remains that they may offer a product that is a better alternative. Also, many businesses and individuals can only "go green" as far as their budget allows. They may not be able to reach all of the steps, but one step forward is better than no step at all.

[EcoChoiceShop]

The City of Toronto is calling on industries, businesses and residents to reduce water use.

Toronto's WaterSaver Program help businesses that use a lot water to identify areas that may be 'wasting' water and offers solutions and cash incentives.

If you are interested, you can find more information at website of City of Toronto

[ribonzz]

Well alot of people are using "go green" to gain popularity, such as artist, politicians and other. They just want the fame, but they do not really Go Green. We should start it from a little thing even a little person..

[LidCraft]

I must admitt that Green is a major factor in my everyday living. Even shopping. There is something special about a tan and green bottle that makes you more aware that the item you NEED to purchase is also available in a alternative method.

Though MOST of the time you may be paying pennies more then a non green or organic product, it is important to remember the cause behind your purchase. Youre not just living green for yourseld, but for people who havent noticed teh cause yet.

[ecofriendlysites]

I definately will choose a business that has made measures to "go green" over one that hasn't. Just recently I switched my webhosting to HostPapa due in large part to that they are a green hosting company.

I agree with the previous comment that was made that there is a different between green companies and green products. If you educate yourself about the products that you purchase, you can find products that aren't marketed as greeen that do have less impact on the environment than alternative products. For example, I don't think most second-hand stores market themselves as green, but purchaisng used products certianly is better for the environment than buying new.

[Peter J]

I don't know about buying decisions but I would like to find out if companies are really "walking the talk"! It seems like everyone is talking about doing something to be green but being in the business of energy efficiency products I have not seen the commitment on the various groups to embrace new technologies that have been proven to save energy and reduce carbon emissions besides changing their light bulbs!

[Mattloaf]

I feel this poll is destined to be one sided on a forum like this. I'm curious to see the results of the same poll taken from a non-target/non-biased audience.

That being said, I'm a recent "green" convert and would love to gain the incite of those of you who have been doing this for many years now. It's almost embarrassing to be a band wagon jumper on such an important issue, but my policy in this case has to be "better late than never".

What are some of the steps that you have taken to lead more green lives, and what do you feel have been the biggest struggles in your eco-friendly quests?

[runkaproducts]

As a lot of people are using "go green" to gain popularity, whether he is common man or any celebrity. Everybody is giving message to go green, use green organic products (http://www.runka.com/index.aspx) etc.. This is not all about fame and popularity. But the main concern is that these days the environment condition are going out of favor of human living. So it is necessary to awake on time rather than the conditions got more bad and dramatic.
Runka

[Aharv1234]

I agree completely with what many of you are saying. Do you think that companies label their products as "Green" because ultimately it is a growing business in our country and they just want to jump on the band wagon, or are those products legitimately eco-friendly?

[waterbaby]

I find it a little sad that many candle manufactures don't relay the risks to the public. The traditional paraffin candles are bi-products of petroleum and present very real health risks. This is why I started purbliss candles. It's very frustrating to find that some people are willing to put their health on the line to save a few bucks. Any other green biz owners here?

I am a green business owner also.... candles too. My company is NewEarth Soy Scents, and I too started my business when I learned what paraffin was made from. I have always burned alot of candles and when I found out that I was actually burning a petroleum based ingredient in my home, I new I needed to find another way. My candles are 100% soy wax, so there are no toxins emitted into the air.

[GrnGirl]

I am a "green" business owner and think it is rather tasteless of big companies "green washing" for more sales. Living a more green life is a very important thing for our environment and our personal health and safety. It's too bad that it has become a marketing tool that many times is just false advertising.
I began my green business after having my first child because at that point I became aware of all the toxic ingredients being added to my everyday products. I wanted to avoid exposure to these toxins and after doing some research found out I had to be my own advocate. The FDA is definitely more interested in profits than actually screening products for unsafe ingredients.
Once I become paranoid about toxins in my and my families personal care products it carried right over to cleaning products, cookware, candles, toys, dishes, food, etc. The list is now never-ending and I wanted to provide a place that people with the same concerns as myself could feel more confident in their purchases.
Check out my online store and see if there are any products you like or if you find any information that might be useful for your future purchases.

[thepatrickblack]

but I assume that if the company has enough money to advertise the product on TV, it's not really green.

[SnellExperts]

I would have to say it usually doesn't have an effect on my purchase decision because I still need the product regardless of how it was made usually. Kudo's to companies for going this route though!

[goGreenEnergy]

I would like to only use companies that are "green" but how do I really know if there is any. All of a companies energy and efforts go into a good PR campaign and good advertising to make me think they are "green" but there's no way to know if they really are, and I could spend countless hours fishing through massive amounts of information; most of it false, and some of it true but no real way to tell the difference and still have no real conclusion.

[SnellExperts]

I saw a company that used legit pop corn as their packing corn to "go green". I was actually very impressed with the idea. Only works if your products are wrapped inside the package otherwise the grease from the pop corn will get all over everything.

[mamalilly]

I love green businesses and ideas..I'm really interested in the online receipts business since it the "big" thing right now. I looked at a website called myreceipts.com and it looks like they have a hold of that business but if you want to check go ahead. I like that idea and concept a lot...NO MORE PAPER RECEIPTS

[The Conscious Gardener]

HEY GRNGRL,

I read your post about The Green Pear, your eco-business.

Congratulations on turning "what you believe" into "how you behave". We NEED green entrepreneurs. If more people created green businesses we would have a powerful answer to self-serving big buinsesses.

Thanks for your efforts.

-- The Conscious Gardener

[goGreenEnergy]

I am always more likely to purchase products that advertise their green practices but I am always skeptical as to how often that is an advertising gimmick and likely has very little truth in reality.