There are many ways people can contribute to environmental initiatives in big and small ways.
For those who are involved in the world of business, one option for helping protect the planet and its resources might be to get involved in ecopreneurship – which could also be thought of as green, or environmentally-friendly business.
Ecopreneurship allow you to put your business skills and knowledge to use not only for profit and the service of customers but for the sake of the environment as well.
Some thoughts from us at JonesAssociates on resources to guide you if you think ecopreneurship might be for you.
Understand What “Green Business” Means
Because of the popularity of environmental justice, many businesses may market themselves using rhetoric about ecological responsibility – but being green needs to go deeper.
- A truly green business utilizes eco-friendly practices on all levels of its operation, from site landscaping to employment practices to logistics.
- For a business to be considered environmentally committed, it has to produce green products – that is, its production should prioritize recycling, waste reduction, pollution mitigation, and minimal use of resources as much as possible and at every phase of the process.
- To be truly green, a business has to take good care of its workers, too, giving them fair wages and creating a safe, inclusive work environment.
Some Green and Eco-Friendly Business Ideas to Consider
Any kind of business can choose to go green. But there are some business types that may be especially attractive to entrepreneurs with a commitment to the earth.
- Green energy is an immensely important industry, with many different options, from solar to wind to biofuel, for creative and innovative entrepreneurs to consider.
- Consider starting a business that produces and distributes green building materials. There is an ongoing demand for building, but many of the techniques and materials presently used are the opposite of sustainable – and resource scarcity can also drive prices high.
- Use digital resources whenever possible to reduce the carbon footprint associated with paper goods and delivery fees.
- If you’re drawn to the food and beverage or hospitality industries, you might enjoy running a green restaurant, catering business, or event venue.
- There’s quite a demand for health and beauty products so this could be a good industry to get into.
- Promote green initiatives with your employees, too, by setting up a compost receptacle, providing green cleaning products, and encouraging carpooling.
The Steps to Starting Your New Green Business
It’s a lot like starting any kind of business – but with ecological awareness built into the startup process.
- Start by writing up your green business plan, complete with a budget for eco-friendly products and services, a marketing plan, and how you’ll structure your business.
- Look for grants that support green business ventures, to fund your company launch.
- Take care of the bureaucratic details: form your business as a legal entity, purchase insurance for your green business, and start a business banking account.
- Try to locate your business in an eco-friendly, walkable location. These areas help to reduce wear and tear on roads as well as emissions. They also encourage investment in your community.
- Put together a marketing strategy targeting an audience that is invested in ecological responsibility.
- If you’ve ever thought about giving yourself an edge over the competition by going back to school, check these IT certificate programs. Their flexibility means you can learn at your own pace without having to take too much time away from your new business!
As an ecopreneur, you will find so much of your work rewarding, because you’ll be putting your talent and knowledge to work furthering something you care about. Plus, you’ll be making your community a better place. Start by figuring out your niche and then implement green business practices into your daily routines. And be transparent with your clients about your eco-friendly practices on your website, so they know where you stand and can see that you’re doing more than jumping on the green bandwagon.
JonesAssociates supports companies as individuals in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and North America on new project and sustainment initiatives. If you have any questions, let us know!