Unless Musk succeeds in making us a multi-planetary species, there is nowhere for us to go but our beloved planet. Even if he does, the urge to build and grow green businesses is critical for the future! So, as an act of collective responsibility, we will be talking about business environmental sustainability. And we also will be sharing with you some ideas if you want to start yours and help make a better world for the next generations.
So, let's get started!
Green Businesses: Meaning & Importance
For a long time, humanity took earth's natural resources for granted. People could never imagine that we would run out of coal or drinkable water! No one could ever imagine that the Amazon Forests will lose 28% of its surface to fire while the U.S midwest is drowning in tremendous floods! Yet, both, unfortunately, happened just in 2019.
There is no blur or fog that we are balancing the natural systems with our irresponsible industries and activities. But we can change that simply by encouraging more green businesses to flourish!
What is a green business?
A green business relies on natural and recyclable materials to manufacture its product while using as little water and energy as possible. The green businesses' main goal is to fulfill a human need, without contributing to global warming, or at least to reduce the waste of natural resources and production of greenhouse gases.
Is it as important and urgent as it seems?
Unless you would stare at a point-blank and act nihilistic, there is no wonder that environmental sustainability in business is the hip move and the right thing to do! It is morally speaking correct, and it is financially speaking very rewarding!
In other words, if you go green, you would be socially responsible while making an income! You will make money while making our planet less polluted. To me, that is a win-win-win-win for you, nature, planet, humans, animals, and anything around you that you can think of!
So, what are you waiting for? Do you want examples and ideas? We got you on that! But first, let us check some more practical perks and reasons for why you should consider green businesses.
Reasons Why You Should Opt for a Green Business
• Reducing expenses & increasing income
If you launched a startup or know someone who is launching one, you would be aware of how critical it is to stick to a reasonable initial budget. Green businesses understand that well!
Going green means less power and water consumption, which results in smaller monthly bills! Energy Star assures that green businesses and eco-friendly production systems consume 40% to 70% less than the old-fashioned modus operandi!
You also will waste less material, consume less water, and most importantly, you will benefit from tax advantages and incentives!
Most businesses struggle to find ways to minimize their taxes. Most here means all but green ones! That is because most governments are encouraging businessmen to establish green businesses by offering tax privileges, incentives for energy efficiency, and deductions for less CO2 release.
• It is a new market = less competition
Building a competitive brand in the digital world is becoming easier and harder every year at the same time. That is because the Internet-enabled everyone to build a website with a personal logo and call themselves a firm! It is that easy! But after some time, these brand wannabes lose the heat, waste time and effort, and get devoured by gigantic competitors.
The market is still fresh, and very few brands -relatively speaking- are doing a great job. Also, people are gaining more awareness over how important it is to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. And that begins with consuming products created by green firms like your future one!
So, grant your audience a green customer experience, seamless buyer’s journey, and good natural products, and they will come back and bring new clients with them.
Moreover, green businesses tend to help one another grow rather than compete. That is because environmental business sustainability is a mindset that puts global needs and the planet’s wellness over personal ones. So, go out and get that green business built already!
• The greener the company is, the more talents want to work for you
A company without talented employees and leadership will soon rust and break. It is critical to creating a business model that attracts top-tier workers to work for you rather than one that hires unprofessional.
And just like customers, workers themselves are gaining more awareness over the importance of sustainability.
And they react to that by prioritizing job offers by companies and firms that help them achieve an income while helping the planet recover.
Another thing that would attract talents to your eco-friendly business is that, by nature, this type of business tends to have a healthier working space. There is far less polluted air and toxic materials to interact with than in an old manufactory. So, employees will sense that and reward you with loyalty, efficiency, and consistency.
In a nutshell, a green business is like a magnet: it attracts loyal customers just as much as it attracts a talented workforce.
Examples of Environment-Friendly Businesses
• Energy efficiency consultant
An energy efficiency consultant is a very recent role that proves critical in our modern world. It is one of the few ‘consultant’ roles that didn't require a college degree or professional training!
You can finish a few courses online and get an e-certificate. Then you may want to work with a couple of companies for free to boost your resume. And the final step? You can start reaching out to companies telling them about your services!
You would be surprised how many business owners will love to talk to you. That is because, as an energy efficiency consultant, you are helping businesses and homeowners minimize energy consumption and thus their bills! And nobody is expected to say no to that!
Moreover, you can sell online training and courses and even write articles and guest posts for different websites if you are into writing too! That way, you are helping businesses go green, producing very little to no polluting chemicals, and still making a good income!
• Making reusable grocery bags
It is not surprising to know that over 77 nations have banned plastic bags, and at least 50 more have increased plastic-bags taxation radically. This means it is only a matter of time until all grocery stores and consumers will alike switch to an alternative solution: reusable bags.
This means you are being presented with a great business idea that only needs the perfect execution! It is now the best time to start an eco-friendly bags business. And you can even go extra eco-friendly by using natural, recyclable, and plastic-free materials such as palm trees’ palms fiber and/or hemp fiber.
But you can always start small and ship a bunch of these bags from Chinese Manufacturers and re-sell them locally. Yet, this is something you should aim at avoiding in the long run because shipping and Chinese manufacturers are not on good terms with green businesses!
• Responsible landscaping consultant
That is another emerging role that is just as critical as the former friend (energy efficiency consultant). Landscaping is a 40 billion dollar industry in the U.S alone! And 80% of U.S houses have green lawns around their homes. But the shocking fact is: home lawn in the U.S consumes more water than all the cornfields there combined!
It is so crazy that you can start a business to help people find new ways to practice responsible landscaping! You can teach people how to landscape consumable greens that are visually appealing and are less water-consuming!
In other words, you help landscapers and gardeners decrease water consumption, reduce the need to buy greens from stores, pay less for monthly bills, improve their garden’s visual appeal, and still make money!! As crazy as it seems, it is doable and scalable!
You can even start a YouTube channel or a blog where you experiment in gardening and teach people what you discover! These will help you get new customers & increase your income passively.
• Raising and selling insects
Not something that will make your wife or girlfriend happy (or you most probably won’t like it if you are a woman), but raising insects is just as eco-friendly as profitable!
Raising insects like ladybugs, bees, butterflies… and selling them to farmers is pretty fun and scalable! It is eco-friendly because you are selling insects; natural insecticides!
A lot of bugs feed on the eggs of other unwanted insects. That means fewer toxins spraying on the food we eat, and less need for these toxins production! In other words, you increase natural pollination and fertilization while reducing air, soil, and human bodies pollution.
And before you jump on and assume you need a lot of space, let me shock you by saying you can start this business in your backyard or garage! It is not an article about growing bugs, so we can’t dive into that, but it is enough that we put a bug in your ear! It is your job to go and get more info about the business and launch it! We wish you good luck.
Conclusion
The need for alternative solutions and eco-friendly products is currently growing and is expected to grow faster in the coming decades. It is pretty recommendable to get your head around a green business idea, make an action plan, and execute! Who knows, maybe we will be one of your most loyal customers!
If it's about you, it's about us.