Going Green Is Good for Business

Have you found something green to wear for St. Patrick's Day yet? If your workplace is full of proud Irish descendents like ours, you're likely to see a sea of green outfits in the office when March 17 rolls around. Going green isn't something small businesses should reserve only for St. Patrick's day, says columnist Rhonda Abrams in a USA Today column. Being environmentally conscious can also help you see green in your budget, Abrams says. A few energy-saving actions you can take right now include:

•Open the windows or doors. If you do this in the mornings once the weather turns warm, you might be able to avoid using air conditioning the rest of the day.
•Recycle or find innovative uses for excess inventory or waste. If your business generates lots of waste, brainstorm with employees about how to turn your trash into something useful. Donate what you can't recycle to a nonprofit agency, for instance.
•Conduct more of your business online. Save fuel by transferring funds to your bank online or sending a document to a client via e-mail instead of through a courier.

Want to know more about how being environmentally friendly can boost your business? Check out an Idea Network article in our Feb./March 2006 issue about a lumber company owner who grew his business this way.