Green companies motives

But as one should expect, the shift in stance is not because the companies have a change of heart, have a whole of money to spend or want to do some good PR. Going green is actually a profitable business direction because these companies are getting lucrative offers if they choose to go green. Business has always depended on the money inflow. So basically, if someone is paying then they are all for it.

There are a number of initiatives that have been started which allow the companies to showcase their ‘greenness’ for financial gain. One of these initiatives is by a leading eco friendly product site. Under this initiative by the due date, any US business can apply for an eco friendly make over stating why their premises deserves a makeover with pictures. The winning company gets a $ 5000 spending spree on products from the company’s green catalog.

California Clean Tech Open is another initiative that encourages companies to go green. The winner of the annual contest gets $100,000 worth a package to help his establishment go green. Organic Ventures – a mother/daughter team – works at getting investors and companies interested in either that are looking to go green.

Green companies allotted web space

The Internet, being as innovative as we make it, has helped push forward the green cause. On forums, blogs and websites, there is special green section where investors or people looking for investors can make query’s specifically for and about green ventures and proposals. For example, Investorideas.com has a section the Global Green Marketplace which they claim the fastest growing section on the site.

There are blogs about the recent green activities that have been taken in the business world keeping one abreast of the green developments as they happen. For e.g.:-http://www.greenvc.org/. Green Grants Machine actually lists all the avenues that green companies can go to in order to get grants to go green so that one can find the best option to go green. Green Energy Marketing is another firm that bridges the efforts between green investor and green companies. National Energy Foundation offers tips to green companies too on how to go green

Green companies customizing product to market

It is no secret to the non green company that one fine day the world will have to go green. Any company would know if they have done their homework that the world will run out of natural sometime. It seems already some companies are making a move towards going green for the good of their business when the catastrophe happens.

It will prove beneficial for all parties because the company and the customer will have to resort to green ways which they might as well do now before it’s too late. gDaipers makes eco friendly diapers with a flushable, compost-ready insert that goes into cloth panties.

So you have the demand, you have the incentives and you fill the need. There’s nothing more to equate in this equation. The world is going green and the transition is going to be smooth all factors in place - demand, incentive to satisfy demand, which usually would result in the satisfaction of demand. It seems that there are no more excuses to go green and that it is THE next step.

The transposition of EC law into Bulgarian legislation is an important factor that has created the demand for products and services related to improving the energy efficiency and obtaining energy from renewable energy sources. Among the main objectives of the Bulgarian Law on Energy are to provide high quality and secure supply of energy, to promote the efficient utilization of energy and to provide favorable conditions for the sustainable development in the utilization of renewable energy sources. Implementing the Directive 2001/77/EC and Directive 2004/8/EC, a new chapter on renewable energy sources was added to the Law on Energy, which promotes the utilization of renewable energy sources and the cogeneration of heat and power to meet demand for heat on the Bulgarian market. According to Chapter 11 of the Law on Energy, the public provider, holder of an electricity supply license, is obliged to buy out the electricity generated by renewable energy sources at preferential rates. At a later stage, the state will also introduce a system for issuance and trade with green certificates based on the amount of energy produced from renewable energy sources. The transposition of Directive 2002/91/EC led to the adoption of the Energy Efficiency Act in 2004, which aims at “energy efficiency promotion through a system of measures and activities at various levels”.

Since 1992 Bulgaria is also a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Changes and the subsequent Kyoto protocol, which was ratified in 1997. This document obliged the countries listed in Annex I of the Convention (which includes Bulgaria) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the period 2008-2012 against the baseline year 1990. In Bulgaria 75% of the gas emissions come from the energy sector. Significant part of the electricity in Bulgaria is generated by thermal power plants (TPPs) - which are the main source of sulphur dioxide and dust. 52% of the total amount of electricity is generated in 2003 by TPPs, while the share of nuclear energy produced is 40,6%.

The share of the TPP generated energy will increase further after the closure of the 3rd and 4th reactor of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant on December 31 2006 - in accordance with EU accession negotiations. Thus, in order to alleviate the negative effect on the atmosphere, Bulgaria have to undertake rigorous measures to reduce its energy consumption through improving the energy efficiency. Another possible option to fulfill the obligations pursuant the Kyoto protocol is to shift to renewable energy sources. The market for products and services in the RES field will therefore expand in the next few years. It is expected that in the next few years US exporters offering technologies, know-how and other consultancy services in the energy efficiency and RES areas will be able to expand their market in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: RES Market Competition

The market for RES and materials for enhancing the energy efficiency in Bulgaria will definitely expand in the near future. The main reason for this expansion is the hike in prices of electrical and thermal energy, and thus encouraging the households and companies to invest in alternative sources of energy. Dropping the interest rates and the increased access to credit, which facilitated the Bulgarian consumers to bear the initial high cost for using alternative sources of energy and improving the energy efficiency of the buildings, helped the development of the energy efficiency sector in Bulgaria is. Another reason for the development of a market for alternative sources of energy is the target set by the Bulgarian government to increase the share of RES energy to 11 % of the total energy produced in the country.

Currently, there are several domestic companies that produce solar collectors and other elements of system for utilization of solar energy. Among them are Apex MM Ltd., Eco-solar Ltd., Renergy Group Ltd., 5040 Services Ltd., Starton and ESKO Energy project. There are also several companies that offer installations for water power plants as well as components and consulting services for such installations. Among them are Turbo C – Vidin and Hydroenergoproekt Ltd. Sofia. In Bulgaria there is also high potential for the development of the wind energy sector. Presently, there are no operating wind farms in Bulgaria; there are only separate wind turbines that some companies have built for their own needs. There are projects for wind farms in Bulgaria that have to pass through the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure. The companies that will offer energy from wind farms in Bulgaria in the near future are TESSA Energy Ltd., Universum Energy, which is a Bulgarian-German consortium, INOS 1,
which operates in partnership with the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi, and Bulgarian Wind Power Plants, which is a daughter company of Societe Industrielle de l’Atlantique Ltd - France. With the support of the US TDA grant a wind power plant is to be built in Karlovo. On June 21, 2004 the US Ambassador to Bulgaria and the Mayor of Karlovo, signed a USD 384,500 grant agreement. The grant is earmarked for a feasibility study on proposed Pilot Wind Farm Project in the town of Karlovo where and the US Electrotech Concepts Inc is performing the study. There are two registered partnerships in the country for the production of energy from biomass and waste, which are located in the villages Tsalapitsa and Parvenets in the district of Plovdiv. There are also several Bulgarian private companies that offer consulting services in the RES and energy efficiency. These are the firms Energoconsult Ltd

– Stara Zagora, Energy Efficient Systems Ltd.
– Sofia, Company for Energy Saving AD
– Sofia and Consulting Center for Sustainable Development Geopont-Intercom Ltd.
– Varna.

Most of the equipment and machinery in the RES and energy efficiency areas are imported. Wind turbines are imported mainly from Denmark and Germany, whereas solar collectors are imported from Switzerland and Germany. The Japanese corporation Mitsubishi and the French company Societe Endustriele d’Atlantique have also invested in renewable energy sources in Bulgaria. Solar collectors and boilers are imported from Germany, Greece, Italy and the Czech Republic. Heat pump systems are imported mainly from Germany and Austria. Insulation materials for buildings, energy efficient windows and energy-saving electrical appliances are imported mainly from European countries and the US.
Despite the large market share of European producers in the energy efficiency and RES subsectors, the American exporters have favorable prospects for trade with Bulgarian distributors and representatives in that business. The long term experience and high-tech equipment, combined with the generally more efficient marketing techniques used by US producers provide grounds for future expansion of US presence on the Bulgarian market.

For More Information on Market Entry, Key Contacts and Distribution Channels:
Please contact Emily Taneva at the U.S. Commercial Service office in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Phone: 359-2939-5770
Fax: 359-2939-5735
Website: www.buyusa.gov/your_office

The U.S. Commercial Service — Your Global Business Partner
With its network of offices across the United States and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and
international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://www.export.gov/

Complied by Emily Taneva
September 19,2006

For most, starting their own eco friendly business is a chance to help the environment, while for others, it represents a solid investment and a chance to make some cold hard cash. There are plenty of opportunities for the environmentally conscious entrepreneur; the only questions are about how to actually start an eco friendly business.

The steps to starting an eco friendly business are not very different from starting any other business, however, there are a few important steps that the eco friendly entrepreneur has to consider before going forth with any business plan.

How to Start an Eco Friendly Business – The First Step

As with any new business, eco friendly or otherwise, everything starts with an idea. Believe it or not, there are plenty of websites on the Internet dedicated to providing individual entrepreneurs with unique eco friendly business ideas. Whether you’re looking to sell biodegradable grocery bags or you’re looking to establish an eco friendly moving company, these sites can help you find an idea.

Beyond simply coming up with an idea, the smart entrepreneur will more than likely conduct some research around his or her city to find out what eco friendly businesses and services currently exists, and which ones are currently in demand. This way, the competition isn’t too high, but the opportunities are.

How to Start an Eco Friendly Business – The Business Plan

Once an idea has been decided upon, the next step is to develop the idea enough to form a business plan. The business plan is designed to help get business running, and keep it running, in the manner that is best for the business (United States Small Business Administration). By having a business plan in place, you will place yourself in a position to secure financing, promote growth, and continue running your business the way you see fit.

How to Start an Eco Friendly Business – The Next Steps

With the idea and the business plan solidly in place, the eco friendly business entrepreneur should also consider getting the business certified (Business.gov). In the world of green businesses, there is no better way to attract environmentally conscious consumers than by being certified as environmentally friendly. Besides differentiating an eco friendly business from all the rest, certification encourages trust and faith in the products or services that an eco friendly business provides. Certification allows an eco friendly business to sell and market products that are green or eco friendly in an official manner.

Maintaining a successful eco friendly business also depends greatly on the practices and procedures of an eco friendly company. What does this mean? This means that an eco friendly business cannot rely simply on selling or providing environmentally friendly services and products, they also have to use environmentally friendly procedures in the course of their daily operations. In the world of the eco business, image is everything. As a result, it is important for any eco friendly business to be socially responsible and energy efficient (Dawson). Every eco friendly business should consider:

• Recycling
• Conserving water
• Minimizing waste and pollution
• Become a member of environmental organizations
• Buy green or eco friendly products
• Use eco friendly products in the building process
• Follow all environmental rules and regulations

References
Dawson, C. Green Property: Buying, Developing and Investing in Eco-Friendly Property, and Becoming More Energy Efficient. London: Thanet Press Ltd., 2008
Starting and Managing a Business. 19 June 2008. Business.gov The Official Business Link to the U.S. Government. 14 July 2008 http://www.business.gov/guides/startup/
U.S. Small Business Administration. 14 July 2008. The United States Small Business Association. 14 July 2008 http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html?cm_sp=ExternalLink-_- Federal-_-SBA

Retailers are taking note that today’s consumers are more and more environmentally conscious, and as a result, they have taken steps to make their companies more eco friendly. As the demand for eco friendly companies also grows, there is a new push on the part of entrepreneurs to find funding for their individual eco companies.

Funding for Eco Companies – How and Where to Start

Depending on the product or service that an eco company is looking to produce or provide, there are a variety of places to begin looking for funding. Included in the basic list of sources of funding for eco companies are private investors, large corporations, government agencies, and of course environmental organizations.

• Private Investors – Perhaps the best place to find funding for eco companies is through private investors. Besides having access to great sums of money, private investors are often not tied down by individual stockholders and boards of directors (Wenzel). Most of the time, private investors are free to invest their money in just about any venture they deem worthwhile. Everyone wants to make a return on his or her investment, and today’s eco conscious investors represent the perfect place to start looking for funding.

• Large Corporations – From auto companies to oil companies, large corporations are always looking for an edge in their particular market or industry (Dorsey). Anyone who is at the head of an eco company would be well served to appeal to these well known as “powerful” corporations for help in funding their research and development. With the green movement in full swing, large corporations are eagerly looking for any investment that will help them look more appealing to today’s eco conscious consumers.

• Environmental Organizations – Who better to turn to for funding than an environmental organization? Whether you’re selling book or plastic bags, chances are there is an environmental organization that is more than willing to help you with your eco company. For these organizations, investing in an eco company is almost standard practice. If your eco company has a product that is in line with their beliefs, the sky is often the limit as far as the amount of funding that they might be willing to provide.

• Government Agencies – Government agencies probably represent the last place you should look to for funding, mostly because of the amount of red tape and bureaucracy that you will certainly have to deal with. Government agencies have strict standards and requirements regarding who, why, and how any type of funding is distributed and used, even if the funding is designed to benefit the environment.

Approaches to Finding Funding for Eco Companies

In terms of developing a method for approaching potential investors for an eco company, there really isn’t much difference between how you would ask for funding for a “regular” company. Be prepared to have a business plan, as well as thorough information on the products or services your eco company will provide, how your company will specifically benefit the environment, as well as how the investor itself will benefit from investing in the company.

You may choose to take an environmental approach or an economic approach to requesting funding. That though, depends greatly on the source of the funding. Data and measurements may work for a government agency or an environmental organization, but a private investor or a bank will want to see how the investment will affect their organization’s bottom line.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References
Dorsey, P. The Little Book That Builds Wealth: The Knockout Formula for Finding Great Investments. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008.
Wenzel, E. “Diaper Companies Wrap Up Funding.” CNET News. 4 December 2007. 12 July 2008. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9828740-54.html?hhTest=1

In this 1975 essay, Umberto Eco asks a variety of questions regarding the truth about ecology. Inspired by a trip to the world famous San Diego Zoo, Eco questioned whether or not humans (or American’s in particular) were ready to face the truths behind the concept of ecology. He argued that to the untrained or the uneducated, ecology is nothing more than an exaggerated and untruthful version of reality (Eco). Most of what we perceive as being related to ecology and ecological thought and philosophy is artificial, unreal, and nothing short of an outright lie.

Places like the San Diego Zoo do more to encourage an atmosphere of falsehoods, lies, and hyperreality than to discourage it, at least according to Umberto Eco. Eco discussed mankind’s efforts to create something that is better than the original - more real than real, more beautiful than beauty, more natural than nature. Umberto Eco referred to this as the “Absolute Fake.” As humans, we always feel that we can do things better than Mother Nature can. As a result, we lose touch with the real aspects of our world, including the environment, and come to look upon nature with disappointment when it is unable to give us the same experiences that an artificially created world can.

Humans it seems are not truly interested in real ecology. Today, our fascination is with artificially created environments, reproductions, and fantasies. The truth about ecology and the environment is not as romantic and as convenient as we want it to be, and thus, we continue to promote a love of a false natural world, despite outward appearances to the contrary. As nature and the environment become more and more fictionalized, so does human culture and society as a whole. Humanity’s need to provide and create the perfect perception of the environment is erasing and ignoring the reality of the world we live in.

To Umberto Eco, this increasingly fake and artificial view of the natural world may be used as a way for humans to escape the realities of every day life, but in doing so, it also move humans farther and farther away from what makes the human (Eco). This need to escape is but a falsehood, and despite the imperfections, reality it seems is still the best and most acceptable alternative.

Humans have placed entirely too much faith in fakes and falsehoods, especially when it comes to ecology. Artificial zoos and enclosures may be more convenient, but they are not real, and as such, have no true essence. Still, human society is drawn to these fakes, despite the fact that they have nothing real to offer.

In his views on ecology, Umberto Eco argues that going to a zoo or taking a walk through a park or preserve does not make you an ecologist, and at the same time, a nature preserve is nothing close to being natural. You have to experience nature and the natural world as it is, not as humans think it should be. The natural world is not perfect and not convenient, but it should be enjoyed and experienced for what and how it is. Ecology does not exist behind steel bars or plexiglass windows.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References
Eco, U. Travels in Hyperreality. Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1986.
Phillips, D. “Ecocriticism, Literary Theory, and the Truth of Ecology.” New Literary History 30.3 (1999): 577-602.

Today’s employees however, are looking for more than just financial perks when choosing the company that they will give their time, energy, and talents to. There is a growing group of individuals, in particular new workers entering the workplace as well as those looking for a career change, who are considering working for companies on the basis of a company’s environmental policies. As today’s workforce becomes more environmentally educated, some of the more sought-after employees are choosing to work for companies that are pro environment – and companies are taking note. A representative from the Canadian accounting firm Fuller-Landau, which recently involved its employees in an environmental clean-up project, stated that these events are beneficial in “boosting workplace morale and will improve [the company's] efforts to attract eco-conscious workers” (Aschaiek).

Eco companies are experiencing great levels of success in recruiting

More and more, eco companies are experiencing great levels of success in recruiting smarter employees, mainly because of their environmentally friendly policies, products, and services are attractive to a new generation of environmentally conscious employees (Gunther). To these employees, eco companies represent a belief and a philosophy. As employees of an eco company, these individuals want to feel like they are part of something bigger and better than just a traditional nine to five job.

The reason for the improvement in the quality of the recruits being hired by eco companies is more than just a result of philosophy. As with any industry that experiences tremendous growth or improvement in the quality of employees, the environmental industry is full of promise and potential. As the world moves toward a more eco friendly state of existence, some of the more intelligent members of society are looking to apply their knowledge and skills to a cause that is more worthwhile. The environment needs help, and the world’s smartest people are finally starting to realize that they can help.

Eco companies are involved in making the world better for all of its residents. In many cases, employees enjoy the feeling of knowing that they are doing their part to contribute to the betterment of the environment. One Harris Poll that was given to young job-seekers found that 33 percent of Americans would be more inclined to work for a green company in comparison to one that lacked environmentally conscious policies and practices (Challenger).

Eco companies are following certain strategies in their efforts to recruit smarter, better employees. After recognizing just how important the environment is to these new recruits and potential employees, some eco companies are redesigning their websites to include a list of environmental policies that can include information on company recycling statistics, environmental awards and recognitions, as well as links to the websites of environmental organizations they support. By using focus groups, eco companies are also trying to grasp what employees are looking for in an eco company. Through surveys and questionnaires, eco companies are looking to mold their interview procedures to attract environmentally conscious employees. Changes to mission statements can also serve as an effective recruiting tool, especially considering that many potential employees will not look at a company if they cannot make it past the company’s mission statement. Some eco companies are also using extensive and strategic promotion of their environmental policies through television, radio, and the Internet to help bring in smarter employees.

Written By Martin Jauregui

References:
Aschaiek, S. “Greening the Workplace.” The Toronto Sun. 2008.
Challenger, J. “Young Job Seekers Drawn to Eco-Friendly Employers.” California Job Journal. 01 July 2007.
Gunther, M. “Tree Huggers, Soy Lovers, and Profits.” Fortune. 23 June 2003.

Eco terrorism is generally conducted in benefit or in the name of ecological, environmental, or animal rights causes. Incidents of eco terrorism usually center on issues related to animal rights, protection of resources, or disruption of specific services, and while most incidents take place within the border of the United States, eco terrorism in the UK and other countries is becoming more and more prevalent. The growth of eco terrorism in Europe is illustrated by the fact that 110 official acts eco terrorism were reported in 2002, in comparison to only 39 in 1999 (Levin).

History of Eco Terrorism

Although groups and organizations designed to defend and protect the environment have been around since the late 19th century, the concept of eco terrorism was born sometime in the 1970’s, when a few members of the organization known as Greenpeace decided to attack a series of fishing vessels. According to most environmental historians, the actions of the individuals who later became known as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are what changed the environmental defense movement forever (Liddick).

From the actions of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, several other eco terrorist organizations were born, including Earth First!, the Earth Liberation Front, the Animal Liberation Front, and Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, all of which are active today. Many of the previously mentioned organizations, including the ELF, the ALF, and SHAC all originated in England.

Eco Terrorism in the UK

Although eco terrorism in the UK generally focuses on the same targets and the same causes as eco terrorism in the U.S. and the rest of the world does, there is a difference in the amount of violence that European eco terrorists will condone and conduct in order to make a statement. Generally speaking, European eco terrorists do not shy away from any amount of physical violence.

Eco terrorism in the UK still targets logging companies, laboratories that experiment of animals, slaughterhouses, oil rigs, construction companies, meat packing plants, and stores that sell products made from certain animals, but they do so in a more extreme and physically violent manner. While eco terrorists in the United States and across the world tend to focus on the destruction of property and facilities through arson, European eco terrorists seem to have a greater tendency toward violence. In the past, members of the SHAC have taken to firebombing cars, mailing out letter bombs, and physically beating people with clubs (Liddick).

Future of Eco Terrorism in the UK

Although extreme environmental organizations continue to protect and defend the planet from “traditional” forms of environmental abuse, as the abuse evolves, so do the acts of eco terrorism. The majority of the acts of terrorism in the UK in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s were committed in the defense of animal rights, specifically targeting laboratories and factories.

Today, most of the acts of eco terrorism in the UK have taken place in the agricultural arena. From attacking farms and farming equipment on sites that grow genetically modified crops, to targeting stores that carry and sell genetically modified and enhanced products, and laboratories that conduct genetic research (Nuttall), it does indeed appear that eco terrorism in the UK is changing with the times.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References
“Eco Terrorism” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 2008.
Foreman, D. Confessions of an Eco-Warrior. New York: Crown Publishers, 1991.
Levin, M. “Flushing Out Eco-Terrorism” The American Enterprise. 30 October 2003.
Liddick, D. Eco-Terrorism: Radical Environmental and Animal Liberation Movements. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2006.
Nutall, N. “Attacks on GM Crops Spread to U.S. and France.” The London Times 02 August 1999.

The idea behind an eco challenge is relatively simple. Teams of challengers are placed in an outdoor setting and asked to compete in a variety of activities, both mental and physical. Besides testing the team members’ intellect and physical strength, the activities are designed to build teamwork and bring the individual members closer together.

The number of team members can vary, although generally, an eco challenge team typically consists of 1-5 team members. The events last several days, and can cover many miles of natural terrain.

A Brief History of the Eco Challenge

The idea of an eco challenge evolved from an older concept known as an adventure race (Caldwell). Although there are many who dispute the origins of the idea, most point to an event that dates back to the late 1960’s as the event that led to the evolution of today’s eco challenge. The event, known as the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, consisted of a team of two people covering an area twice the length of a traditional marathon over the course of two days (Adamson).

Several other events came out of the Karrimor, including the Alpine Ironman in 1980, the Alaskan Marathon Wilderness Classic in 1982, and the Raid Gauloises in 1989, which is considered the true predecessor of the modern-day eco challenge (Caldwell).

Eco Challenge and Father Mark

The father of the modern-day adventure race known as the Eco Challenge is generally considered to be Mark Burnett. Burnett, who is credited with creating some of the greatest hits in the short history of reality television, was inspired to create the Eco Challenge after reading an article describing the Raid Gauloises. Although the idea of such a competition was not new to the people of his native London, Burnett made the decision to bring the idea to the United States.

To ensure the success of his own race, Burnett put together a team and competed in several editions of the Raid Gauloises between 1992 and 1994 (Adamson). In 1995, Burnett successfully pitched his idea to television executives and the Eco Challenge was born. The initial version of the race covered an area of 370 miles within the state of Utah. More than fifty teams took part in the initial event that required them to ride horses, swim, and even hike across the desert.

The grueling nature of the Eco Challenge led to it being known as the “toughest race in the world” (Caldwell). Beyond testing the physical skills and limits of a human being, the Eco Challenge builds character, teamwork, and exposes the viewing public to some of the most magnificent natural backdrops in the world. Today, Eco Challenges have become popular with people everywhere, including schools, neighborhoods, and even businesses, which have all taken up the challenge of developing these events for the benefit of all.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References
Adamson, I. Runner’s World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2004.
Caldwell, L. Adventure Racing: The Ultimate Guide. Colorado: Velo Press, 2001.
“Mark Burnett.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2007.

Eco Friendly Furniture

As companies become more aware of the effects that they have on the natural world, they also become more willing to use and employ eco friendly products in their everyday practices. The simplest way for a company to go green and make itself more eco friendly is by using eco friendly furniture. Furniture pieces represent some of the most popular eco friendly products for companies looking to jump on the green bandwagon.

Eco friendly furniture is made with environmentally friendly materials, and created in an environmentally friendly manner. Some companies may reduce the amount of material that they use in producing a piece of furniture. Other companies may use natural, raw, and/o renewable materials when manufacturing their furniture. Some parts of the furniture can be made out of recycled materials or wood from sustainable yield forests. Some furniture manufacturers have begun using bamboo, for example, in many of their products, especially since bamboo is a renewable resource that is both visually appealing and functionally sensible.

In some companies, the production process matters more than the actual materials used. These companies take a different road to going green by producing their furniture in ways that produce little or no emissions. Manufacturers may choose to use non-toxic colors or dyes in their upholstery material, or they can also elect to put their furniture together with natural glues rather than with synthetic ones.

Other Eco Friendly Products for Companies

Besides making a move to using eco friendly furniture, companies of any size can make themselves greener in a variety of ways. The changes do not have to be as dramatic as developing a new manufacturing process, but even the smallest change can have dramatic effects on a company’s efforts to help the environment.

• Depending on what products a particular company produces, it may consider using materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or made from other recycled products in its own manufacturing process. By doing so, companies can do their part to make sure that resources that are already limited are not overused.

• Additionally, eco friendly products can be introduced to other aspects of a company. For example, a company can choose to be cleaned with green or natural products (Miller). Most companies that manufacture cleaning products are taking note of the changing attitudes toward the environment and are doing their best to develop natural-based cleaners for home and office use.

• In the company restroom, companies can choose to use eco friendly soaps, recycled toilet paper and paper towels, or hand dryers that do not use paper towels. In most cases, the installation of one electric hand dryer can save as many as 34 trees in a single year (Muhlhausen)

• Another easy way for a company to go green is to replace old light bulbs with what are known as CFL’s, or compact fluorescent light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, just one compact fluorescent light bulb can save a home or business up to $30 a year (U.S. Department of Energy). For a small business, making the change to fluorescent light bulbs can mean a savings of more than $1300.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References
Miller, L. “Products to Break the Chemical Habit and Get Eco Friendly.” The New York Times 19 July 2007.
Muhlhausen, E. “So, what’s with those electric hand dryers?” University of Columbia News Service 15 April 2008.
Roosevelt, M. “Going Green May Be L.A. Law.” The Los Angeles Times 16 February 2008.
United States Department of Energy. 5 July 2008. U.S. Department of Energy. 7 July 2008 http://www.doe.gov/energyefficiency/index.htm

The companies are looking to take advantage of the fact that consumers today have become more and more educated and concerned about the damage being done to the environment. The growth in numbers of environmentally-educated consumers has led to a strong push on the part of industries everywhere to create products and services that will attract these environmentally savvy consumers. Although economics is one motivating factor for these companies, there are some obvious benefits to the fact that these companies are looking to provide products and services that are environmentally friendly.

The movement towards producing environmentally friendly products has led to the birth of “eco companies”. Based on the purpose they serve, an eco company can be defined as a company, corporation, or organization that produces products or provides services that among other things:

• Burn cleaner
• Are made of recycled materials
• Are biodegradable
• Use less packaging
• Are made from/with renewable resources

Cleaner Burning Products

Some eco companies believe that cleaner burning products release less toxins, carcinogens, and pollutants in comparison to other products. These cleaner burning products, which are often made of natural materials, contribute less to the overall problems associated with pollution (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Recycled Materias

Most eco companies also make strong efforts to make products or packaging out of recycled materials. According to the American Forest & Paper Association, in 2006, Americans recycled 53.5 million tons of paper (United States Environmental Protection Agency). By making or packaging products in materials that is completely or partially recycled, these eco companies not only eliminate tons of material from landfills, but they also help reduce the amount of resources used.

Less Packaging

Another recent trend with eco companies has been the use of smaller or less packaging. In the past, a great deal of material was wasted in the packaging of products. Often times, this material serves no useful purpose beyond aesthetics. The trend toward smaller or fewer packaging has been adopted by companies ranging from those that produce plastic water bottles to those that make fast food packaging. Even music and movie companies have jumped on the eco bandwagon, using minimal materials to package their products.

Biodegradable Products

With so much material waste being produced each day, eco companies are always looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste that has to sit in a landfill. Some materials can take hundreds if not thousands of years to break down, while other materials can remain in a landfill forever (Stevens). As a result, eco companies often make use of biodegradable materials in their products.

Biodegradable materials have the ability to decompose in the natural environment. The very nature of these materials allows for faster decomposition, especially when the materials make their way into a landfill. In addition to speed of decomposition, biodegradable materials often release useful by-products like methane when they decompose (Stevens).

Renewable Resources

The speed at which some resources are being used up has led many eco companies to commit themselves to making their products from renewable resources. Eco companies looking to appeal to consumers who are concerned about the state of the environment often develop deals with other organizations that provide them with source materials that come from renewable or sustainable resources. Usually, this means using wood or paper products that originate in sustainable yield forests.

Sustainable yield forests meet strict environmental standards and are often certified through government or environmental organizations that attest to their commitment to not allow a resource to disappear. Most of the time, this means planting trees to replace those that have been cut down.

Written by Martin Jauregui

References:

Stevens, E.S. Green Plastics: Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2002
United States Environmental Protection Agency. 6 June 2008. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 23 June 2008 http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non- hw/muncpl/recycle.htm