101 Ways to Turn Your Business Green : The Business Guide to Eco-Friendly Profits

by Mintzer, Rich

• ISBN13: 9781599182636
• ISBN10: 1599182637
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-05
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Pr

Summary

You know why. Now, learn how.The reasons why are clear, but the bigger question is-how? From greening your business practices to implementing tangible changes and more, green experts and business owners show you more than 100 ways to quickly and cost-effectively elevate your business from good to green!Enhance your current business practices and incorporate new, eco-friendly solutions that won't break the bank or disrupt your day-to-day operations. Learn planet-saving techniques and tricks specific to your trade, and discover unique ways to turn your positive impact on the planet into increased profits! Use expert advice, examples, step-by-step instructions, real timelines and trouble-shooting tips and solutions Advance your business in the race to go green with industry-specific ideas and innovations Learn how to increase your bottom line and lower your overhead costs by implementing just a few green solutions in your business

Author Biography

Rich Mintzer is an expert in making complicated topics reader-friendly, including business, technology and environmental concerns. He has written more than 45 nonfiction books on a wide range of topics. He has also spent 20 years as a magazine journalist and the past several years writing and producing web content. ..

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Embrace the Basics	p. 1
Embrace Green	p. 3
Make a Time Commitment for Greening Your Business	p. 5
Start With an Energy Audit	p. 7
Decrease Your Carbon Footprint	p. 10
Design Your Office in an Eco-Friendly Manner	p. 11
Become an Eco-Friendly Shopper	p. 14
Start an Office Recycling Program	p. 16
Know Your Plastics (and Sort by Number)	p. 17
Tangibles	p. 21
Institute a Green Purchasing Policy	p. 23
Use Green Office Supplies	p. 24
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances	p. 26
Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting	p. 28
Upgrade and Maintain Your HVAC System	p. 30
Insulate Your Facility Properly	p. 32
Insulate or Replace Windows and Doors	p. 34
Quick Tip: Buy Air Conditioner and Vent Covers	p. 36
Quick Tip: Pool Your Office Resources	p. 37
Pool Your Resources With Other Homebased Business Owners	p. 38
Create a Green Home Office	p. 40
Quick Tip: Green Up Your Bathroom	p. 42
Natural and Renewable Energy	p. 43
Explore Passive Solar Heating and Cooling	p. 45
Consider a "Cool" Green Roof	p. 47
Quick Tip: Try Chilled Beams	p. 49
Go Solar	p. 50
Use Wind Turbine Power	p. 52
Install Eco-Friendly Flooring	p. 54
Water Conservation	p. 57
Start a "Save Water" Program	p. 59
Install a Water Filtration System	p. 61
Utilize Rainwater	p. 63
Use Indoor Plants as Natural Air Filters	p. 65
Paper and Printing (and Signage)	p. 67
Start a Paper Waste Prevention Program	p. 69
Switch to Green Printing	p. 71
Use Greener Signage	p. 73
Greener Packaging, Design, and Packing	p. 75
Implement Sustainable Packaging Policies	p. 77
Minimize and Redesign Your Packaging	p. 79
Use Eco-Friendly Packaging Labels	p. 81
Use Eco-Friendly Packing Materials	p. 83
Consider Reusable Bags Over Plastic or Paper	p. 85
Technology	p. 89
Switch to Energy-Efficient Computer Use	p. 91
When Buying New Computers, Buy Greener Models	p. 92
Start a Company-Wide Computer/Cartridge E-Cycling Program	p. 96
Quick Tip: Switch to E-Signatures	p. 98
Recycle Cell Phones for the Planet and for Charity	p. 99
Quick Tip: Use Rechargeable Batteries	p. 101
Quick Tip: Go With Voice Mail	p. 102
Less Waste and a Cleaner Work Environment	p. 105
Have a Waste Audit Done	p. 107
Quick Tip: Reduce Holiday Party Waste	p. 108
Consider Composting	p. 109
Share Your Waste	p. 111
Start an Anti-Litter Campaign	p. 113
Clean Green	p. 114
Maintain a High Level of Indoor Air Quality	p. 116
Stop Junk Mail From Coming to Your Office	p. 118
Shipping and Products	p. 121
Work With Green Vendors and Suppliers	p. 123
Quick Tip: Avoid Shipping Air	p. 125
Work With Local Suppliers	p. 127
Make Your Internal Shipping Needs Greener	p. 128
Minimize Excess Inventory	p. 129
Revamp Your Products-Get Greener	p. 131
Think Bio-Plastics	p. 134
Transportation, Travel and Telecommuting	p. 137
Make the Switch to Flex Fuel or Hybrid Cars, Vans, and Trucks	p. 139
Think Green Tires	p. 142
Get Environmental Roadside Assistance and Use Green Travel Services	p. 143
Encourage Alternative Forms of Commuting	p. 145
Create More Telecommuting Opportunities	p. 147
Think Greener Business Travel	p. 150
Offset Business Travel with Green Tags	p. 152
Intangibles	p. 155
Change the Coffee Culture in Your Office	p. 157
Quick Tip: Hold Greener Meetings	p. 58
Create a Green Team	p. 159
Produce a Sustainability Report	p. 161
Hire a Director of Sustainability	p. 163
Establish a Consumer Recycling Program	p. 165
Dress Greener	p. 167
Putting Your Best Foot Forward	p. 169
Use Green Marketing and Promotion	p. 171
Embrace Word-of-Mouth Marketing	p. 174
Conduct Surveys to Gauge Your Customers' Interest in the Environment	p. 176
Quick Tip: Minimize the Media Blitz	p. 178
Locations, Locations, and Greener Locations	p. 181
Consider Moving Into a Green Office Building	p. 183
Expanding Your Facility? Build Green	p. 186
Moving Part II: Consider a Brownfield	p. 188
Maintain Some Green Acreage	p. 191
Consider Downsizing	p. 192
Social Responsibility and Doing Better for Your People	p. 195
Start a Program of Company-Wide Volunteer Hours	p. 197
Support and Sponsor Environmental Groups and Causes	p. 198
Become a Role Model: Educate Others on Sustainability	p. 201
Become the Green Center for Your Community	p. 203
Produce a Green Newsletter	p. 204
Lobby for Green	p. 205
Attract Green Employees	p. 207
Treat Your Employees to Wellness	p. 209
Quick Tip: gift Green	p. 210
Go Organic	p. 211
Quick Tip: Create a Company Library	p. 213
Provide Green Incentives	p. 214
Look for Transparency in Certifications and Ecolabels	p. 215
Consider Socially Responsible Investing	p. 217
Buy Carbon Offsets	p. 220
Some Final Suggestions	p. 223
Rate Your Own Corporate Citizenship	p. 225
Teach Future Generations	p. 227
Don't Stop	p. 228
Putting It All Together	p. 231
Glossary	p. 235
Resources	p. 241
Index	p. 247
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