Archive for the ‘Green Business’ Category

Raising Cattle is becoming a Green Business. Ranchers are adapting greener measures to leave less of a footprint while conserving water, protecting endangered species of animals, plants and the land from overgrazing. Check it out…

bibi

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This economy has caught many people by surprise. Many have lost their jobs or their businesses to the unexpected downturn. If you really look at the situation in hindsight it was inevitable. Among other human missteps of late, part of the reason for the downturn, is our dependence on oil. It was bound to come back and bite us in the you know what eventually, just like it did back in the seventies. Our refusal to learn the lesson is bound to repeat itself over and over unless we put an end to the dependence on oil, and move on to other forms of energy. Luckily we have a president that seems to be interested in making this happen. I’m sure that part of this infrastructure plan involves Green infrastructure.

Which bring us to the question, why not look at the bad economy as an opportunity? Maybe it’s time for a turn around, a time for Greenies like us to look into not only helping the planet but making a living at it too. Here is a list of Green Start-ups put out by Entrepreneur Magazine:

• Eco-tourism Travel Guide: Eco-tourism travel has caught fire with people that care about the environment and the impact that they can make on that environment both ecologically and socially. This would include activities such as adventure sports, wilderness adventure trips, nature travel and education. This venture is for someone who loves to travel and is or can become a knowledgeable guide who can organize “Genuine Green Trips”. With a relatively small initial investment and the commitment learn and to teach people about their impact on natural systems and native communities, this can be turned into a viable business.
• Green Advertising Agency: The Green Trend is gaining ground and businesses will need of advertisers specializing in getting the message out about their commitment to sustainability. Anyone with experience in graphic design, media, communications and sustainability can make a go of this.
• Green Start-up Finance Broker:Someone with a financial background and connections could delve into a business that finds investment money for new Green businesses.
• Green Home Remodeling: A person with knowledge of building, redecorating, interior design and sustainable materials could find a place in the home remodeling niche. Green building and remodeling has become smart and chic, helping people realize the energy efficiency and safety of their space would become quite profitable. I’m sure most people have seen those commercials about mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a commonly used building material of the past. Just like asbestos there are many other toxic materials used in building that can be avoided, and people are becoming more informed and interested in living and working in these toxic-free environments.
• Green Cleaning Services: Green Janitorial Companies are sprouting up everywhere. Cleaning a space without all those nasty chemicals and fumes is a concept that is catching on quickly. There is a growing demand for cleaning services that perform their function without harming the environment or the people that work or live in these spaces. Schools are a niche that could be sought out.
• Eco-Salon:The health and beauty industry and their wide use of chemicals may be a thing of the past. Now come the Eco-Salons or healthy salons that provide healthy alternatives to the chemical laden treatments of the past. Salons and Day Spas Non-toxic substitutes are now widely available and becoming the trend.
• Eco-Friendly Furniture: Whether you are a designer or a retailer of furniture, this niche could be something for you. With all the materials ending up in the landfill, there is a need for artistic and innovative people to come up with furniture options for all these materials. And with a more conscientious society furniture made with eco-friendly and recycled materials is catching on.
• Low- Water Landscaping: For those with a green thumb, this business could be something for you. Developing landscaping that requires low-water use. Landscaping can be beautiful, but it can also be very expensive when it comes to water usage. Water conservation is big, very popular especially in the dryer states of the west. Xeriscaping as it’s called, is not hard to sell, when you can show your customers that by using drought tolerant plants they can save up to 50% in their water consumption, they are beautiful and easy to take care.
• Green B&B: The Green B&B is not your typical hotel, it is a business that incorporates some of the other businesses mentioned earlier. It uses sustainable building materials, green cleaning materials that are non-toxic to it’s guests. Readily offers recycling opportunities, uses the local organic fair, employs water conservation throughout the garden and in the toilets and sinks. Energy efficiency throughout with sensor lights, and also asks the guest to participate in the green experience.

bibi

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If your in Atlanta the weekend of November 14/15 go check out the Broadcast Atlanta ENVIRO EXPO USA. It will be held at AmericasMart Convention Center. This environmental event is free.
Enjoy…

BroadcastAtlanta ENVIRO EXPO USA
Nov. 14-15, 2008
AmericasMart
240 Peachtree Street N.W. Building 3
Atlanta, GA 30303

Attend the region’s most diverse display of eco-friendly products and services, and hear experts share how to live a green lifestyle. Experience eco-friendly food, apparel, cosmetics, household, furniture and lawn and garden products. Indulge in organic food and home products, including olive oil, baby food, chocolate, honey, fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables, granola, and organic soap at the region’s most diverse display ofeco-friendly food, apparel, cosmetics, furniture, and lawn and garden products. Learn about green businesses in the water, energy, transportation, remodeling, recreation, and green-financing industries.

Attend University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service gardening demonstrations.

The Broadcast Atlanta ENVIRO EXPO USA will also feature:

• Green Hall Meeting- Learn how to Green It Up with community sustainability leaders, a town hall-style discussion with sustainability experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, local government agencies and area environmental organizations on Saturday, November 15^th from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
• More than 20 expert speakers discussing topics ranging from eco-conscious landscaping to everyday water conservation.
• Activities for kids including, an appearance by the Radio Disney Street Team from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Also, children can participate in a bicycle-recycle relay, a Nike shoe throw and learn how Nike turns recycled shoes into basketball and tennis courts.

The Green Hall Meeting- Learn how to Green It Up with community sustainability leaders, is being held in conjunction with the Broadcast Atlanta ENVIRO EXPO USA on Saturday, November 15, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the atrium of the AmericasMart facility. This town hall-style discussion gives attendees an opportunity to ask questions of and learn from sustainability experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, local government agencies and area environmental organizations. The Green Hall Meeting will focus on identifying the issues that Atlantans face on local, state, and national levels in terms of creating a more sustainable environment and identifying the key resources that can solve those issues. Lynette Young of Sustainable Atlanta will moderate the discussion, which will include:

· Joe Bassista, City of Atlanta,

· Randy Hartmann, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

· Shana Udvarsky, Atlanta Water Department.

Join in the family fun and activities. Children can participate in a
bicycle-recycle relay and a Nike shoe throw, and they can see how Nike
turns recycled shoes into basketball and tennis courts. They also can
watch UGA Coop Extension Service gardening demonstrations to learn how to  make compost.
Free and open to the public. Visit www.enviroexpousa.org or call 770-517-0447

bibi

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If your in Atlanta the week of Oct 7th stop by the GreenBusiness Works Expo. It is being held Oct 7th and 8th. at the Cobb Galeria Center in Atlanta Georgia. It is a comprehensive environmental EXPO designed to educate corporations and municipalities about sustainability programs, services and products available to support their environmental stewardship efforts.

If you are in any of these professions or positions then you should attend or send someone from your company to represent.

• Corporate Sustainability Officers and Environmental Managers
• US Mayors and other Elected Officials
• Facility Managers, Supervisors and Building Service Contractors
• Hospitality Industry Leaders including Hotel, Restaurant and Entertainment District Managers
• Development Community
  • Developers, Builders, and Contractors Architects and Engineers
  • Commercial and Residential Interior Designers

• Facility Managers, Supervisors and Building Service Contractors
• Hospitality Industry Leaders including Hotel, Restaurant and Entertainment District Managers
• Meeting and Event Planners
• Bankers and Environmental Financiers and Real Estate Brokers
• Warehouse, Plant and Project Managers
• Fleet Directors and Managers
• Marketing and Communication Officers
• Human Resource Managers

Available at the expo will be Speakers, Roundtable Experts, and the trade show exhibition.

Keynote speakers will be:

Scott Seydel
President, The Seydel Companies
Board of Directors Chairperson, Global Green USA

and

Andy Savitz
Sr. Consultant, Sustainable Business Strategies

Attend and get your business involved to learn from leading experts who have already practiced sustainability successfully through exclusive educational programs, networking opportunities, best practices, leading case studies, and products and services that support corporate and community environmental stewardship efforts and positively impact ROI.

bibi

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Calling all restauranteurs!!!

Yep, you heard right. There is a company in Colorado called FoodServiceWarehouse.com started by an avid group of environmentalists whose mission is to help the restaurant industry to become more environmentally responsible. They have created an industry leading certification program aimed at helping commercial kitchens cope with the costs and complexities of going green. The program features educational resources, rewards and the industry’s only free certification process, modeled after, and fulfilling credits for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

In order to show their dedication in helping commercial kitchens slash energy costs, conserve water and reduce their environmental impact, they are giving away a green commercial kitchen worth up to $40,000 to one qualifying kitchen.
Here is where you can go to sign up for the Green Commercial Kitchen Giveaway…

Good Luck…

commercial kitchen giveaway leed certification

bibi

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Eco-friendly certification is an important part of a business these days, Entrepreneur Magazine put out a list of different programs that can help businesses get the Green Stamp of approval. This can help your business get some credibility with the ever increasing number of consumers that are environmentally conscious and would like the companies and products they use to be also. Here’s a way you can prove to those consumers how Green you really are.

• Green Restaurant Association: Dinegreen.com looks at all aspects of the restaurant industry.
• Green Seal: Greenseal.org works with the hospitality industry.
• Energy Star: Energystar.gov best know for certifying appliances, the EPA not only certifies products but also retail, commercial and industrial buildings and has many resources for small business looking to “wear” the Energy Star symbol.
• USDA National Organic Program: Ams.USDA.gov/NOP

• Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest-Alliance.org works with farmers and foresters to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses.
• U.S. Green Building Council: USGBC.org rates on building on their building materials, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
• Green Advantage Environmental Certification: Greenadvantage.org certifies builders, contractors and sub-contractors who build green structures.
• Greenguard Environmental Institute: Greenguard.org certifies consumer products, building materials, and construction design.
• Cradle to Cradle: C2Certified.com certifies materials to manufacturing processes to ensure social and environmental responsibility.
• Science Certification Systems: SCScertified.com certifies office furniture, wood products, cleaning products, and building materials.

bibi

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