It seems that every time you turn your head you find another company that has done something to "go green". Are they really doing it for the well-being of the environment and the community? Or are they doing it to improve their bottom line? Maybe they feel peer pressured by the other companies that are going green and are afraid they will lose market share by consumers choosing greener companies.
In the end, does it really matter? It seems to be a win-win for everyone involved. In fact, there are even businesses being created to market to other businesses that want to go green.
Check back next week for ways that companies are going green and how yours can do the same.
5 comments:
Jessica, I agree that it is a win-win situation. I happen to think companies are evolving to a more "green" status for all of the reasons you mentioned. The green issue appears to be a legitimate buzz concept these last couple years, and businesses (I would bet) are attempting to capitalize on that assumption, and using the opportunity to connect with customers, or potential customers.
Also, like it or not companies do have a social responsibility to conduct their operations with the environment's best interest in mind. That of course depends on the industry as to how direct the impact on the environment will be, but at the very least, acknowledging their intentions to contribute in their own way, to greener operations is sufficient. I think there are enough Watch-dog groups, non-profits, etc. whose job is to hold companies accountable, those who declare their green intentions.
Originally I was going to skeptical about companies actually going green in my original comment based off of what I have seen and heard from news sources. However, I did a little research about what I believed to be the "bad guy" when I think of going green, China, and discovered some interesting news. In this article, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/5258622/Is-China-really-going-green.html, it talks about how China is making huge leaps at becoming more green by 2020 and it doesn't seem like propaganda. I think you are onto something with your topic and I look foward to reading more of your posts about going green if you choose to stick with it.
Jessica, I think that all of the reasons you point out are valid ones for companies to go green. I think some companies are realizing that what's good for the environment is good for them, too, but like a lot of business decisions the activities have to be good for the bottom line. And there is pressure from customers and from other companies to keep up. My company manufactures ice machines, and we are specifically asked by our customers about our Energy Star rating, something that one of our competitors touts in their advertisements. Although going green to help the bottom line or by being pressured into is isn't as altruistic as we'd like to think, is it bad if that's what gets us there? Unfortunately,though, the pressure to "be green" has also created "greenwashing," or making misleading claims about the environmental friendliness of products. This video points out the six sins of greenwashing by showing the types of claims some companies will try to make. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnh1Y06DGCs It's eye opening.
Going green is definitely the buzz word these days. There are many different things companies can do to go green. One of the goals is to reduce your carbon footprint and become eco-friendly. Due to all of this talk about going green, there are various companies that have emerged that help companies go green and even offer "Green Certificates" based on how green you are. One of these companies is Green Seal (www.greenseal.org). Many companies are looking for these "Green Certificates" to, as Collett mentioned, attract customers who are looking to buy from companies that are green. Is it really possible to go completely green? I doubt it. But every little bit that can be done is a step in the right direction.
In Reading the Berks County Community Foundation built a green building. You can see it at www.bccf.org.
If you are looking at green, you may want to keep an eye out for pending cap and trade legislation.
Jessica,
I feel as though the reasons behind companies "going green" are two-fold. Yes, they will receive tax breaks for going green but it is also a way for those companies to give back to the community that is supporting them.
Whatever the reason, yes, I feel as though it is a win-win for everyone involved.
Speaking about my company in particular, new schools that are built are "green" schools. We have a school in Lauderhill, FL where the floors are made from recycled tires. This not only is good for the environment but it is also much more comfortable to stand on. For those students/staff that are on their feet all day, this is a very nice outcome of being "green".
Empire has also made efforts to help fight the oil spill. http://www.theindychannel.com/news/23466098/detail.html
Is Empire's bottom line benefiting from their efforts? I am sure. But, it also is giving those involved a sense of pride in what they are doing to help. It is especially motivating to our students to be able to make a difference.
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