Companies Going Green

 

There are many drivers behind the trend towards companies going green and one of the most important is market demand. Consumers are calling for changes in the products they use everyday to ensure that they are healthy and sustainable. We are increasingly looking for organically grown, Fair trade and sustainable products. The management of many companies are responding by taking a closer look at their products and making changes to meet these standards. Some companies, including fast-food giants, have already made significant changes to their offerings. They have begun cutting the amount of trans-fat or removing it from their products altogether. Other companies going green have begun offering healthier alternatives to French fries and other fattening foods. The results have been good for both the businesses and their customers.

Companies Going green are good for us, for our communities, for the planet and it’s good for business too. For many years enlightened business leaders have recognized the potential of what is commonly called the Triple Bottom Line, and that the mission of a business is not simply to add value to its shareholders but also to its community and the planet itself. In many ways, this seems like a radical concept especially if you have had a traditional business education where everything is geared towards financial profit, irrespective of the social and environmental cost. Today, fortunately, the concept of compassionate capitalism or, to use the more formal term, corporate social responsibility, is widely accepted and every sector of society, from government to non profit and the financial institutions themselves, is putting pressure on corporations to go green.

The food industry is a good example of the trend towards corporate social responsibility. The treatment of animals, used to produce the meat that most of us eat, has come under closer scrutiny. Incensed consumers recently released undercover video showing farmers using inhumane and dangerous practices in the raising, feeding and slaughtering of the animals. Several large national chains have heard their complaints and discontinued shipment of pork from some of the most egregious suppliers. Consumers and animal rights activists have rewarded these companies going green by lauding them to their followers. This leads to improved treatment for the food stock and improved bottom lines for the companies which responded quickly to customer concerns.Organizations like the Environmental Working Group has identified and publicized some of the environmental toxins to which people who raise and sell livestock are subjecting the animals and all who eat their meat. They are identifying green issues like the carbon footprints created by farmers and large corporations involved in raising food animals. They are calling for people to reduce the amount of meat in their diet and increase the amount of vegetables in it. This has led a number of national restaurant chains to adjust their menues to include more vegetables.

Companies Going Green Reduce their Footprint

One way a number of companies are adjusting to the new calls for a smaller carbon footprint and more wholesome, balanced meals is by becoming involved in the local food movement. Some large chains are now making agreements with local farmers to provide fresh local foods that do not require large amounts of fossil fuels to move them from the farms to the restaurants. By making this commitment not only does the environment benefit, these companies going green have resulted in benefits for the consumer, the farmer and the restaurants as well. The change has shown how businesses, researchers, activists and consumers can work together to make going green a reality. And the rewards are immense including more sustainable food production, the revitalization of the local economy and healthier food which leads to improved health and reduced obesity. It is positive news all round!

More efficient use of energy is an important step in companies going green. Not only is their cutting down the amount of energy they use important, but creating products which help the mass market to use less energy is also essential. One company has made significant inroads by investing in the design and production of new energy-efficient light bulbs. Not only do the light bulbs help people to save energy, the company, Philips Lighting North America , has received a $10 million cash prize and stands to make even more as consumers become aware of and embrace the bulbs. The clear message is that even the largest corporations can do well by doing good.

Transport, especially work vehicles, can have a very damaging impact on the environment. Most run on non-renewable fossil fuels and release destructive pollution, carbon emissions and waste products into the atmosphere. Some companies have begun to do something about that. One Southern California company is employing a simple solution. They have begun using 25 new trucks which run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The vehicles produce up to 30% less emissions and save on operating costs which the company passes along to its customers. By taking such forward thinking action the company is able to help the environment, their customers and themselves. An added advantage is that companies going green can achieve invaluable PR as the media is always seeking examples of green.

Solar energy is the most plentiful renewable resources on the planet. There are currently a number of technologies which allow people to harness energy from the sun. Solar energy systems provide clean, emission free energy and can save an enormous amount on power costs. Home-owners are even able to sell the excess solar energy they capture to local utilities. Studies have also shown having a solar system added to a home’s resale value. The money spent installing the solar system can be easily recouped when the house is sold and the environment benefits from the clean energy generated by the system. Companies that build and market these homes benefit themselves, the ecology of the planet and their customers.

Companies Going Green are Changing our Future

Going green is important for the future of the economy and our civilization. Companies going green can provide necessary leadership in the green movement, work wonders for the environment, significantly improve their bottom lines and show they are excellent corporate citizens. Here at Bright Green Talent we believe that within 20 years these enlightened corporations will no longer be the exception, but they will be the rule by which all business is judged.

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