Benefits of Green Business
Green business is smart business. Going green provides bottom line cost savings, as well as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. It allows your company to act proactively to address new environmental requirements from vendors and suppliers, while getting ahead of upcoming legislation. A solid environmental program also attracts the highest quality employees to your company and keeps those that you have happy and healthy. Green companies operate their businesses to meet their needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. To learn more about business eco-advantages, select the links below to review relevant articles and case studies.
Improve Profitability with Cost Savings
- Reduce energy and other resource usage and costs (GE)
- Recycle and minimize waste (Waste Management)
- Optimize the supply chain (EPA Lean and Green Supply Chain)
- Take advantage of rebates and incentives
- Use effective remote collaboration technologies to minimize expensive business travel (Cisco)
Capitalize on Competitive Advantage
- Attract new green consumers and open new markets (BBMG)
- Garner interest from the investment community (Dow Jones Sustainability Index)
- Outperform competitors (Grocery Stores)
- Improve company reputation and brand image (Fair Trade USA)
- Enhance customer, supplier, vendor and other stakeholder perceptions (Home Depot)
- Certify as a green business (Bay Area Green Business Program)
- Create innovative, environmentally focused products and services (Patagonia)
Mitigate Risk
- Meet legal requirements (WEEE)
- Meet legal requirements (RoHS)
- Anticipate new regulations (Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan)
- Address new supplier and vendor environmental requirements (Wal-Mart)
- Engage stakeholders proactively (Teracycle)
Retain and Attract Top Talent
- Increase productivity (UPS)
- Recruit top talent (Stanford Business School)
- Improve employee morale and retention (REI)
- Promote a healthier and safer work environment (3M)
Make the World a Safer and Healthier Place
- Reduce environmental impacts (Herman Miller)
- Practice corporate social responsibility (Honest Tea)
- Build community goodwill (Panera)